Washington Business Winter 2020 | Washington Business | Seite 22

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Meet Your Advocates in Olympia
AWB’s Government Affairs Team works year-round to ensure
that employers have a seat at the table. With the 2020 legislative
session and elections ahead this fall, they talk about their biggest
issues this session and in the months ahead.
Brian Mittge
This year’s “short” legislative session went beyond the normal focus on budgetary updates. With well
over a thousand new bills introduced, it’s important for the employer community to be engaged.
At A Glance
AWB’s Government Affairs
directors testify on dozens of bills
each session. They also work with
agencies on rulemaking and sit on
a variety of stakeholder groups.
The most effective legislative
testimony comes from employers
themselves. Lawmakers sit up
and listen when businesses show
up to testify. Contact AWB’s
Government Affairs team to learn
more — they can offer help and
preparation to make testimony
more accessible for anyone.
AWB has a variety of committees,
from Tax & Fiscal to Water
Quality. These groups are formed
of AWB members and provide
the direction that guides AWB’s
policy decisions. Contact AWB at
800-531-9325 to learn more about
becoming part of AWB’s dynamic
committee structure.
22 association of washington business
AWB’s 2020 Government Affairs Team, from left: Peter Godlewski (environmental policy); Amy
Anderson (education, health care and federal affairs); Gary Chandler (vice president, Government
Affairs); Tommy Gantz (tax and fiscal policy); Bob Battles (employment law); and Mike Ennis
(transportation, land use and rural issues).
The business voice in Olympia is a crucial part of our state’s policy discussion.
After all, private-sector employers pay more than half of the taxes in Washington.
More importantly, businesses employ people in every community of Washington,
meeting the needs of the market while putting people to work.
When it comes to representation in Olympia, Washington’s employers have a deep
bench and a broad range of experience in AWB’s Government Affairs team.
With this year’s legislative session, and a big election ahead in November, it’s worth
getting to know AWB’s Government Affairs team — and worth remembering that every
one of them works for AWB’s members.
When you call, they’ll pick up the phone.
If you want to talk to legislators, they’ll help you prepare for testimony.