Healthy growth involves more than new buildings or attracting residents; it’s about sustaining a community where businesses can thrive and individuals can build stable lives. That's why the Tri-City Regional Chamber supports sustainable, economically strong development through public-private partnerships. When government, businesses, and community groups collaborate, we can encourage development that is predictable, fair, and cost-effective.


For businesses, consistent development is key, as uncertainty raises expenses. Delays caused by slow permitting, unexpected rule changes, or sudden fee hikes can postpone projects and raise prices. This results in slower growth, fewer new jobs, and increased costs for customers. Public-private partnerships can address these problems more quickly by pooling diverse ideas and resources, and by making sure policies are practical and effective.


This guiding principle is closely tied to workforce needs. Regional employers compete for skilled workers, and housing costs greatly influence whether people relocate or stay. When housing options are scarce or expensive, workers may need to live further away, face longer commutes or leave the area. Providing affordable housing and thoughtful community planning can attract and keep talent, facilitate job mobility, and help employers fill vacancies more easily.


The Chamber applies this principle as a filter in evaluating public policy. When assessing a proposal, we consider practical questions: Will it enhance affordable housing options, or hinder development? Does it encourage fair, cost-effective growth, or create delays and added costs that stall projects? Does it support public-private partnerships and collaboration, or promote a one-size-fits-all approach that ignores local realities? We also assess whether the policy addresses current workforce needs and supports future expansion.


Ultimately, this guiding principle emphasizes maintaining balanced and realistic growth. The Tri-Cities require housing, infrastructure, and a robust workforce pipeline to support both employers and families. By fostering partnerships, ensuring predictable development, and promoting affordable housing for working residents, the Chamber can advocate for policies that bolster the local economy and protect long-term opportunities for the whole region.
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The Legislative Information Center (LIC) is Washington’s front door to the lawmaking process. It brings together bill tracking, committee schedules, ways to participate, and research tools so residents and businesses can follow the issues that matter to them. LIC’s mission is simple and public-facing: provide courteous, accurate, and timely information about the Legislature and how it works, including direct help by phone and email. If you are not sure where to start, LIC staff will point you in the right direction.
The website centers around easy-to-use tools for following legislation in real time. From the Bills, Meetings, and Session hub, you can search for bills in various ways. Afterward, you can use the Selected Bill Tracking app to create a personalized watch list.
You can give input on bills to your legislators and learn how to testify during committee hearings. This can be done in person or remotely. For meeting details, check the Committee Schedules page for agendas, documents, and video links.
Key links:

• Bills, Meetings, and Session hub (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/),
• Selected Bill Tracking (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/how-to-track-a-bill/ → “Go to Selected Bill Tracking”),
• Comment on a Bill (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/how-to-comment-on-a-bill/),
• Testify at a Committee Meeting (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/how-to-testify-at-a-committee-meeting/),
• Committee Schedules (https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/).

LIC also helps you connect with lawmakers. Use the District Finder to see which legislative district you live in. Next, open the Legislator Directories for contact details and biographies. If you want to send a message, a step-by-step guide explains how to contact your representatives. For general questions or quick outreach, call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Interpreter services are available, and staff can forward messages or help with documents and meeting times.
Key Links:

• District Finder (https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder),
• Legislator Directories (https://leg.wa.gov/legislators/legislator-directories/),
• How to Send a Message (https://leg.wa.gov/legislators/how-to-send-a-message-to-a-legislator/), Hotline info (https://leg.wa.gov/help).

For background research, the site gathers official records and explains topics in plain language. You can explore the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), review the State Constitution, and consult a legislative glossary.
The Session Documents area offers legislative manuals, daily floor journals, and roll call transcripts that show how members voted. You can also browse Legislative Facts and Bill Data for session activity charts, view online rosters, and sign up for email updates.

Key links:

• RCW (https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/state-laws-rcw/),
• WAC (https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/state-rules-wac/),
• Glossary (https://leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/glossary/),
• Legislative Manuals (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/session-documents/legislative-manuals/),
• Floor Journals (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/session-documents/floor-journals/),
• Roll Call Transcripts (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/session-documents/roll-call-transcripts/),
• Legislative Facts and Bill Data (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/data-and-statistics/legislative-facts-and-bill-data/),
• Email Updates (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/ → “Email updates”).

LIC is also a learning center for students, educators, and first-time users. Visit the Classes and Tutorials page for free classes on using the site and understanding how a bill becomes law. The Bills, Meetings, and Session hub links you to public sign-ins for hearings, House and Senate floor activity, and important session dates. For more background, see Studies, Audits, and Reports. For state fiscal information, use the budget portal at fiscal.wa.gov.

Key Links:

• Classes and Tutorials (https://leg.wa.gov/help/classes-and-tutorials/),
• Bills, Meetings, and Session hub (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/),
• Studies, Audits, and Reports (https://leg.wa.gov/studies-audits-and-reports/),
• State Budgets (https://fiscal.wa.gov)

The LIC website is built to help you follow bills, attend hearings, contact lawmakers, and find trustworthy records in one place. Whether you run a business, teach a class, or simply want information, these tools make civic engagement easier. For complete resources and up-to-date links, visit https://leg.wa.gov/about-the-legislature/legislative-information-center/. 
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Thanks to everyone who joined us at Business After Hours at Goodwill last night! 

​In Washington state, there is growing momentum for a “Workers’ Bill of Rights.” This set of rules and protections aims to provide workers with greater stability, fairness, and rights in their jobs. For business owners, local communities, and everyday citizens, these changes could bring significant shifts in how companies staff and operate, in costs and benefits, and in how local economies function.
 
A Workers’ Bill of Rights (WBR) typically refers to laws or regulations that push employers to provide better wages, schedules, safety measures, and work stability. These laws often extend beyond fundamental legal rights, for example, by requiring advance notice of work schedules, restricting last-minute shift changes, increasing minimum pay for specific roles, or providing enhanced protections for historically marginalized workers. In Washington state, many core workers' rights are already in place, including minimum wage, paid sick leave, meal and rest breaks, and safety standards.
 
Where in Washington are these efforts happening?
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Here are some examples of where the idea is being used or proposed:

• In Seattle, there is the “Domestic Workers Ordinance,” often called a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. It took effect on July 1, 2019, and guarantees that domestic workers—such as nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners—receive a minimum wage, meal and rest breaks, protection of personal documents, and other standards.
• At the state level, a bill for domestic workers was passed by the state Senate in 2025 that would extend rights such as minimum wage, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and anti-discrimination protections to domestic workers who were previously excluded.
• In the city of Olympia, a citizens’ initiative is underway to establish a Workers’ Bill of Rights that would include wage floors, predictable scheduling (e.g., posting schedules in advance), and other workplace protections.
• There are signs of similar proposals in the areas near Tacoma and Thurston County, where community and labor groups are planning to push for a higher minimum wage and additional protections.

What the Workers’ Bill of Rights means for a business owner

From the viewpoint of a small‑ or medium-sized business owner in Washington, a WBR can affect staffing, operations, and finances in several ways:
Staffing

• You may need to increase wages for certain roles or pay higher rates for specific categories of workers. For example, Seattle’s domestic workers’ law sets a minimum wage for those employees.
•  Scheduling rules (if any are included) might require you to post work schedules a certain number of days in advance, offer extra pay for last-minute changes, or restrict “clopening” shifts (working a closing shift followed by an opening shift with little rest in between). The Olympia proposal outlines these protections.
• You could be required to offer extra hours to part-time workers before hiring new employees or ensuring more predictable schedules. This may increase your administrative workload and planning requirements.

Operations

•  You’ll need to review your employment contracts, payroll systems, scheduling software, and tracking of breaks, rest periods, and overtime. If a law requires additional transparency or documentation, such as a written agreement for domestic workers in the state bill, ensure compliance.
• You may face increased compliance checks or risk penalties if you fail to implement the rules correctly. For example, the state bill includes civil penalties for non-compliance.
• Your business might need to adjust staffing levels to manage higher wages or scheduling costs or to meet safety or shift-notice requirements. This could involve shifting from variable staffing to more fixed staffing or changing shift lengths or times.

Finances

•  Higher wages, extra pay for scheduling changes, and premium pay for hours or shifts can raise your labor costs. For businesses with tight margins (especially in retail, food service, and hospitality), this can have a significant impact.
• On the other hand, improved staffing stability and predictability may reduce turnover, training costs, and absenteeism, potentially leading to cost savings over time.
• You might need to invest in systems (software, scheduling, HR compliance) or staff training to implement the new rules. That involves an upfront expense.
• Some businesses may respond by raising prices, cutting hours of operation, or reducing other benefits to offset higher labor costs. These actions can have ripple effects in the community.

Positive effects

• Workers receive more dependable schedules, higher wages, and fairer treatment. This leads to greater stability for families, reduced stress from unpredictable hours, and increased income. As a result, communities are strengthened.
• When workers have more consistent incomes and hours, they can spend more locally, which benefits other businesses in the area.
• Policies that lower turnover and enhance worker wellbeing may also improve service quality and foster better relations between businesses and the community (happy workers often deliver better customer experiences, helping communities feel more positive about local businesses).
• Communities may experience fewer disruptions when workers are treated well, such as fewer labor disputes and emergency interruptions.

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Negative effects

• Small businesses might struggle with higher labor costs or scheduling issues. They could cut back on hiring, reduce hours, pass on expenses to customers, or even shut down if profit margins are very slim. This could negatively impact local employment.
• If businesses raise prices or cut services to manage expenses, community members, predominantly low-income customers, may feel the burden.
• Some businesses may lessen staff flexibility, hire fewer part-time workers, or turn to automation to avoid high labor costs, reducing opportunities for workers who prefer part-time or flexible schedules.
• If businesses relocate or slow expansion due to increased operating costs, communities could experience a loss of economic growth and jobs.

In Washington state, the Workers’ Bill of Rights movement reflects a push to strengthen worker protections and promote greater economic fairness. At the state level, proposed protections for domestic workers suggest that some exclusions, such as those for domestic workers, are being eliminated. This expands the scope of labor law coverage and advocates for a more inclusive labor system policy.

From a regulatory perspective, companies operating in multiple jurisdictions may face diverse local regulations, as cities or counties may adopt WBRs, requiring firms to stay current with local legal changes. To ensure consistency across the state, the legislature may enact more standardized laws in response to regional variations and experiments, so businesses need to stay current. Economically, the state might experience higher labor costs for some sectors but potentially stronger consumer spending if workers’ incomes increase. The balance between cost pressures and growth opportunities is something legislators, business associations, and community leaders must monitor.
 
 
The growing adoption of Workers’ Bill of Rights policies in Washington state signals a significant shift in the interactions among employers, employees, and communities. For business owners, this presents both opportunities and challenges: they may experience more stable staffing and higher employee satisfaction, but also face increased labor costs, compliance obligations, and possible operational adjustments. For local communities and residents, advantages include fairer treatment of workers, greater stability, and the potential for stronger local economies. However, there are risks of higher prices, service changes, and job losses if businesses struggle to adapt.
 
If you are a business owner in Washington, it’s smart to track proposed WBR laws in your city or county, review your staffing, scheduling, and payroll practices, and think about how you might adjust operations or prices in response. If you are a community leader or resident, it’s helpful to join the discussion on how these rights balance fairness for workers with sustainable business practices and local economic health.
 
In short, a Workers’ Bill of Rights is more than just a list of protections: it is about shaping the future of work in your local community, and your business plays a key role in that future.

​Property taxes can be complex, as bills often include various charges that may fluctuate. Benton County’s Assessor’s Office recently launched a new online “tax transparency" tool, making it easier to see current payments and potential future charges if a proposed levy receives voter approval.


The tool is part of an upgrade to the county’s property records website. Essentially, it helps you look up a property and view the levies associated with it, then compare current levies to proposed ones so you can estimate how your tax bill might change. The county describes the tool as a way to give residents easier, more convenient access to property and tax information, especially when voters are considering levy measures.


You can use this to monitor fluctuations in property taxes over time, and the site displays basic property details like tax value and land parcel size. Local reports emphasize that a key feature is the median residential sales price chart, helping residents grasp market trends affecting property assessments. Note that the “tax transparency” section may only be visible if a bond or levy measure influences the property, so proposed levies might not always be shown comparisons.


Visit the Benton County Property Search site at https://property.spatialest.com/wa/benton#/. Search for an address or use the map, then scroll down to the “taxes and levies” section and open the tax transparency area if available. You can compare your current levies with the estimate from the proposed levies tool, which aids in budgeting and making informed voting decisions.

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Keep in mind that this tool is designed for transparency and planning purposes, not for issuing final bills. In Benton County, the Assessor’s Office determines property values, taxing districts set levies, and the Treasurer’s Office handles tax collection. Your official tax bills will still be sent through the usual billing and collection process. When used correctly, this tool can promote clearer and more informed discussions about property taxes in Benton County. 

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Thanks to all that joined us at the ribbon cutting for Tri-Cities Chaplaincy's newly remodeled hospice house, located at 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.

A strong local economy relies on two key factors working together: businesses that are eager to invest and expand, and public budgets that remain stable and predictable. That is why the Tri-City Regional Chamber emphasizes sound tax policies and fiscal stewardship. It advocates a competitive and balanced tax system, supports fair tax policies, and promotes prudent budgeting to ensure our region remains a great place to do business.


For employers, taxes are more than just a line item. They influence whether a business can hire, increase wages, expand a building, or purchase new equipment. When taxes are too high, too complicated, or change frequently, businesses face greater risks and have less room to grow. A fair and competitive tax environment helps local companies stay strong, encourages entrepreneurs to start new ventures, and makes the Tri Cities more appealing to outside investors who can create new jobs.


This principle also recognizes that the community needs quality public services. Businesses rely on safe neighborhoods, dependable roads, robust utilities, and well-kept infrastructure that supports shipping, commuting, and growth. The Chamber’s strategy is to prioritize funding for vital services and infrastructure while keeping spending within expected revenues. In simple terms, the aim is to fund what truly matters without depending on wishful budgeting.


This guiding principle also serves as a practical tool the Chamber uses to evaluate public policies. When a proposal arises, we ask straightforward questions: Does it create a more competitive and balanced tax environment, or does it introduce new costs that hinder private sector growth? Is the tax policy fair and predictable across different industries and business sizes? Does the funding plan rely on realistic revenue estimates, and does it prioritize core services and infrastructure that support long-term growth? These questions help the Chamber clearly explain its position, maintain consistency over time, and advocate for policies that enhance the business climate.
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Ultimately, this principle focuses on maintaining stability in the Tri Cities. Businesses need space to grow, and communities require smart investments to keep the region functioning well. By promoting fair taxes, disciplined budgets, and targeted spending, the Chamber applies this guiding principle to support both economic growth and the public foundations that enable it.

​Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Legislative Send-Off Luncheon! It was great to see our community come together to support the Tri-Cities Legislative Council’s 2026 priorities and help send our legislators to Olympia with a strong, unified voice for the Tri-Cities.

Every January, Washington State lawmakers start preparing for the upcoming legislative session. One of their initial actions is submitting bills early, called pre-filed bills. These are filed before the session officially begins, allowing lawmakers to get an early start on their planned work for the year.


Pre-filing a bill means a legislator officially introduces an idea for a new law or a change to an existing one. These bills are written and assigned a number for tracking. Once filed, they are published and made available for the public to read. This allows people to see what issues lawmakers plan to address and begin learning about them.


After a bill is prefiled, it is assigned to a committee when the session begins. Committees are small groups of lawmakers who focus on specific topics like education, health, or business. The committee will decide whether the bill should advance, be amended, or be halted. If the committee approves it, the bill moves to the full chamber, such as the House or Senate, for a vote. If it passes there, it goes to the other chamber. If both the House and Senate approve it, the bill moves to the governor, who can sign it into law or veto it.


Anyone can view pre-filed bills on the Washington State Legislature’s official website at leg.wa.gov. Just visit the site and go to the “Bill Information” section to search for bills by number, topic, or sponsor. This allows the public to stay informed about their lawmakers’ actions and provides an opportunity to support or oppose particular bills.
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Pre-filing bills is an important step in Washington's legislative process. It allows lawmakers to prepare ahead and provides the public with an early preview of upcoming legislation.