We are currently seeking volunteers to join our Local Government Affairs Committee. This is a unique chance for individuals who are passionate about business and government regulations to make an impact in our community.
Why Join the Local Government Affairs Committee? The Local Government Affairs Committee is a platform where you can engage in meaningful discussions about local government affairs and advocate for policies that promote a favorable business climate. It's a place where you can collaborate with other business leaders to address regulatory challenges and influence the direction of our local business community. What Can You Expect? As a volunteer, you will be part of a team that identifies and advocates on issues relating to business and government regulations. Your insights and experiences will be invaluable in shaping the business landscape of the Tri-City region. How to Get Involved? If you're interested in volunteering, we'd love to hear from you! Please reach out to us and we'll guide you through the next steps. We look forward to welcoming you to our committee and working together to make the Tri-City region a better place for businesses to thrive. You can reach Matt Murphy, Government & Regional Affairs Directory at matt.murphy@tricityregionalchamber.com
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In 2023, the Governor signed House Bill 1106, which expanded the good cause reasons for voluntarily quitting employment set forth in RCW 50.20.050 and updated the employer benefit charging requirements set forth in RCW 50.29.021.
Washington State House Bill 1106, passed in 2023, is an act concerning qualifications for unemployment insurance when an individual voluntarily leaves work. Here are the key points:
The Department is engaging in rulemaking to implement HB 1106. This rulemaking is being completed in stages. We have completed the first stage, which updated WAC 192-150-055. They are now working on the second phase and updating the rules to define the term "split shift" and to incorporate quitting for good cause due to inaccessible care of a child or vulnerable adult, which was added by House Bill 1106. There is a draft ready to share and would like your feedback. Please send any comments or suggestions regarding the rulemaking to rules@esd.wa.gov or to: Attention: Stephanie Frazee, Legislation and Rules Coordinator Employment Security Department P.O. Box 9046 Olympia, WA 98501 Please submit comments or suggestions by Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Please identify the rulemaking as "Expanding Good Cause for Voluntarily Quitting Employment" in your comments. Plans to construct the Horse Heaven Wind Farm across thousands of acres in Benton County are moving forward with modifications. The original plan has been cut back by 116 turbines from the original plan of 231. Many of the turbines would reach 670 feet into the air. The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, or EFSEC, will be sending a recommendation report to Governor Inslee on April 17.
EFSEC is accepting comments about the proposed report and modifications being sent to Governor Inslee. Public comments can be made online at comments.efsec.wa.gov through midnight Wednesday, April 10. Local governments play a vital role in shaping our communities. They establish rules and regulations that impact everything from zoning laws to business licenses. But crafting effective regulations requires a clear understanding of a concept called "nexus."
What is Nexus? In the context of local government, nexus refers to the connection between a rule or regulation and the legitimate governmental interest it seeks to serve. Essentially, it asks the question: Does this rule have a valid purpose and is it directly tied to achieving that purpose? For example, a local government might impose a regulation requiring restaurants to maintain a certain health code rating. The nexus here is clear: the regulation aims to protect public health, a legitimate governmental interest. Why is Nexus Important? The concept of nexus is crucial for several reasons:
Let's consider two scenarios:
Nexus is a powerful tool for ensuring local government regulations are effective, fair, and respectful of individual rights. By demanding a clear connection between a rule and its purpose, nexus safeguards our communities and fosters a healthy balance between local control and individual liberty. A recent survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that voters across party lines are "supportive of pro-growth policies and pro-business candidates who will help businesses create jobs."
The survey came to the following conclusions:
Click here to see the results of the U.S. Chamber poll. Washington State has recently undergone a significant legislative redistricting process, resulting in changes to electoral boundaries. A federal judge's ruling has redrawn district maps, impacting both lawmakers and voters. In this article, we'll explore the redistricting process, its ramifications for Eastern Washington, and the implications for representation and political dynamics.
The redistricting process occurs every ten years following the U.S. Census. Its purpose is to adjust electoral boundaries to ensure equal representation based on population shifts. In Washington State, the bipartisan Washington State Redistricting Commission is responsible for drawing new district lines. A federal judge ruled that the original district maps drawn in 2021 violated the federal Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting power of the Latino community in the Yakima Valley and Pasco areas. As a result, the court ordered a redrawing of legislative district boundaries. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik approved a new legislative map (Remedial Map 3B) that addresses voting rights concerns. Notably, it creates a majority-Latino voting district in Central Washington, uniting Latino communities across the Yakima Valley into the 15th legislative district. This move aims to empower Latino voters to elect representatives aligned with their priorities. The redistricting decision impacts several current lawmakers. Senator Nikki Torres (R-Pasco), the only Latina in the Senate Republican Caucus, will no longer be able to run for re-election within her current district boundaries. Redistricting is a complex process with far-reaching consequences. While the new map aims to rectify voting rights violations, it remains a topic of debate. As Eastern Washington adjusts to these changes, voters and legislators must adapt to the reshaped political landscape. The current ruling is being challenged in court with the results due in the next month or two. With the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, wrap-up meetings in the communities have begun. Both the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pasco Chamber of Commerce have legislator meetings scheduled in May. The legislators themselves have also begun to plan their own town hall meetings. The first have been announced by the delegation from the 16th Legislative District, which includes portions of Benton, Walla Walla and Columbia counties. Senator Dozier, Representatives Rude and Klicker invite you to attend one of their three town hall meetings. Meetings will be held:
At the State of the Ports Membership Luncheon on February 28, the three local ports - Port of Benton, Port of Kennewick, and Port of Pasco - all gave presentations on what was happening in their respective areas.
Here are some highlights from each of the ports, as well as a link to their State of the Port video, which does a great job in outlining all of the ongoing projects as well as celebrating the recent accomplishments. Port of Benton The Port of Benton has completed some great projects over the past few years and has many more in the works. Among the upcoming projects planned for the Port of Benton include Prosser & Richland Airport upgrades and upgrades to rail crossings. A couple of industrial projects include the VERTical Innovation Cluster and a Green Fertilizer Plant, a project by Atlas Agro. Here is a link to their 2024 update video. Port of Kennewick The Port of Kennewick recently received the Smart Communities Award from the Governor’s Office for its work on Clover Island. The future of the Port of Kennewick includes some very nice developments around Vista Fields. Vista Fields is destined to become a walkable, lively district where residents, business owners, and visitors can gather and interact. Check out their update video here. Port of Pasco The Port of Pasco is an exciting hub of activity in the northeast Tri-Cities. The Tri-Cities airport is growing, and American Airlines just added nonstop service to Phoenix, adding to the ever-growing number of destinations available. Future plans include an Aerospace Innovation & Manufacturing (AIM) Center, a new 300-acre industrial park, and a 500,000 square foot Darigold facility. You can see their update video here. There are lots of great things happening in the Tri-City Area, all aimed at keeping the economic climate vibrant and growing. During the 2023-2024 legislative session, there were nearly 4,000 bills introduced into the Washington State Legislature by the 147 legislators that represent the citizens of Washington State. Some bills were recommended by government agencies, some encouraged by the Governor, but most were filed by legislators to satisfy a need.
It is a daunting process for a bill to become a law. There are committees, hearings, caucus meetings, and then floor votes. Once a bill is through one chamber it starts all over again until it is finally signed by the governor. Of the nearly 4,000 bills introduced, less than 1,000 ran the gauntlet and made it to the finish line. The 12 legislators in the Tri-City region managed to get a combined 41 bills through during the two-year biennium. Here are a few examples:
The 2024 Tri-Cities Legislative Council achieved success on four out of their six legislative priorities. These accomplishments encompassed several key initiatives:
The first was the Energy Northwest Advanced Small Nuclear Reactor Project: Funding was secured, resulting in a $25 million fund. This is a big win for the region. A pilot project, a Circular Industrial Symbiosis Park in Pasco, received funding for a feasibility study. Additionally, a green fertilizer work group was funded to explore the creation of a manufacturing facility in the Tri-Cities. Columbian Basin College was awarded funds to create the Hospitality Center of Excellence. The center will convene partners to develop relevant credentials, promote paid work experience and provide the opportunity to collaborate with others within the industry. Regrettably, two priorities did not reach fruition House Bill 1981 and House Bill 2120, both sponsored by Representative Barnard were unable to pass both the House and the Senate this session. House bill 1981 would have supported growth in the nuclear and manufacturing industry while furthering the state’s decarbonization initiatives. House Bill 2120 would have extended the Targeted Urban Property Tax exemption which would encourage additional manufacturing investment in Richland. |
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