2012 Legislative Priorities of the

Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce

In this prolonged economic downturn, it is critical to send the message to our lawmakers once again that the 2012 Legislature must DO NO HARM to business and commerce.  Protect existing businesses from excessive fees and onerous regulations, and focus efforts on long term, systemic change to create a smaller, smarter government.

Focus State Government before asking for Revenue.  A dire budget situation requires a wholesale effort to re-focus state government.  A top to bottom reform plan should include implementation of recommendations by the State Auditor, eliminating agency and program redundancies, real reform of regulatory and permitting systems, forcing state employees to pay an equitable share of health care costs, and big picture prioritizing of the activities of state government.  It is only after presentation of a thoughtful and comprehensive plan reflecting this approach that the citizens and businesses of Washington state should be asked to make up for shortcomings in the form of new revenue.  Washington businesses will lead this state out of the recession but only if they are healthy and whole. 

Workers Comp Reform.  We are encouraged by steps taken during the 2011 legislative session to reform the costly and inefficient state-run workers comp system.  We are also appreciative of the Director of Labor and Industries’ withdrawal of its rate hike proposal for 2012.   The best protection against future rate hikes is continuing to reform the system while providing protection for injured workers.  Introducing competition to the system continues to be the best option for forcing innovation, efficiency and cost control. 

Stabilize Unemployment Insurance Taxes.  The steps taken in 2011 to reign in Unemployment Insurance Taxes are appreciated. We urge legislators in 2012 to make no changes to the system that will raise employer taxes or add costs for employers. 

Protect Resource Industries.  Mason County is proudly reliant on its resource industries, including working forests and shellfish.  It is time to recognize that these industries are part of the solution to protection of our environment and consider incentives to keep the industries on the landscape rather than regulating them out of existence.  

Belfair By-Pass.  The SR 3 alternate route continues to be a high priority for freight mobility, tourism, safety and community well-being.  Perhaps it could be used as a Department of Transportation example of creative, cost-saving efficiency.

Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce
2011 Legislative Priorities

In this prolonged economic downturn, it is critical to send the message to our lawmakers once again that the 2011 Legislature must DO NO HARM to business and commerce.  Protect existing businesses from excessive fees and onerous regulations, and focus efforts on long term, systemic change to create a smaller, smarter government.

Fees are Not the Answer.  Rather than continuing to look for additional revenue in the form of fees and other “taxes” on businesses, lawmakers must be creative in finding efficiencies across the board.  Washington businesses can only lead this state out of the recession if they are healthy and whole.  The recent proposal for consolidation of state agencies is a good start but much more must be done to cut costs through consolidation, streamlining and other efforts.

Workers Comp Reform  An effective workers’ compensation system is vital to employers, workers and working families; yet costs continue to escalate despite fewer claims each year.  We can continue to provide protection for injured workers while significantly reforming the system, introducing competition that will force innovation, efficiency and cost control.  At the same time, it is critical to find equity in delineating job related injuries and diseases. 

Stabilize Unemployment Insurance Taxes  The recession has demonstrated that employers need a more predictable unemployment insurance tax structure.  During sustained periods of high unemployment, UI taxes skyrocket, further jeopardizing jobs and employer stability.  Reducing the sharp increases in taxes will help to stabilize employer costs and speed recovery.

Protect Resource Industries  Large and small forest landowners will present creative ideas to streamline the forest practices application process, simplify rules for smaller operators, streamline an outmoded forest taxation system and other considerations that increase efficiency of government without costing money or resource protection.

Belfair By-Pass  The SR 3 alternate route continues to be a high priority for freight mobility, tourism, safety and community well-being.  Perhaps it could be used as a Department of Transportation example of creative, cost-saving efficiency.

Maintain Entrepreneurial Partnerships.  Clean-up of Puget Sound, including Hood Canal, is still a high priority for the future of Mason County.  While any capital budget item should understandably endure close scrutiny, the entrepreneurial approach of Enterprise Cascadia (formerly ShoreBank) in leveraging private funds and modest funding through the Puget Sound Partnership creates a win-win for business and the environment. 

Keep Olympic College Shelton Alive  Higher education has taken big hits as necessary budget reductions have been implemented.  This has meant deep reductions in work source and other critical programming at Olympic College Shelton.  The people of Mason County have sent a clear and repeated message in their support of this campus.   This entrepreneurship should be rewarded and encouraged; priority programs should be maintained particularly as workers retrench to better position themselves in a recovering market.

Public-Private Partnerships for State Tourism Promotion  Preserve local tourism promotion funding at the local level while exploring alternate state level funding opportunities through public-private partnerships.