PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE First Quarter in review

Nelson Holmberg, SWCA

Public Affairs Committee Co-Chair

First Quarter: The Longest Year PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Was that only the first quarter?

One of my favorite internet memes at the moment says it well: “2020 is a unique leap year; it has 29 days in February, 300 days in March, and five years in April.”

With the ongoing fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), business in Clark County and SW Washington still has more fight ahead. One currently closed restaurateur shared with me that “restarting will cost six figures when everything is added up - rent, taxes, perishables, and training of new employees. Our industry will likely be the last one to reopen,” he said. “Time, at this point, is not on my side.” It is precisely this kind of information that’s great for the Public Affairs Committee to hear, so we are deeply grateful to those who participate in the committee by communicating with Chamber staff, or with those who serve on the PAC. Just a reminder to you all that my inbox is always open! For inquiries or additional information, please send me a note at Nelson@SWCA.org.

Rebound & Recovery

Heading into the summer, it’s becoming more widely anticipated that Governor Inslee will call for a special session of the legislature to address helping the state recover from the economic damage done by COVID-19. Even if there is not a special session, it’s likely the legislature will spend extensive time on recovery in the regular session that convenes in January 2021. That said, it’s important for the business community to have its priorities not only identified, but also clearly delineated so that we can express the needs of small businesses owners who have been damaged by the pandemic.

Local Impacts

Some of the other effects the virus has forced in our community include major funding shortages at the City of Vancouver, as well as the rest of the other local jurisdictions. Vancouver alone will face a funding gap projected at $30 million to $60 million, mostly in lost sales tax receipts. This is due to not only the shuttering of hundreds of businesses in the community, but also due to our popular summer events. As of writing this, groups of 250 or more are banned in the City of Vancouver until August 2020. We’re also seeing a shift in the City of Vancouver’s approach to Stronger Vancouver. Mayor McEnerny-Ogle reported during our April meeting of the PAC that the city is trying to preserve assets, and as such, Stronger Vancouver has been put “on the corner of the desk.” The mayor said it may be a year or two before they can start to move it to a priority spot again.

Facing Uncertainty

Uncertainty for business is a major factor, as each of those represented at the April PAC meeting shared that not knowing what to expect while change is happening so rapidly is a huge concern for them. We’ll be working with the state to help provide clarity about how resources from the federal and state governments will flow as well as advocate for equal eligibility and access to the programs promising security.

As the business landscape in our community continues to change, and as we keep working diligently to represent you in Olympia, we always welcome your concerns.

That’s what we’re here for.

Learn more about the Public Affairs Committee and the 2020 Agenda on VancouverUSA.com