Published June 2004

2004 legislative session disappointing for business

By Louise Stanton-Masten
Guest Editorial

In 2004, Washington state once again learned firsthand how a divided Legislature can result in gridlock and missed opportunities to move our economy forward. Our state economy is slowly recovering from one of the worst recessions in recent history, yet businesses operating in our state still stagger under the burden of government regulations and a taxing structure that continues to drive businesses out of state to survive.

We must continue our fight to make Washington a competitive place to do business. That’s why the Joint Government Affairs Committee of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce — this year joined by the Monroe and Granite Falls chambers — publishes a Legislative Report Card.

Before the beginning of each legislative session, this joint business advocacy group proposes a legislative agenda that represents the business, employment and economic development goals of our chambers’ members. This agenda is approved by the respective chamber boards of directors and presented to state legislators. During the session, the committee actively supports bills important for business and tracks how our legislators vote.

This year’s scorecard summary: The 2004 session was, in many ways, a disappointing year for business. The joint chamber committee identified 44 important bills. Only 15 made it out of committee in their house of origin to be heard in the opposite house.

We believe divided control — the Democrat majority in the House of Representatives and the Republican majority in the Senate — strongly impacted this disappointing showing. It was the state Senate and its leadership that distinguished itself by supporting business issues in 2004. The Senate passed 13 bills supported by the joint chamber group. Nine originated in the Senate. Only two of the nine bills, however, made it through both houses and were passed into law.

The chambers’ 2004 Legislative Report Card honors two Snohomish County senators for consistent efforts on behalf of the state’s business community. Sen. Val Stevens, R-39, and Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-44, have been named Snohomish County 2004 Business Champions. Both voted 100 percent for chamber-supported business issues this year and have voted consistently in favor of business issues, economic development initiatives and policies that secure and retain jobs.

The leadership of the House of Representatives, however, is a different story. Bills supported by the chamber group that would have improved our state’s competitive business climate passed out of the Senate only to be stalled by Democrat leadership in House committees. For that reason, the Legislative Report Card commends the leadership of the state Senate and gives the House leadership a failing grade.

Even so, within this disappointing climate a number of local members of the House consistently led the fight for legislation that supports economic development and helps preserve and protect jobs. Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-10; Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-39; and Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-39, all established 100 percent voting records on business issues during this session, and Rep. Brian Sullivan, D-21, prime-sponsored a bill that would have had a positive impact on specific B&O tax regulations.

It is imperative that we enact fair, comprehensive and business-friendly policies that encourage a strong and resilient state economy. That’s why the Joint Government Affairs Committee will continue to create a legislative agenda focused on jobs and our economy and will watch our elected leaders in Olympia.

For more on the Joint Government Affairs Committee, visit www.everettchamber.com or www.s2c3.com.

Louise Stanton-Masten is president and CEO of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce.

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