State budget, competitiveness issues top the agenda for small, medium and large Washington state businesses

OLYMPIA — Eliminating unfunded laws, enacting state government reforms and implementing tax reform for businesses will go a long way toward creating long-term, sustainable budgets for Washington state. That’s the message more than 200 representatives from Washington’s private employers will deliver to lawmakers next week during the Association of Washington Business Legislative & Lobby Days in Olympia.

In order to resolve the state’s ongoing fiscal crises, AWB members want legislators to focus this session on solving both the $1.5 billion budget gap and the ongoing, long-term cycle of budget deficits.

On Tuesday, members will gather at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia to hear from lawmakers as they discuss the tax and fiscal issues, employment law, education and energy issues with members of the 2012 Legislature. At noon, Gov. Gregoire will address attendees and help present the association’s Better Workplace Awards for exceptional workplace safety, job training and benefit programs.

Wednesday, AWB members will visit the legislative campus to interact with their district lawmakers and discuss key policy issues.

AGENDA

WHO: Association of Washington Business

WHAT: 2012 AWB Legislative Day & Lobby Day

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 17

WHERE Red Lion Hotel Olympia
2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Capitol Campus
Olympia

For the day’s agenda and to learn more: http://www.awblegislativeday.com/ .

About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,700 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

- AWB -