Tri-Cities - Small business owners, legislators and policymakers gathered for the 2005 Eastern Washington Small Business Conference Thursday at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick to discuss Washington state's business climate. During several breakout sessions covering issues such as employer regulations, workers' compensation and health care, business owners were able to suggest solutions that would bring about a better business climate.

"One of the highly debated issues within the business community is health care insurance. Small businesses need affordable health insurance options to offer their employees, which are just not available at this time," said Washington Policy Center president Dann Mead Smith. "The recommendations that came out of the Conference will help address this issue."

The result is a list of priority solutions, selected by Eastern Washington's small business owners, for solving the major problems with the state's small business climate.

Rising Cost of Health Insurance

1. Allow consumers to buy insurance plans from other states

Allow association health plans (tied for first)

2. Better incentives for group purchasing plans

Transportation

1. Streamline/simplify environmental challenge process to save time

2. Streamline/simplify administrative and operational costs

3. Focus on fixing chokepoints

Water Issues

1. Rulemaking on stormwater ceases until the legislature addresses the issue

2. Require provable scientific evidence before deviating from federal standard

3. Get credit returned for water returned to rivers

Reduce regulatory burdens to non-drinking water re-use

Unemployment Insurance

1. Remove liberal construction clause from regulations, which favor employees

2. Base benefit level on the last 4 quarters worked instead of only the previous 2 quarters

3. Seasonal benefits given only in season

Employment Regulations

1. Allow employers to count tips as wages for purpose of minimum wage

2. A measurement for safety and health should be based on injury reduction, not citation

3. End yearly minimum wage increase tied to inflation index

Tax Burden

1. Increase the B&O tax exemption for which small businesses pay $0 from the current $50,000 level to $1               million

2. Oppose implementation of state income tax

3. Permanently repeal the state's estate tax

Worker's Compensation

1. Increase employer involvement in process' - all claims originate with employer instead of with the                     employee

2. Allow associations to self insure as groups

3. Move the system towards competition in L&I insurance

 "The breakout session provide a place for small business owners to provide recommendations on several policy issues that are affecting their businesses," said Mr. Mead Smith

He added, "Business owners are very clear and up front with their needs to be able to function more efficiently. Now, it's up to policymakers to do their part in assisting businesses and improving our state's economy and getting more people employed."

The conference was attended by over 150 small business owners, elected officials and policy experts from across Eastern Washington. Washington Policy Center will publish a detailed analysis of Conference results in a report prior to the 2006 Legislative Session. The last conference report resulted in an initiative passed by voters and 5 bills were signed into law that were direct reflections of Conference recommendations.

A Statewide Conference will be held on Thursday, November 17th at the SeaTac Hilton, which will feature most of the same breakout sessions but adding Liability and Tort Reform and Regulation Reform. Recommendations from this Conference will also be included in next year's conference summary report. This conference will feature Gov. Christine Gregoire as the lunch keynote speaker and she will be available to answer any questions. The conference is only $45 to attend which includes continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. The Statewide Small Business Conference will go from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.