3-13-2006
Recommendations on improving
small business climate released
Washington Policy Center has released its new study “Reviving Washington’s Small Business Climate: Policy Recommendations from the 2005 Small Business Conferences” in Olympia. The press conference included the following legislative leaders:
  • Rep. Richard DeBolt, Minority leader
  • Rep. Maralyn Chase, member of the Economic Development, Agriculture and Trade Committee
  • Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, Republican deputy leader
  • Rep. Lynn Kessler, House majority leader, did not attend the press conference but had this to say on the new study, “As a small business owner and manager I wholeheartedly support your efforts on behalf of the small businesses in our state. I wish that I were able to attend today but my schedule is such that I will not be able to join you. There are several items on your report that I would be happy to support.”

Small business owners were asked to identify their policy recommendations in critical areas such as health insurance, transportation, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, taxes, regulations, tort reform and water and energy, and this study is a compilation of the top recommendations. Many of these recommendations are already included in bills for the 2006 Session. In 2004, as a result of the report compiled after the 2003 Small Business Conference, five pieces of legislation directly reflecting Conference recommendations were signed into law.

Contact Lyndsey Hartje at (888) 972-9272 or lhartje@washingtonpolicy.org for more information.