At a time when it is least affordable, the Department of Labor and Industries announced a 7.6 percent increase in workers' comp system premiums for 2010. As chambers of commerce, it is our mission to be the advocate for business in our local communities especially with the challenges of today's economy. One of the biggest frustrations for small business owners is to hear state officials tout the notion that our state is one of the best states in which to do business. What isn't being said is that this state has one of the highest rates of business failures.Small business owners know that the regulatory environment and rising costs of doing business prevents business growth and stability. Growing and stable businesses employ people and keep the economy moving. At a time when it is least affordable, the Department of Labor and Industries announced a 7.6 percent increase in workers’ comp system premiums for 2010. Keep in mind with every business tax increase, every additional regulation, or with every new mandate particularly in health insurance, business growth is stifled.
Ask any business owner what they would rather do...hire more workers and increase production and level of services or pay more taxes. Free enterprise, not government controls, will bring prosperity back to both small business and the workers employed by them. I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to express these thoughts to Senator Claudia Kauffman who met with local economic development directors and chamber executives last week. The Senator listened intently to the concerns expressed by representatives from Covington Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Renton, and Federal Way. Our message was clear: solutions will come only when the policy makers recognize the reality of the cost of doing business in Washington.
As we approach the new legislative session, this chamber will be actively engaged in voicing these concerns to all our state representatives and senators through our membership in the East King County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition and in our annual visit to each legislator in Olympia on Chamber Day in February. And as we have been reminded by our legislators, real stories from real business people carry a strong message. Please contact us with your real story about the challenges of doing business in Washington State. Go to www.maplevalleychamber.org or www.blackdiamondchamber.org and visit our blog to post your story.
Added on 11/09/2009
Filed Under
Business,
Exec's Corner,
Issues by Chamber blog
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