Pullman Chamber releases 2019 legislative agenda

In the first edition of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee newsletter, the committee outlined its goals for the 2019 legislative agenda — the first time it has been shared outside of the chamber’s board and the committee.

The committee’s 2019 agenda includes limiting carbon policies, supporting mental health services and reliable internet, eliminating K-12 levy inequalities and funding for Highway 195 south bypass, Marie Dymkoski, executive director of the chamber, said.

“The agenda gives us a platform to say, ‘These are the things that could hurt or help our businesses,’” Dymkoski said.

The committee’s interest in education and mental health services is a way to benefit the entire community, Dymkoski said, and that means a collaboration between Washington State University, the Pullman School District, Pullman Regional Hospital and local businesses.

“Working together with all of us on that level is what makes Pullman excel,” she said.

Dymkoski said prior to this year, the committee didn’t have a platform to share the agenda, but an outburst of concern about minimum wage increases brought more interest in the committee’s plans.

“Many businesses in Pullman were already paying $15 an hour, but smaller businesses were affected,” Dymkoski said. “So they have an interest in a slower minimum wage increase.”

The committee puts its agenda together in the fall, Dymkoski said, and bases it around conversations with Ninth District legislators, who tip off the committee to what upcoming legislation may affect the area’s businesses.

“Carbon can hurt businesses like SEL, so they take a position against it,” Dymkoski said. “We know the governor is asking for a lot of money, and a lot of other chambers may not agree with that, either.”

Only current chamber members can sit in on the committee’s meetings with legislators, but any individual or business in the county can become a member of the chamber.

During a legislative session, the committee meets on the first and third Fridays of each month for a one-hour phone conference with Ninth District legislators at the SEL Event Center in Pullman. The committee meets remotely with legislators only on the third Friday of the month when the Legislature is not in session.

Dymkoski said the committee’s weekly newsletter was started to allow those who were interested in the committee, but couldn’t attend meetings to stay in the loop.

Through the chamber’s advocacy, businesses are able to speak directly and through letters with legislators across the state in Olympia to make their voices heard.

“We appreciate having the platform and the opportunity to get information out so community members can advocate for their own businesses as well,” Dymkoski said.