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These are the positions of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Area
Chamber of Commerce on past initiatives and issues.
Endorsement
of February 8, 2005, Peninsula School District Levy
WHEREAS, a strong school system contributes to a community's vitality, and,
WHEREAS, great schools play an integral role in developing great communities,
and,
WHEREAS, local businesses, citizens and property owners know the benefits of
a quality school district that is supported by its community through continued
levy passage, and,
WHEREAS, strong educational programs produce and sustain solid citizens,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber
of Commerce strongly endorses passage of the February 8, 2005, Peninsula School
District Maintenance and Operations levy and will take a vigorous, visible
role in support of the levy.
FURTHERMORE, the Chamber of Commerce supports a "yes" vote for the
School district maintenance & operations levy election.
Adopted this 16th day of November, 2004
The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Eddon Boatworks Property
I-333- Biaw’s Workers Compensation Reform Initiative
Initiative 884
Initiative 892
SUMMARY OF ISSUE:
The historic Eddon Boatworks property and three adjacent waterfront
properties are currently for sale by a developer. If this happens,
the existing buildings will be demolished, residences will be built,
access to the waterfront will be lost, and public views of the
waterfront will be diminished. The City of Gig Harbor will ask
voters in November
to approve a $3.5 million bond measure for the City to buy the
property. Approval of this measure will put this property into
the hands of
the public, preserving local history and increasing the public’s
access to the waterfront. POSITION:
The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce supports the
passage of the Bond Measure to purchase the Eddon Boatworks property
and
the adjacent waterfront properties at a fair appraised value.
RATIONALE:
This property is believed to be the last intact boatyard in the
Puget Sound area. It is in its original configuration from when
it was
built in 1946. Its historical importance to Gig Harbor contributes
to the character of the downtown and to the historical tone and
charm that makes Gig Harbor a destination and a cherished place
to live.
The property when preserved will
enhance Gig Harbor’s ambience
as the “Maritime City.” The boatyard and properties could
be used for educational, recreational and cultural activities, particularly
related to the wooden boat industry. The property also provides access
to the waterfront. It offers as much waterfront frontage as the Skansie
property does. This is a rare opportunity for the City to preserve
public access to the waterfront.
The downtown business community is
supporting the purchase of these properties. Our support of this
effort will show them that the
Chamber of Commerce understands and appreciates issues that are
important
to them and supports the revitalization efforts of the downtown.
The cost of the bond measure would
be $22.15 per $100,000 of the assessed value of the property per
year, bringing the total
tax
burden in Gig Harbor per $100,000 to $1,247.52. (In comparison,
homeowners
in Pierce County pay $1,290.18) If this effort fails, it is
expected that the buildings on the site will be demolished and high-end
residences will be built there.
No known opposition exists at this time. However, one can imagine
that the arguments against the purchase of the property would
be that it is too expensive, it increases taxes which is particularly
hard on seniors who are on fixed incomes, the City has enough
parks
already, and that the City has no business owning an aging
boatyard. But again, no group has come forward to write a statement
of
opposition for the ballot measure and there is no organized
effort speaking
up against it.
As approved October 20, 2004
Story about Eddon Boatworks issue
in the Peninsula Gateway.
SUMMARY OF ISSUE:
The Building Industry Association of Washington has filed Initiative
333 (I-333). I-333 concerns workers’ compensation. This measure
would revise workers’ compensation benefits, including redefining
wages to exclude fringe benefits, modifying maximum benefits payable
to surviving spouses and dependents; and establishing new limits
on payments to disabled workers. Ballot Measure Summary: This measure
would revise the state’s
laws concerning workers’ compensation. The term “wages” would
be redefined and would exclude fringe benefits. Death and disability
benefits to workers, spouses and dependents would be limited to 120%
of the average monthly wage in the state, adjusted for inflation.
Adjusting benefits to reflect changed circumstances would no longer
be allowed. Annual audits would be required. New limits would be
set on fees for attorneys representing workers or beneficiaries.
POSITION:
The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce strongly supports
Initiative 333.
RATIONALE:
Washington’s Workers Compensation system has many problems.
In 2003, there was a 29.5% rate increase followed by a 19.4% increase
in 2004. These increases, combined with double-digit increases in
unemployment, health care and liability insurance premiums, create
a tremendous hardship to the businesses in the Gig Harbor community.
Although it is one of the largest insurance companies in the state,
L&I is not subject to the same strict accounting practices required
of private firms. Rate setting and reserve policies are inadequate.
The calculation of benefits requires revision. Additionally there
are no attorney fee limits.
The problems with the system make Washington non-competitive,
add burdens to business owners and make it difficult for the
state
to attract and retain businesses.
The BIAW’s
Initiative 333:
- Will make Washington’s workers’ compensation
system consistent with other states.
- Will result in higher benefits to 80% of injured workers
while at the same time reduce costs for employers in
the state.
- Will help injured works get their disability payments
sooner (by minimizing administrative burdens associated
with processing
claims).
- Will bring cost of living adjustments in line with inflation.
(rather than COLA)
- Will help injured workers return to work faster by minimizing
regulatory hurdles at L&I. (time loss duration has spiked since 2001 and
Washington’s injured workers stay off the job 50%
longer than workers in other states)
- Will limit how much trial attorneys can take from injured
worker disability awards.
- Will hold L&I accountable for how the workers’ compensation
system is run via annual independent audits of the fund.
As approved September 21, 2004
SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE:
Proposes a 15.4% increase in Washington State sales tax.
The measure would create an education trust fund to support public
education
POSITION:
The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes
Initiative 884.
RATIONALE:
-
Washington State already has one of the highest sales taxes in
the United States.
- Higher sales tax will drive the cost of goods and services
up, resulting in lower sales and loss of business in the
community.
- It will deter businesses from locating to Washington State.
- If passed, the funds would be targeted to public schools
only. Private schools such as PLU, UPS, Whitman, etc
would not benefit
from the
tax increase.
- The initiative lacks real accountability and does not
call for improvement results.
As approved August 17, 2004
SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE:
If adopted, Initiative 892 would allow state-licensed facilities,
such as mini-casinos, charity groups, bowling alleys, restaurants
and taverns to install electronic slot machines at the same ratio
as permitted to tribal casinos.
POSITION:
The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes
Initiative 892.
RATIONALE:
Currently, only Tribal Casinos can offer video slot machines.
They pay no taxes on this income. The proposed initiative would
give
our local member businesses the same opportunities as the Indian
Tribes
to take advantage of additional revenue sources. It also offers
fair competition.
However, the Chamber Board of Directors feels
that any electronic slot machines are bad for the community, whether
operated by
tribal casinos or by state-licensed facilities.
Other states, such as Montana and Oregon, have
allowed the electronic slot machines in their towns. Testimonies
from the
residents
describe that the allowance of electronic slot machines, including
mini-casinos,
into their communities resulted in a decline of character and
quality of life. Many of the communities expressed verbal remorse
for approving
such legislation.
Part of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber
of Commerce’s
Vision statement reads, “The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber
of Commerce will be a community leader in providing a vibrant economic
base that creates good jobs, a clean environment, and desirable place
to live.” The “no” position supports the vision
statement.
As approved August 17, 2004
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