Legislative Updates & Chamber Advocate Newsletters

We send our Chamber Advocate newsletter periodically to keep subscribers informed of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, calls to action for the business community, and other relevant news.

Chamber Advocate: March 14, 2023

Call to action on transportation budget: Speak out to preserve funding for Puget Sound Gateway (167/509)
Call to action: Register your opposition to ergonomics bill
Economic Forecast Luncheon set for May 23 featuring Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier
Register for Chamber Legislative Day
Government Affairs Council: Archived meeting

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3FnHU5o

Chamber Advocate: February 6, 2023

Government Affairs Council reminder
Register for Chamber Legislative Day
HB 1363: Link to Chamber board director’s testimony
Sen. Gildon’s op-ed: We must fix the state's police pursuit law
How to register your position on a bill
Links to your legislators

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3jyQsip

Chamber Advocate: January 23, 2023

Calls to action: SB 5217 and SB 5482
Register for Chamber Legislative Day
Homeless initiative update from Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier
How to register your position on a bill
Links to your legislators in the 25th and 31st districts

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3Xyo2DZ

Chamber Advocate: May 2, 2022

Call to action: Sign on to Chamber letter asking for special legislative session
Discussion on crime with CM Hans Zeiger and Rep. Kelly Chambers (25th Leg. Dist.)
Economic & Workforce Development Committee update

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3vB3A9K

Chamber Advocate: February 22, 2022

Call to action: Register opposition to HB 1837
12@12 Chamber Chat update
Government Affairs Council: February meeting archive

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3542nxf

Chamber Advocate: January 31, 2022

EDB Excellent 10 Award for Chamber
CEO sign ons: Amendment to HB 2026; support of HB 1819
AWB editorial: More work to be done on Long Term Care Tax
Pierce Co. Professional Services Roster
How to register support or opposition to bills
Links to subscribe to your representatives in the 25th and 31st Leg. Districts

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3IVpEjw

Chamber Advocate: January 6, 2022

ICYMI: View archived recording of December Legislative Breakfast
ICYMI: View archived recording of January GAC meeting
Weigh in on Chamber Legislative Priorities for 2022
Link to pre-filed bills
Links to subscribe to your representatives in the 25th and 31st Leg. Districts
Employee Retention Credit overview

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/3FYKpcO

Chamber Advocate: November 23, 2021

Legislative Breakfast: Dec. 7
Mingle & Jingle Public Officials Reception: Dec. 8
U.S. Chamber sign-on letter: Opposition to Reconciliation Bill
AWB sign-on letter: Opposition to Long-Term Care tax
Congratulations newly elected & re-elected officials
We bid adieu to outgoing Sumner Mayor Bill Pugh

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/30VmxHe

Chamber Advocate: April 1, 2021

Call to action: Register support for transportation funding (Puget Sound Gateway Project)
Meet & Greet with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland
Government Affairs Committee next week with an update from Port of Tacoma

View newsletter: https://conta.cc/2PvbuPI

Calls to Action: March 12, 2021

Please take a moment to speak out in opposition against two MAJOR bills gaining traction in Olympia that will affect business. Both of these bills have public hearings on MONDAY.

You don’t have to sign up to testify, or even submit written testimony (although that’s great!), you can simply take one minute of your time to register your opposition for these bills, via the links below. The links below take you to the Committee Sign In - Remote Testimony page, but again, this will simply note your position for the legislative record. Choose “con” from the drop down menu to register your opposition. THANK YOU!

Here are the two bills:

2SHB 1076 - Qui Tam Legislation / Whistleblower bill: If passed, would allow third parties to sue employers on behalf of state agencies to enforce against possible violations of labor laws. The lawsuits can be filed on behalf of individuals who may not have any relationship, nor given permission, to the party bringing the lawsuits. This will result in excessive, frivolous litigation that can cost employers millions of dollars in litigation costs with no real benefit to employees. This bill passed the House (53-44) and we need to stop the bill in the Senate. There is a public hearing in Senate committee scheduled for Monday morning.
Register your opposition now

ESSB 5096 - Capital Gains tax: If passed, will enact a 7% "excise tax" on gains over $250,000 from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets. Washington State Constitution prohibits an income tax, and capital gains is not an excise tax - it is an income tax. Additionally, Washington's revenue has increased this past year, eliminating the need to increase taxes when we are still in a pandemic. Many businesses will be hit particularly hard by adding a state capital gains tax on top of the existing businesses taxes that are paid to the state, which is why we oppose this bill. This bill narrowly passed the Senate (25-24) and we need to stop the bill in the House. There is a public hearing in House committee scheduled for Monday morning.
Register your opposition now