The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Washington Policy Center, recently hosted a roundtable discussion with local lawmakers to talk about important bills moving through the state legislature. This event gave business leaders and community members a chance to hear directly from their elected representatives and ask questions about policies that may impact them.

Attending the discussion were Rep. April Connors (R-Kennewick), Rep. Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla), and Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla). They provided some updates on key legislative issues, including property taxes, road usage charges, and executive powers.

These topics affect everyone in the Tri-Cities, from homeowners and business owners to daily commuters. Understanding how these laws might change can help residents stay informed and engaged in the political process. Our legislators want to hear from us and we should be letting our positions be known. 
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The Chamber and the Washington Policy Center will continue to host events like this to keep the community updated. If you want to be part of the conversation, stay tuned for future meetings and opportunities to connect with lawmakers!

Congratulations to Tri-City Auto Labz on their ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, February 21. Located at 3121 Leslie Road in Richland, Tri-City Auto Labz is a one-stop shop for vehicle detailing, paint protection, and automotive restyling. They service all vehicle types from cars, trucks, and motorcycles, to RVs, boats, and tractors. Learn more at ​tricityautolabz.com/.

BudgetBreakdown.org is a website dedicated to explaining how Washington state's budget decisions affect residents' daily lives. It covers topics like gas prices, road maintenance, schools, housing costs, and homelessness, all linked to the state's financial choices. The site aims to help people understand the state's multibillion-dollar budget gap, exploring its causes and consequences. It also discusses how the state's spending habits can impact individual finances.

When a government spends more than it earns, it often faces a budget shortfall. To cover this gap, the state might raise taxes. For businesses in Washington, higher taxes can lead to increased operating costs. This can make it harder for companies to invest in growth, hire new employees, or even maintain current staffing levels. Small businesses, in particular, may struggle to absorb these extra expenses, potentially leading to closures or relocations.

Additionally, when taxes rise, consumers have less disposable income. This can result in reduced spending on goods and services, directly affecting businesses' revenues. Lower consumer spending means companies might sell less, leading to decreased profits. In turn, businesses may need to cut costs, which could include reducing their workforce or scaling back services.

Moreover, a history of overspending can create uncertainty in the business environment. Companies value stability when planning for the future. If businesses anticipate frequent tax increases or budget cuts due to the state's financial mismanagement, they might hesitate to invest or expand in Washington. This uncertainty can deter new businesses from setting up in the state, limiting economic growth and innovation.

In summary, the state's budgeting decisions have a significant impact on businesses. Overspending and the resulting overtaxing can increase operational costs, reduce consumer spending, and create an unstable economic environment. For Washington to maintain a thriving business community, it's crucial to balance spending with revenue and ensure financial decisions support both the public and the private sectors.
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Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to track Washington's budget decisions and their impact on businesses and residents alike.

Congratulations to Augment Wellness on their ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration on Friday, February 14! Augment is a cold plunge studio featuring emerging biohacking modalities to improve health, aid in athletic recovery, and boost your mental state. They've brought together cold plunge, compression therapy, infrared sauna, red light therapy, halo therapy, warm contrast tubs, and their ground-breaking Bio Charger all so they can help you feel and perform at your best. Learn more: https://www.augmentwellness.com/ 

Thank you to everyone who braved the snowy roads to join us for Business After Hours on February 13. The Sugar Pine Barn at Tucannon Cellars is an extremely beautiful venue. Learn all about it at ​https://www.sugarpinebarn.com/.

On February 5, the Association of Washington Business (AWB) hosted its annual Legislative Day & Hill Climb in Olympia, bringing together hundreds of employers to engage directly with state lawmakers. For the second time in two weeks representatives for Tri-City businesses gathered to make our voices heard in Olympia.

The day commenced with a welcome session at the AWB office, setting the stage for a series of face-to-face meetings between business leaders and legislators at the Washington State Capitol Campus. These discussions covered critical topics such as transportation, housing, healthcare, workforce development, tax and fiscal policies, energy, environmental concerns, employment law, manufacturing, and data privacy. 

A highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Governor Bob Ferguson during the luncheon at Saint Martin's University's Norman Worthington Conference Center. Governor Ferguson emphasized the importance of responsible budgeting and avoiding revenue assumptions that could lead to future shortfalls. He stated, "I'm determined as governor to make sure we learn from mistakes that we made as a state in making decisions on how we budgeted." 

Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to meet with key legislators, including State Representative Greg Nance, D-Bainbridge Island, who engaged with AWB members on transportation issues. 

The event concluded with a legislative reception at Anthony's Homeport Olympia, providing a platform for further networking and discussions between business leaders and policymakers. 

Despite a snowy start, the 2025 AWB Legislative Day & Hill Climb was marked by productive dialogues and a shared commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing Washington's business community. 

In 2025, workforce issues are top of mind for business owners and managers. From hiring and retention to workplace culture, employee development, and performance management, employers are constantly seeking solutions to attract, develop, and retain top talent. That’s why the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is dedicating this year’s Ask the Experts series entirely to workplace-focused topics—providing business leaders with the tools and strategies they need to build strong, successful teams.

​Each 90-minute session features a panel of industry experts who share real-world experiences, discuss key workforce trends, and engage in interactive Q&A with attendees.

Are You a Good Fit?

We’re looking for professionals who:
✔ Have deep expertise in hiring, retention, employee training, coaching/mentoring, time management, workplace culture, performance management, or related areas
✔ Enjoy sharing knowledge and best practices
✔ Want to support small business success by helping leaders navigate today’s workforce challenges

How to Apply:
Please submit the following:
📌 Your areas of expertise
📌 A high-quality headshot & short biography
📌 A session title & brief outline of your proposed presentation

Interested? Apply today and help empower businesses with the knowledge they need to thrive in today’s evolving workplace!​

Congratulations to Dr. Stephen Smiley on the ribbon cutting ceremony for his new Direct Primary Care office. Direct Primary Care is an alternative payment model that improves access to healthcare with a simple, affordable monthly fee. His new office is located at 8101 W. Grandridge Blvd., Ste. B in Kennewick - right next to CLA and Ticor Title.

Congratulations to Tri-Cities Animal Services on their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for their new facility on February 4. Their Pasco building at 1311 S. 18th Ave. now offers expanded adoption spaces and an upgraded intake area.