KELSO – LONGVIEW
Vol. 3, No. 1 • Jan. 2011
Business Connection Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce • Longview Downtowners
DURING THE SESSION ~
Chamber members to connect with Legislators The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee is hosting a weekly Legislative Breakfast Briefing and cordially invites you to participate. The Legislative Breakfast Briefing begins January 10, 2010 and will continue every Monday thereafter through the end of the session.
around the
WATER COOLER
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Balancing the State budget . . . Page 5
January – April
Legislative Update Breakfast Mondays • 7:00 am Monticello Hotel LaRiviere Room
May – December
1563 Olympia Way • Longview, WA 98632
PAID
Centralia, WA 98531 Permit #26
Presorted Std U.S. Postage
Legislative Committee Meetings Last Monday of each month 12 Noon Monticello Hotel LaRiviere Room
Longview School District levies ~ Here are the Facts The Longview School District has two current levies that are both scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011. The issue to the voters will be to authorize continuing both levies for three (3) years into 2012, 2013 and 2014.
tion projects. The 2010 rate is $0.28, the 2011 estimated rate is $0.30 and the 2012-14 rate is estimated to be $0.33.
The first is a traditional M & O (Maintenance and Operations) Levy that represents the "bread and butter" of everyday school in that it contributes 20% of the operating budget. The 2010 rate is $2.74, the 2011 estimated rate is $3.05 and the 2012-14 rate is estimated to be $3.39.
•Two-thirds of student computer labs do not fully meet standards defined as current by the state.
Local levy monies help maintain basic programs and services for students: •Textbooks, supplies and other classroom needs •Sports, music and other extracurricular activities •Preservation, renovation and modernization (PRAM) projects for school buildings. The second is a special T & C (Technology and Capital Projects) Levy that is providing essential student computers and financing building preserva-
State support of schools has not included technology, as follows:
•More than half of the teacher (desktop or laptop) computers do not meet standards.
Each week, contact is made with our local legislators, either in person or by conference call, for an update on the bills and issues currently under consideration. As a business, you often feel the impact from some of the decisions made by our State Legislators on your ability to do business in Washington State. In its role as the Voice of Business, the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce is doing its part to influence legislative decisions affecting your business. We encourage you, as Chamber members, to attend our monthly committee meetings as well as our weekly Legislative Update meetings to discuss your concerns with our legislators.
Recognizing tight economy, Chamber holds the line on dues The Kelso Longview Chamber recognizes the burden the tight economy has had on the businesses in the community. For the second year, the Chamber is choosing to defer an increase in membership dues. We are also offering a cost savings to our members of a 10% reduction in their annual dues if they pay by January 31, 2011.
The combined levies’ cost for a $150,000 home is $453.00 this year, $502.50 for 2011, and $558.00 for 201214. This amounts to a $49.50 increase next year and $56.00 increase for 2012-14.
For more information, contact the Chamber Team: 360-423-8400.
Low income seniors and disabled adults may qualify for school levy tax waivers. The Cowlitz County Assessor's office has information.
Business Briefs . . . . . . . . . 3
The levies will be voted on the February 8, 2011 ballot.
President’s Message . . . . . . 7
IN THIS ISSUE Business Toolbox . . . . . . . . 4 Around the Water Cooler . . 5 Longview Downtowners 8 & 9 Mark Your Calendar . . . . . 10