Grassroots Advocacy

The Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber joined the Association of WA Business and dozens of other Chambers in a grassroots advocacy effort. Chambers around the state recognize the extreme hardship businesses are enduring. In light of this, the FME Chamber joined with other chamber leaders to advocate for our local businesses. Read the full content of…

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Legislative Breakfast

The annual Legislative Breakfast is an event where the chamber gathers information to share with our members. And it is a venue to help us champion for policies that are in the best interests of business. Like so many other events this year, it will be a virtual event and we’d like to invite you…

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Small Business Roundtable

As candidates prepare for the upcoming election by granting interviews like those hosted by the chamber, they also try to reach out to the community in other ways. Marilyn Strickland’s campaign will be holding a small business/local chamber roundtable this month.  The roundtable has been set for October 14th at 1:00 pm. 

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Long Term Care Act

Washington is the first state to sign a Long Term Care Act into law. Governor Inslee has signed the LTC Trust Act into law, following approval in the House (55-41) and Senate (26-22). While there are certainly benefits to the idea of long term care insurance, since estimates say 70% of us will need it, this program…

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Workforce Woes? Meet Invista Performance Solutions

FME Chamber has a new member, and I am excited for this partnership. But there are not nearly enough people in our business community who know what they do. Their vision, according to Don, “is to be a trusted partner and an asset to our community.” They collaborate with local community colleges provide customized business…

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Call to Action! Employers understand the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but House Bill 2957 is not right for Washington

What is House Bill 2957 A Washington Supreme Court ruling in January found the state Department of Ecology did not have the authority to regulate indirect air emissions, but the Legislature could grant them that authority. House Bill 2957 is the Legislature’s response to that ruling. Rather than restricting the Department of Ecology’s authority to…

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Legislative Update – Feb 2

Weekly Legislative ReportFebruary 2, 2020 WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS Since the start of session on January 13, 1,717 new bills have been introduced in the Washington State Legislature, making for a grand total of 4,198 bills this biennium. With six weeks left, February 7 is the last opportunity for a bill to exit policy committees in its…

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Week 1 Legislative Update

Welcome Back Washington State’s 66th Biennium resumed this week in Olympia. Washington’s legislative cycle is two years long, with the sessions lasting 105 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even. 2020 is therefore a short session expected to end March 12. New Speaker, New House History was further made on Monday as Rep.…

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2020 Legislative Session Begins

Monday, January 13 marks the first day of the 2020 Legislative Session, which looks to be a short, 60 day session that will end on time. The big issues legislators expect to tackle include: Homelessness — the Governor’s budget proposed a $318 million spending increase in this arena Transportation — Legislators must look at how…

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Reminder – Gas Tax Comments Due

Jan 6 is the last day to submit public comments on the gas tax that The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is proposing. As a Chamber of Commerce, we know this will impact our businesses, as well as us as individual residents of Pierce County. While this tax will not have much of a direct…

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Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave is a benefit for almost all employees in Washington. Starting soon, on January 1, 2020, employees can apply to receive this benefit through the Employment Security Department. Accordingly, employers are required to make sure that your employees have information about the program. This poster from www.paidleave.wa.gov is downloadable and printable.…

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Gas Tax- Call to Action

PROPOSAL FOR HIGHEST COST OF GAS IN THE COUNTRY The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is proposing a gas tax that WILL impact Fife, Milton, and Edgewood communities if it goes into effect. Please speak up. How to speak up: Attend the public hearing December 19th at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle (12:30-4:30pm and…

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