POLICY BP
Reason for optimism in 2022: three new ways local businesses can engage on policy issues in the new year Dann Mead Smith As business owners and workers at businesses across Whatcom County, you are busy balancing your work and family life while at the same time trying to keep an eye on topics that impact you. There are so many issues coming out of local governments in Whatcom County and, of course, at the state and federal levels that impact businesses and their ability to grow and hire more workers, which is why it is important to become involved with impactful advocacy organizations like the Whatcom Business Alliance. As we start a new year, it is exciting to see three new organizations that are now operating in our state that can compliment the great work of the WBA and other organizations in Whatcom County and help you stay
up-to-date on issues as well as offering ways for you to engage and get involved. The Center Square/Franklin News Foundation The Center Square was launched to fulfill the need for high-quality statehouse and other public policy news. The focus of its work is state- and local-level government and economic reporting. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes its work from other coverage of state and local issues. As a result of this approach, readers are better informed about the focus of state and local government and its cost to the citizens and businesses whose tax dollars fund governmental decisions. The Center Square engages readers with essential news, data and analysis — delivered with velocity, frequency and consistency. Stories are distrib-
uted through three main channels at no cost to readers: a newswire service, TheCenterSquare.com, and social media. The Center Square has launched a new Washington state bureau, which includes an editor and reporting staff based here in Washington and now produces a weekly email compiling their recent articles and daily stories that are being picked up by newspapers, TV and radio across our state. I encourage you to sign up for Washington state stories at https://www. thecentersquare.com/washington. Change Washington Change Washington is a strategic communications organization focused on bringing a business perspective and common sense to policy discussions across the state. Though not directly involved in last year’s Seattle election and not supporting candidates,
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JAN/FEB 2022 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM
