Regional Small Business Forums Wrap up; More than 600 Gathered to Discuss Issues across Washington
Over the past several weeks Washington Policy Center has held Small Business Forums in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Bellevue, Wenatchee, Tacoma, and Vancouver. We've been holding these forums for three years and 2008 brought the most participants ever!
In Bellevue, Wells Fargo economist Dr. Eugenio Aleman talked about the federal economic bailout and its implications for small businesses. Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor) and Rep. Bill Hinkle (R-Cle Elum), who both serve on the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, talked about their parties' agendas for health care reform, particularly the issue of access for small
businesses.
The Wenatchee and Tacoma forums were part of the regular gatherings for the local chambers of commerce. Carl Gipson, director of WPC's Center for Small Business, spoke about the business climate in general and the B&O tax in particular. Todd Myers, director of WPC's Center for the Environment, talked about eco-fads and how market-driven mechanisms are greening our economy and lifestyle much more effectively than government-imposed mandates. Donna Steward of the Association of Washington Business looked ahead to the upcoming legislative session and discussed the various health care reform plans lawmakers are considering.
• Carl Gipson, Center for Small Business Director give Overview of WPC & Small Business Center
• Donna Steward, Association of Washington Business talks about Potential Health Care Changes
• Michael Ennis, Center for Transportation Director discusses Transportation Policy in 2009
• Todd Myers, Center for the Environment Director on How to avoid “eco-fads”
• Questions and Answers
The Vancouver forum welcomed a packed room of area business owners and community leaders, including new WPC board member Jerry Nutter. WPC experts spoke on transportation and the environment. Gary Smith, executive director of the Independent Business Association, spoke on health care reform and gave an overview of proposed reforms from the perspective of small businesses.
• Carl Gipson, Center for Small Business Director discusses his B&O Policy Note Series
• Gary Smith, Executive Director, Independent Business Association discusses health care issues
• Michael Ennis, Center for Transportation Director discusses Transportation Policy in 2009
• Todd Myers, Center for the Environment Director on How to avoid “eco-fads”
• Questions and Answers
Special thanks to all of the statewide and local forum supporters who made these exciting and informative events possible. Input from local small business leaders helps us craft our policy recommendations that we bring to legislators every year.
Spokane and Tri-Cities Small Business Forums Draw More than 200 Leaders; Legislative Leaders Debate Health Care Reform
In Spokane, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers addressed the forum about the recent federal bailout, expressing her concerns about a number of the measure's flaws. She also praised WPC for its invaluable work on state policy issues.
, legislative leaders debated health care reform issues and access for small businesses. Sen. Karen Keieser, Chair of the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, joined Rep. Bill Hinkle, Ranking Republican on the House Health Care & Wellness Committe, to share their goals for reform in the upcoming legislative session.
• Dann Mead Smith, WPC President and Carl Gipson, Center for Small Business Director introduces the panel
• Senator Karen Keiser, Chair, Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee
• Rep. Bill Hinkle, Ranking Member, House Health Care & Wellness Committee
• Questions and Answers with Sen. Keiser and Rep. Hinkle
• Todd Myers, Center for the Environment Director on how to avoid "Eco-fads"
• Mike Ennis, Center for Transportation discusses I-985
KNDU, the NBC TV affiliate station in Tri-Cities, covered the event and interviewed several small business owners to get their perspective on the health care challenges they face. You can read the story and watch the coverage online here.