Seattle - Washington Policy Center is hosting their Annual Legislative Briefing, Tuesday, January 31st in Olympia. The luncheon will is from 12:00-1:00 pm in the House Hearing Room B in John L. O'Brien Building. This event will give you an overview of our latest research and analysis on the key issues facing Legislators this session.
The luncheon is open to all legislators, legislative staff, media and special guests of Washington Policy Center. WPC policy analysts will cover topics of importance in this 2006 Session. The topics include:
Eminent Domain - WPC Advisory Board Member Bill Maurer of the Institute for Justice will discuss how to protect Washington homes and small businesses after recent U.S. Supreme Court and state Supreme Court decisions. The presentation will focus on why eminent domain reform is urgently needed in the wake of these court decisions and how to achieve meaningful reform that will still allow for the appropriate use of the government's eminent domain power.
Improving Washington's Small Business Climate - Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Director Carl Gipson will discuss the release of WPC's new Small Business Conference report, "Reviving Washington's Small Business Climate," which contains two dozen recommendations from small business owners on how to improve our state's small business climate.
Protecting Washington's Environment - Center for Environmental Policy (CEP) Director Todd Myers will discuss environmental proposals in front of the legislature this year, including the banning of flame-retardant materials (PBDEs); and WPC's recent analysis of the effects of Measure 37 in Oregon and the prospect of bringing a similar measure to Washington.
Health Care - Vice President for Research Paul Guppy will discuss the 'Pay or Play' proposal ("Fair Share Act") and the costs of state mandates, as well as provide an update on Health Savings Accounts.
The State Budget Surplus - Paul Guppy's presentation will elaborate on his recommendations for the state's budget surplus, as featured in his opinion editorial article in The Seattle Times on January 8, 2006.
WashingtonVotes.org - Director John Barnes will give a brief overview of this free legislative website that tracks bills and provides simple and accurate descriptions of all Washington legislative measures and actions, and all the new updates to this popular site.