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Home / Washington Business - January/February 2005 / Top Links: Ulcer Gulch, 2005 Legislative Links and More |
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Top Links: Ulcer Gulch, 2005 Legislative Links and More |
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Written On: January/February 2005 |
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Written By: by Alexis Nepomuceno |
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Formerly located on the third floor of the State Capitol dome in Olympia, “Ulcer Gulch” was the place where lobbyists congregated and did much of their business during session. It was a remnant of the “old school” style of politics that used to be the norm of state government — a smoke-filled hallway with pay phones and worn-out couches bustling with activity.
The Seattle Times once described patrons of Ulcer Gulch as, "…foxes in close proximity to the hen house,” because of the Gulch’s location between the House and Senate chambers in the Capitol Building.
Nowadays, Ulcer Gulch is more memory than reality. It almost seems a disservice to call a message center at the basement of the Capitol Building the “Gulch.”
However, we have resurrected the term once synonymous with issues and legislation. Washington Business’ “Ulcer Gulch” pays homage to the history behind the state Legislature and the policy-making process.
More than a “stats page,” the new “Gulch” page will attempt to capture the prevailing attitudes and concerns of business people over a two-month period. Clearly, since November, Washington residents have been inundated with the frustrations surrounding the gubernatorial race(s). This is reflected in the first edition of the “Gulch” on page 8.
“Charting Washington’s Economy,” our page of charts and graphs, has given way to “Ulcer Gulch.” There is much more to a healthy economy than faceless statistics and simple graphs. The daily news wires are peppered with trends, facts and indicators that have a more direct impact on the day-to-day operations of a company than seasonal statistics.
After World War II, lobbyists used the Gulch as a messaging hub while legislators conducted business on the floors of the House or Senate. Ulcer was tacked on to represent the pains and anxieties of lobbyists concerned for their issues. These days, however, Ulcer Gulch’s umbrella doesn’t just cover the stress of individual lobbyists, it covers the trepidation of business owners and managers wondering if the next law passed could ultimately result in one less employee getting a paycheck.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or would just like to share some tidbits that might be used in the future version of “Ulcer Gulch,” please e-mail alexisn@awb.org.
LEGISLATIVE LINKS
Association of Washington Business: www.awb.org
The main online destination for the business community in Washington state, awb.org provides job providers with relevant information on policy developments relating to employers. The site is updated daily, and statewide news summaries can be accessed from www.awb.org/media/dailyroundup.asp.
JobMakers Washington: www.jobmakers.com
“Track legislators the same way you track stocks,” is the best way to describe the unique features of this site. JobMakers examines legislation and measures under consideration by elected officials and voters in Washington state. The site is a joint project of the AWB and the Washington Roundtable.
Washington State Legislature: www.leg.wa.gov
Leg.wa.gov is the portal into the everyday activities of the Washington State Legislature. It serves as the primary clearinghouse for current and background information relating to the State House and Senate. This is also the place to get current and past bill information, RCWs and WACs.
TVW Online: www.tvw.org
Washington State’s Public Affairs Network provides unedited television coverage of state government deliberations and public policy events. The TVW Web site is an excellent place to watch important committee hearings and floor action. TVW also covers major public policy related happenings, such as speeches by the governor and other elected officials.
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