2014 GSI State Agenda

8/13/2019 2014 GSI State Agenda

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2014 State AgendaGreater Spokane Incorporated represents 1,200 member businesses,

employing more than 100,000 individuals. Together with our members, weadvocate in partnership with the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of

Commerce and the West Plains Chamber of Commerce to protect and

influence policy that supports small businesses and a prosperous

business climate for our entire region.

Greater Spokane Incorporated leverages resources and insights of

community and business leaders to enhance the region and lead

advocacy efforts.

Create SomethingGreater


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Business Taxes: GSI will continueto scrutinize efforts in the legislatureto increase business taxes includingthe repeal of business tax exemp-tions and credits, surtaxes leviedon the business and occupation tax

(B&O) and reinstituting tax incen-tives used by businesses in Com-munity Empowerment Zones (CEZs)and high-technology industries andaerospace.

Workers Compensation: GSI sup-ports public policies to reduce thecost of state workers compensa-tion premiums including expandingthe use of structured settlements,decreasing the time period injuredworkers remain in the workers com-pensation system, preferred workers

programs, and expanded opportuni-ties for employers to join retrospec-tive rating programs.

Unemployment Insurance: GSIsupports public policies to reduceunemployment insurance costs bydefending against diversions fromthe unemployment insurance trustfund. We support policies preservingemployers rights to withhold investi-gatory information without penalties.GSI will oppose policies underminingemployers using third party admin-

istrators to process unemploymentinsurance claims.

Energy: GSI will pursue public policiesthat maintain our regions plentiful, af-fordable energy supplies by supportingchanges to the states Energy Indepen-dence Act to allow qualified utilities tocredit excess conservation against theirrenewable portfolio standards, expand-ing renewable energy credit banking,and changing the definition of eligible

renewable resources to include differ-ent hydropower sources.

Regulatory Environment:GSI supportspublic policies that lessen the regulatoryburdens placed on our small businessesby the states regulatory environmentand foster a more business-centric at-titude.

Spokane Valley Tech (SVT): $1 mil-lion to construct an additional 11,000

square feet for instructional and pro-gram purposes.

Spokane Area Workforce Develop-

ment Council (SAWDC): Support forcontinued state investment in workforcedevelopment programs implementedby SAWDC.

Spokane STEM (in partnership with

Washington STEM): $3 - $5 millionto support the creation of a statewidesystem of regional STEM networksto prepare teachers to implement

Common Core and Next Generation

Science Standards, and provide real-world STEM learning experiences tostudents.

Spokane Public Schools:Seekinglegislative authority for School Boardsto adopt local preference provisions inawarding bids and purchasing whenusing local bond and/or levy funds.

K-12 EDUCATION: GSI supports theK-12 legislative request to ensure theState of Washington follows and imple-ments the directives of the McClearydecision. In addition GSI supports:

1.Levy equalization for school districtswith lower property tax bases.2.Full funding of state match for schoolconstruction projects.

HIGHER EDUCATION: The Spokaneregion has more than 80,000 stu-

dents enrolled at community colleges,regional and research universities,and two nationally recognized privateschools. GSI supports the legislativeefforts of the higher education commu-nity and its work to advance workforcedevelopment and research initiatives tostimulate economic growth.

Washington State University (WSU):

$3.6 million to restore maintenance andoperational funding for WSU-Spokanefacilities including the Pharmaceutical& Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary

Medical Research facilities, $500,000per year to support WSU as a co-leadCenter of Excellence for Aviation JetFuel, and $5.3 million in state capitalfunds to design a new Washington Ani-mal Disease Diagnostic and Researchfacility.

Eastern Washington University

(EWU): $4.5 million in capital designfunds for a new science building,$350,000 in pre-design constructionfunds to develop a Center for Academ-ic Engagement facility for professionalhealth sciences and student services

Business Climate

GSI will continue to be an active advo-

cate for our employers and the Spokane

business community. We will continue the

ongoing fight in the legislature against

policies that increase the cost of doing

business with potentially higher business

taxes, higher workers compensationand unemployment insurance premiums,

increasing energy costs and an unfavor-

able state regulatory environment that

undermines small businesses and our

larger industries.

Education & Talent

Talent is the new currency for economicdevelopment. The business, education,

and workforce communities will lead

efforts for 60% of the adult population

to acquire a professional certificate

or an Associates Degree, Bachelors

Degree, Masters Degree, or higher by

the year 2025. GSI supports projects

and legislation that will foster the growth

of a competitive workforce to recruit and

retain businesses in the region.


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on the Spokane Riverpoint Campus,and a funding mechanism to expandexisting recreation and athletic facili-ties to comply with ADA and Title IXrequirements.Community Colleges of Spokane

(CCS): $500,000 to expand, accelerateand advance aerospace manufacturing

and training, $3 million for a one-timefunding request to expand industry-re-sponsive STEM programs, $350,000 toimplement college alignment with K-12Common Core curriculum region-wide,and $900,000 to fund a modest 2% payincrease for faculty and staff.

Maintenance and Preservation:

Funding for maintenance and pres-ervation is needed to address fur-ther deterioration of state highways,bridge safety, and increased need for

transit programs across the State ofWashington. Many counties and citiesacross the state lack the resources tomaintain county roads city streets andbridges. Investment in maintenanceand preservation will provide busi-nesses with the ability to move freightand for their employees to get to andfrom work.

US 395 North Spokane Corridor

(NSC) Francis Avenue to I-90: $750million for the design, right of wayacquisition and construction of the

NSC from Francis Avenue to an interimconnection with I-90.

SR 904/Four Lakes to Cheney: $22million to widen SR 904 from a two lanehighway to a five lane highway betweenFour Lakes and the City of Cheney.

I-90/SR 902 Medical Lake and Geiger

Interchange Improvements: $40 mil-lion for the design and reconstructionof the I-90/SR 902 Interchange and

improvements to the I-90/Geiger Blvd.Interchange.

US 195 Hatch Road to I-90 Corridor/

Hatch Road to Meadowlane Road

Interchange: $73 million for design,right of way acquisition and construc-tion of the Hatch Road and Meadow-lane Road interchange to implementaccess control and convert at gradeintersections to grade separations and/or interchanges.

I-90 Barker Road Interchange to Har-

vard Road Interchange: $89 million forthe design, right of way acquisition andreconstruction of I-90 from Barker Roadto Harvard Road including the recon-struction of the Barker and HarvardRoad interchanges.

Spokane Transit Authority Central

City Line: Regional support for requestof state funding of up to $11.7 millionto match federal funding for necessarycorridor improvements, and to constructand operate a Modern Electric Trolley(MET) between Gonzaga University and

Brownes Addition via downtown Spo-kane and the University District.

Spokane Transit Authority construc-

tion of the West Plains Transit Center

near Exit 272 (I-90 at SR 902): Re-gional support for $8 million in fundingover the next two biennia for designand implementation of a West PlainsTransit Center near Exit 272 to providequick and safe transit access to I-90both eastbound and westbound. Theproject funding would be derived fromthe Washington State Regional Mobilitygrant program.

Catholic Charities Spokane, Commu-

nity Frameworks and Habitat for Hu-

manity:$16.5 million from the Wash-ington State Department of Commercefor the implementation of SpokaneArea Accident Potential Zone Density

Reduction Project, which will provide145 affordable housing units for resi-dents currently living in manufacturedhomes in the Accident Potential ZoneII (APZ II). APZ II has been identifiedby the U.S. Air Force as a potentialcrash zone and is an encroachment onFairchild Air Force Base.

Spokane Low Income Housing Con-

sortium (SLIHC): Requests supportfor continued investment in the stateHousing Trust Fund to develop afford-able housing in Spokane County.

Frontier Behavioral Health: Requestslegislative review of the state fund-ing formula for critical mental healthservices.

Spokane County Community Ser-

vices, Housing, and Community

Development Department: Requestssupport to restore state funding fornon-Medicaid mental health treatmentfor the Regional Support Network(RSN).

(continued)

Transportation

GSI is recognized as the regional leader

in collaborating with community partnerson state transportation funding. GSI along

with its state, regional and local partners,

will pursue state transportation funding,

including new state transportation rev-

enue, to support the many transportation

needs of the Spokane region.

Community

Partners

GSI supports the regional nonprofit

community in its advocacy efforts to

secure funding to deliver health services

and provide affordable housing to the

regions most vulnerable population. In

addition, GSI support community efforts

to provide art and cultural awareness

and recreational opportunities in the

region.


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Jay InsleeWashington State Governor (D)

Andy Billig3rd District Senator (D)

Timm Ormsby3rd District Representative (D)

Marcus Riccelli3rd District Representative (D)

Mike Padden4th District Senator (R)

TO BE APPOINTED4th District Representative

Matt Shea4th District Representative (R)

Michael Baumgartner6th District Senator (R)

State GovernmentJeff Holy6th District Representative (R)

Kevin Parker6th District Representative (R)

Brian Dansel7th District Senator (R)

Joel Kretz7th District Representative (R)

Shelly Short7th District Representative (R)

Mark Schoesler9th District Senator (R)

Susan Fagan9th District Representative (R)

Joe Schmick9th District Representative (R)

Advocating for business with a strong unified voice | www.greaterspokane.org | Create Something Greater

Photography provided by BHW1, DominicBonuccelli, INHS, Spokane International Airport, and

WSU Spokane.

Greater Spokane Incorporateds 2013 - 2014Public Policy program is sponsored by:

Lydig Constructionwww.lydig.com

Sunshine Disposal and Recyclingwww.sunshinedisposal.com

The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations: $5 million in state capi-tal funding to build the Center of Youth Empowerment to provide thefull continuum of care for youth across the region and state.

Mt. Spokane: $250,000 in state funds to match local funds for re-modeling the main lodge at Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture: Seeking a recurring$375,000 increase in maintenance level funding to maintain theregions premier cultural and educational institution about the Inland

Northwest.

Spokane Regional Sports Commission: $250,000 in state capitalfunds for the preliminary design of a new 127,000 square foot multi-use sports complex.

University District: $5 - $7 million for the construction and mainte-nance of the University District Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge.

Renewable Energy Designation:The City of Spokane seeks a re-newable energy designation for electricity generated at SpokanesWaste to Energy (WTE) Facility. Such a designation would maintainthe value and economic development potential of the energy pro-duced by the facility.

Public Works Assistance Account: Maintain the viability of thePublic Works Assistance Account as a means of obtaining lowinterest loans. The use of PWAA funds for state general operatingbudget costs should be prohibited, preserving the funds for theiroriginal purpose.

Urban Development Regulations: Support efforts to decreaseregulations that hamper urban development or redevelopment rela-tive to other jurisdictions.

Spokane County:Support for the Washington State Association ofCounties Fiscal sustainability initiative to provide Washington Coun-ties the ability to control cost and revenue.

Documents

2014 GSI State Agenda