Posts Tagged ‘Advocacy’
Initiative 1631 REJECTED
Initiative 1631 Update! Nov. 6, 2018 — Much of the statewide Election interest was focused on initiatives. Voters rejected Initiative 1631, a proposed carbon fee on fossil-fuel emissions, with 56.3% of ballots opposing. The Whatcom Business Alliance (WBA) takes positions on issues only after it has cut through the propaganda, vetted the facts and has…
Read MoreWhy the Whatcom Business Alliance supports Initiative 1634
ELECTION UPDATE: Initiative 1634 APPROVED! Much of the statewide interest was focused on initiatives. Initiative 1634, which would block Washington cities from enacting new food and beverage taxes, has comfortably passed with support from 54.8% of voters. BACKGROUND On November 6, 2018, voters in Washington State will be asked to weigh in on Initiative 1634.…
Read MoreNavigating water and property rights in the state of Washington
originally published April 11, 2017— “Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” ― Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Washington State can feel like this sometimes. Though it seems abundant, water isn’t necessarily always available for use ― even for those who…
Read MoreRecent decisions severely impact property owners
originally published March 27, 2017— By: Jim McKinney, Executive Director, Common Threads Northwest The WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL moratoriums on Cherry Point industrial growth and drilling previously exempt home-use wells have a dramatic impact on our economy and tax base. They cost businesses and individual property owners hundreds of millions of dollars. Because of the Council…
Read MoreStep Up for Business Advocacy: Update
[Originally published March 2017] Take Action to Support Cherry Point The saga continues! The Cherry Point Amendment to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan is being introduced to the full Council on Tuesday, March 21st with the anticipated vote scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th. The language moving forward continues to concern the Cherry Point businesses: the…
Read MoreWill paid family and medical leave be the next labor mandate imposed on Washington’s employers?
originally published March 2017 in Business Pulse magazine– Erin Shannon | Center for Small Business & Labor, WPC Imposing a paid family and medical leave law has emerged as the business issue du jour this legislative session in the Washington state capitol. While Washington state already has a paid family leave law, it never has…
Read MoreLocal Elections Matter
originally published March 2017— First turnover of County Council under new system holds profound implications with 4 seats open By Business Pulse magazine staff One of the most important elements of any democracy is how representatives are elected. It is no less important here in Whatcom County. In 2015 County voters approved significant changes to…
Read MoreWe can balance economic prosperity and environmental stewardship
originally published March 2017— By Tony Larson, President Whatcom Business Alliance Most reasonable people understand there are trade-offs on most important decisions. Few decisions provide all benefit with no costs. Decisions that impact our community are typically no different. Particularly when the goal is to balance our economic prosperity and environmental stewardship. Many believe it…
Read MoreForest health: How to assess our new state Lands Commissioner
originally published Jan 2017– We need to be taking a more proactive role in restoring our forest health.” These words from newly-elected Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz highlight something people do not typically associate with forestry politics: scientific consensus. Quietly, over a decade, the last two lands commissioners – one from each party –…
Read MoreWhatcom County Council has a choice: Is Cherry Point open for business, or not?
originally published Jan. 2017— Whatcom County Council has a choice: Is Cherry Point open for business, or not? John Huntley, president of Mills Electric in Bellingham, found himself recently in a place he never thought he’d be – in a room full of people on a snowy night, standing in front of the Whatcom County…
Read More