Washington Business Winter 2018 | Washington Business | Page 23

washington business AWB Enhancing Federal Affairs Work From trade to health care, Washington state is impacted by policy decisions in Washington, D.C., which is why the Association of Washington Business has enhanced its federal affairs presence over the past several years. Bobbi Cussins At A Glance AWB hosted its first D.C. Fly-in in 2014 and hosted its fourth-annual D.C. Fly-in Dec. 4-6. AWB was integral in the effort to renew the U.S. Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank’s charter in 2015. The association received the Ex-Im Bank’s 2016 Chairman’s Award for the effort. The association is currently working on issues that impact trade, including ensuring a fully functional Ex-Im Bank and renegotiation of trade pacts as well as bipartisan health insurance access and stabilization efforts. Today, more than ever before, policies discussed and passed at the federal level have a direct impact on Washington state’s economic health. That’s why AWB increased its advocacy efforts at the federal level over the past four years. Those efforts include work to renew the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s charter, to explain the need for thoughtful health care policy, such as supporting Association Health Plans like AWB’s HealthChoice plan, to find creative solutions to workforce development and thoughtful tax and regulatory policies that will help grow Washington’s economy. This effort is driven by and for AWB members, and employers’ voices need to be a mainstay in Congress. To help facilitate more dialogue between Congress and Washington business owners and leaders on the issues that impact employers, employees and their communities, information for all 12 of Washington’s members of Congress are listed on the next few pages. Better yet, join AWB for its Federal Affairs Summit Aug. 14 in Tacoma and be part of the discussion. Contact AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson for more information on federal issues. AWB hosted its inaugural Federal Affairs Summit during the annual Policy Summit Sept. 19-21 at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum. The 2018 AWB Federal Affairs Summit will be a stand-alone event on Aug. 14, 2018 in Tacoma. For more information on federal issues, contact AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson at 360.943.1600 or [email protected]. winter 2018 23