Association of Washington Business – Updated Weekly

Your guide to elections: AWB has launched a new resource for the 2024 elections that includes key deadlines and a full list of candidate endorsements. We’ll continue to update the page with additional resources.

AWB tradition: Since 1992, AWB has brought candidates together to debate their ideas before employers and the public.

• AWB will host debates with candidates for governor, attorney general, lands commissioner, and superintendent of public instruction on Sept. 18 at the annual Policy Summit in Spokane

Primary underway: Ballots were mailed out Friday for the state’s Aug. 6 primary election. The Washington State Standard has a roundup of the key statewide and congressional races on your ballot.

• The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the Nov. 5 primary. The election will narrow a crowded field of 28 candidates competing for governor to two.

Budget warning: Gov. Jay Inslee has told state agencies that money is too tight for new programs or to expand existing ones, the Washington State Standard reports. Inslee will release his final budget proposal in December of his three-term tenure as governor.

Revenue is down: The state’s June revenue forecast showed state tax collections dropped nearly $500 million — the biggest drop since the pandemic — driven by less consumer spending and a decrease in capital gains tax receipts.

“This year’s revenue forecasts will likely support the maintenance of current programs, but not growth,” David Schumacher, Inslee’s budget director, wrote agency leaders last month.

Outcome of initiatives: The fate of three ballot initiatives will also impact the budget, and “budget requests and prioritization should reflect the possible outcomes,” Schumacher wrote.

Meeting the need: The latest edition of Washington Business magazine looks at how Washington’s schools are addressing the growing demand for workers in two industries: electric vehicles and fiber broadband.

Well-rounded technicians: Based on employer feedback, Peninsula College and Spokane Community College have incorporated EVs into their automotive programs, teaching maintenance, repair and diagnostics.

“Our program is designed to take someone from Johnny off the street to someone with skills who knows their way around a modern vehicle, including hybrid and electric vehicles,” said Brian Kneidl, associate dean of workforce programs at Peninsula College.

Boosting connectivity: Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in Everett is the first high school in America to offer fiber optic certification through the Fiber Broadband Association, a program possible through a partnership with Whidbey Telecom.

• The 10-week program puts graduates into a good position to immediately be considered for hiring into jobs that helps connect an increasingly online world

Your input needed: AWB has launched its summer employer survey, which provides a wide-ranging look at how Washington businesses view the economy and what they see in the months ahead.

Detailed data: We share data points with legislators and policymakers on what manufacturers rank as the top challenges and policy priorities. See data from the spring survey.

Congress continues work on 2025 spending plans

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are back in session after breaking for last week’s Republican National Convention. Both will remain busy in the coming weeks before adjourning for an August recess.

House Republican leaders face the difficult task of passing seven spending bills in two weeks, several of which never made it across the floor last summer. Congress faces a government funding deadline of Sept. 30.

Seattle restaurants brace for minimum wage hike

Many Seattle businesses may be need to pay as much as $3 more per hour next year when a minimum wage increase takes effect. The increase will end a tiered system that allowed employers with fewer than 500 employees to deduct tips and benefits from hourly wages.

Starting in 2025, all Seattle employers will be required to pay a minimum wage of $19.97 per hour. The planned increase has sent the restaurant industry scrambling, The Seattle Times reports, and one business said it expects to see its expenses increase by $45,000 a month.

Restaurants are asking Seattle City Council to extend the deadline and allow small businesses to continue crediting tips and benefits toward the minimum wage. No legislation has been introduced.

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I-5 bridge replacement wins $1.5B federal grant

The I-5 bridge replacement project has received $1.5 billion in federal funding in what U.S. Sen. Patty Murray called the “the biggest federal transportation award in Washington state history.”

Total federal funds dedicated to the new bridge now cover $4 billion of the the roughly $6 billion price tag. Sen. Maria Cantwell said the project can now begin the bidding process to hire a contractor.

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WA delegation to showcase aerospace sector at UK trade show

Delegates from 16 of Washington's aerospace companies will showcase the state’s latest aerospace innovations this week at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

They will be joined by leaders from the Washington State Department of Commerce and seven economic development organizations across the state. Lt. Gov. Denny Heck will lead an expert panel on innovation and sustainability in the aerospace, aviation and space sectors.

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New manufacturing newsletter available

The July edition of Making Washington, AWB’s monthly manufacturing newsletter, is out now. It includes a look at new state data that shows manufacturing employment in Washington rose to 271,000 in 2023.

Click here to subscribe.

The November 2024 election will determine a new Washington governor and several other influential statewide offices. Secure a front-row seat to the elections at AWB’s 2024 Policy Summit Sept. 17-18 in Spokane.

Key part of civic engagement: AWB will continue its 30-plus-year tradition of hosting debates for statewide candidates. The Policy Summit will include debates for:

• Governor

• Attorney general

• Lands commissioner

• Superintendent of public instruction

Lens on the housing market: Dr. Skylar Olsen, chief economist at the Zillow Group, will share insights on the housing market in a morning keynote. Stay tuned as we announce more Policy Summit speakers and panels.

Best deal on registration, lodging: Buy your tickets now before prices go up on Aug 1. We have a room block at Spokane's Historic Davenport Hotel for attendees. Book by Aug. 16 to secure this discounted rate.

Spotlight on manufacturing: AWB will hit the road again this fall to raise awareness about the importance of the state’s manufacturing sector. This year’s Manufacturing Week bus tour will take place Oct. 2-9. As we plan the route, we may be able to visit your shop floor.

• Apply to become a manufacturing tour stop

Get your name on the bus: There are still some sponsorship opportunities available for Manufacturing Week. Contact AWB’s Carly Michael to learn more.

Tailored to chambers: The 2024 Washington Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Conference is coming up Aug. 20-22 in Ellensburg. The event will provide instruction, education and inspiration for both new and seasoned chamber executives and their staff.

• Hear from chamber leaders and industry experts on a variety of issues and topics through presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions

• Connect and forge relationships with your industry peers at receptions and networking activities

• Enjoy a summer conference in beautiful downtown Ellensburg

See the full agenda.

Secure your spot: The conference cost is $449. Registration closes Aug. 1.

Essential benefit: Clark County companies can now provide health insurance to employees and their families through AWB HealthChoice, thanks to a new partnership with LifeWise Health Plan of Washington.

New customer perspective: Dan Tapani Excavating is one of the first companies in Clark County to sign up for HealthChoice.

“The coverage is great. Looking for a health care plan for employees is very challenging. There are not a lot of options out there. We’re very happy with AWB coming into Clark County with another option,” co-owner Andy Tapani said.

Get your free quote: For more information, please visit propointservices.com/healthchoice, and for a free, no-obligation quote, contact Billy Sangster at billys@propointservices.com.

“For us, it’s a make or break situation.”

~ Amy Fair Gunnar, co-owner of Seattle’s Portage Bay Café, on the city’s upcoming minimum wage increase. Starting in 2025, all Seattle employers, regardless of size, will be required to pay a minimum wage of $19.97 per hour. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees will no longer be able to deduct tips and benefits from hourly wages. Fair Gunnar estimates a $3 increase in hourly wages will raise the restaurant’s expenses by $45,000 a month.