WBA Policy Center
Washington’s long-term care program needs more than a short-term delay
By Kris Johnson When the Legislature convened the 2022 session last month, lawmakers made long-term care their first order of business. It’s probably not a topic you thought about much until recently, but news that every employee in the state (except for some who were able to opt-out — more about that in a moment) would begin paying a new tax on Jan. 1 caught people’s attention. Amid an outcry from employees…
Read MoreInslee administration restricts agri-tourism, threatens family farms
Washington continues to witness positive trends as hopeful data emerges on the spread of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the state. However, despite the good news, Governor Jay Inslee’s administration has placed additional regulatory burdens on Agri-tourism and family farms. Under the Administration’s new restrictions, customers cannot touch or view animals. Hayrides, games, and touching farm…
Read MoreWhere to find fact-based industry data in Whatcom County
Local business leaders, small-business owners and voters have relied on Whatcom Business Alliance to advocate on their behalf since 2013. It has become WBA’s role in the community to help stakeholders in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and throughout Whatcom County access policy information and fact-based research during key decision-making periods. When important issues arise in Whatcom…
Read MoreWBA policy highlights: What we’re watching for you
Good policy is critically important to a healthy community. And, as we’ve discussed in the past, a good understanding of policy also is integral to community success. That’s because local business leaders — that’s you — need to be able to make sense of local policies in order to get involved in issues that matter…
Read MoreWhere to find honest reports about local policy
Policy. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “policy” as “a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body.” Essentially, policy is the set of laws, regulations and standards that affect how government operates in a community. Good policy is critical to the health of the community. But where does good…
Read MoreCherry Point wages are twice the county average
The average annual wage in the Cherry Point Industrial Zone is more than double the average wage in Whatcom County as a whole. According to the 2019 Employment at Cherry Point study prepared by Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research, the average wage at Cherry Point of $110,690 dwarfs the county average…
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