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2009 Statewide Small Business Conference

Featuring Eugenio J. Alemán, Ph.D.,
Senior Economist & Vice President, Wells Fargo & Co.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hilton Seattle Airport & Convention Center

This year’s conference was very well received by the over 250 attendees. Small business owners, legislators, and policymakers from all over Washington gathered in SeaTac on Tuesday, November 10th, to discuss the state's business climate at Washington Policy Center's 2009 Small Business Conference. During several interactive issue breakout sessions, business owners suggested and discussed solutions to improve the climate for small businesses in Washington. Co-sponsored by nearly 50 businesses, trade associations, and chambers of commerce across the state, this was the fourth statewide small business conference hosted by WPC since 2003.

The conference featured a morning Legislative panel, as well as breakout sessions on important policy topics that affect small business owners, from access to health care, to business taxes, to regulatory reform, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation and more. These breakout sessions provided opportunities for those in the audience to offer recommendations and vote on their favorite ideas. These ideas will then be passed on to state policymakers prior to the 2010 Legislative Session.

Wells Fargo Senior Economic and Vice President Dr. Eugenio Aleman keynoted the event, speaking on where the national and state economy is heading. Dr. Aleman recently spoke at WPC's 2008 King County Small Business Forum and provided insight on the financial and capital market turmoil and how that affected small businesses. 

Dr. Eugenio J. Alemán is responsible for the analysis and forecasting of national, regional, and international economic trends. His principal focus is on the U.S. economy, interest rates, and the Texas economy. He also specializes in macroeconomics, economic development, international trade and finance, and Latin American economies, specifically Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

 

Dr. Alemán Keynote Address

Question and Answer Session

View Dr. Alemán PowerPoint Presentation

Breakout Session Panels:

Legislative Breakfast Panel

The Legislative Breakfast Panel featured new state Commerce Department Director Rogers Weed, Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle), and Rep. Kevin Parker (R-Spokane).

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Health Care Reform Panel

Health Care Reform Panel Top Recommendations: 1) Reform medical malpractice laws 2) Allow individuals and businesses to purchase health insurance across state lines  3) Focus on increasing the patient’s role in health care decisions

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Workers' Compensation Reform Panel

Workers Compensation Reform Panel Top Recommendations: 1) End the state monopoly:  WA should join 90% of the country and open the system to private competition 2) Provide a compromise and release option 3) Enact better, more aggressive claims management

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Unemployment Insurance Reform

Unemployment Insurance Reform Panel Top Recommendations: 1) Eliminate liberal construction of cases 2) Freeze the voluntary quit option 3) Keep UI benefits the same over the next calendar year

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Environmental Regulations

Environmental Regulations Panel Top Recommendations: 1) Don't add or expand federal regulations to existing or new state regulations 2) Encourage market-based solutions for stormwater and other regulations 3) Simplify environmental regulations, make more objective and apply cost/benefit analyses

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Competitiveness Issues

Competitiveness Issues Panel Top Recommendations: 1) Reduce the overall tax burden on businesses 2) Adopt an hourly wage rate for low-skill, new workers 3) Do not enact an employer gag rule

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State Tax Issues

State Tax Issues Panel Top Recommendations: 1) Level the playing field with respect to gaming, cigarettes, etc. 2) Do not increase taxes 3) Continue with thorough performance audits of government agencies

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Mike Siegel featured several WPC researchers on his November 10th KKOL show Sound Business, discussing the panels they were on, reactions of the attendees, and ideas for the future of small business:

Carl Gipson, Director of the Center for Small Business

Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research

Todd Myers, Director of the Center for the Environment

Roger Stark, Center for Health Care Policy Analyst

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Conference Sponsors

Conference Supporters

Baldwin Resource Group • Berntson Porter & Company • Columbia Bank • K&L Gates • State Farm • Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • Vancouver Business Journal • Wal-Mart

Conference Co-Presenters

Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington • Association of Washington Business • Auburn Area Chamber • Bainbridge Island Chamber • Chewelah Chamber • East King County Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition • Enterprise Washington • Greater Lake Stevens Chamber • Independent Business Association • Institute for Justice • Kent Chamber • Lakewood Chamber • Mukilteo Chamber • National Federation of Independent Business • Pasco Chamber Recreational Gaming Association • Puyallup/Sumner Chamber • Greater Seattle Chamber • South Snohomish County Chamber • Greater Spokane Inc. • Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber • Tri-City Regional Chamber • US Chamber of Commerce • Washington Food Industry • Washington REALTORS • Washington Restaurant Association • Washington Retail Association • Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • Washington State Microenterprise Association • Wenatchee Valley Chamber