"I know when that hotline bling..."






Last week, our Board of Directors met for an all-day planning session focused on our progress and evolution as Your Chamber. Throughout our 130 years, our identity has changed quite a lot, but one thing has always stayed the same: we are focused on Moving Business Forward in SW Washington. Watch for announcements very soon as we unveil details on some of our highly anticipated programs!

Our Fun Note Friday often highlights events and happenings, but we also want to keep you up-to-date with changes to policy and legislation that could directly affect your business:
 

• Low Carbon Fuel Standards, having passed the House and is now with the Senate for consideration. This has been a key focus of Governor Inslee. Supporters maintain it is necessary to cut carbon emissions across the state, while critics point to the state of California where data suggests that the impact of low carbon fuel has not made near the impact it was intended to and resulted in much higher prices at the pumps.  Contact your Senator and let them know what you think about the need or not for such a standard.

• It appears a statute exempting nonprofit organizations from sales tax collection and B&O taxes for sales at auctions will expire at the end of June this year. HB 1808 which would have extended the exemption indefinitely. While the bill passed out of committee it was left on the House floor at deadline. This could have serious repercussions for many nonprofits across the state. Maybe there can be an 11th hour move that would resurrect it but for now it looks to be decided.

• I 976 which required the roll back of car license tab fees to $30, while still in the courts, looks to be the law of the land going forward. Consequently, the legislature as well as local jurisdictions whose budgets were built on the use of those license tab fees are scrambling to back fill a gap that is in excess of $450 million annually statewide. According to Rep Jake Fey, House Transportation Committee Chair included in the anticipated budget from the Democrats, "You won't see any cuts to preservation," he said. "You won't see any new revenue - you'll see strategic reductions,” indicating they are dealing with the shortfall through cutting expenses. For the city of Vancouver the shortfall is approximately $5 million and when leveraged against other matching funds leaves a hole of about $15 million dollars in street improvements that will be delayed until a funding source can be determined.

And finally, I’m excited to announce the return of the Chamber’s educational workshops! In previous years, our workshops have been released as series-based programs with themes focusing on social media, business development, and even tools for making better connections. New for this year are the Chamber’s monthly workshops entitled Mind Your Business. These sessions will feature expert speakers on topics ranging from safety protocols, to multi-generational company culture, to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The first Mind Your Business workshop is on Tuesday, March 3 with a presentation by the Vancouver Police Department on safety and protocol when an active shooter is present in the area. Over brunch, you’ll learn how to better prepare your organization for a threat such as these at any moment. Thank you to The Columbian our Media Sponsor of the Mind Your Business workshops.

If you’re interested in sharing your expertise at one of our Mind Your Business workshops, let us know!

 

And with that, wishing you all a great and sunny weekend!

John McDonagh
President/CEO
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
DIRECT 360.567.1050
#ThisIsHowIChamber