eye on business
Telling Our Story
Kris Johnson, AWB President
If it seems like we’ve been here before, you’re right.
The Legislature is starting a new session facing what some
predict will be a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Some
lawmakers spent the last few months talking about the need
for “new revenue” — a not-so-subtle euphemism for raising
taxes. And employers feel like they have a target on their backs.
I even heard suggestions last fall that employers were
“resigned” to the idea that a tax hike was inevitable this year.
I don’t know about that, but it certainly sounds like we’ve
got our work cut out for us.
And by “we,” I mean all of us.
AWB’s Government Affairs staff will be back on the job
in Olympia, as always, meeting with lawmakers, testifying
before legislative committees and telling the story of business
at every opportunity.
It’s important that lawmakers and state agency leaders
understand that the decisions they make in Olympia
carry real-world consequences in small, medium and big
businesses — in every corner of the state.
But it’s more important than ever for employers to tell
their story directly to lawmakers, as well. We need you to
come along beside us and help us be your champion.
10 association of washington business
That could mean testifying before a legislative committee,
calling and writing the elected officials from your community,
or writing a guest opinion article in your local newspaper.
Many of you have been doing this for years. If