Washington Earns a C+ For Small Business Friendliness, A+ for Training and Networking Programs

WA Governments Barely Passing, Need Improvement in Attitude Towards Small Business

Small business owners in Washington gave the state one of the country's highest marks for local training programs, but found its regulatory environment challenging, according to Thumbtack’s annual Small Business Friendliness Survey. Complete results for Washington are

Eastside Employers Invited to Commute Advantage WorkSmart Telework Workshop in Bellevue

Eastside Employers to Learn How to Profit from Workplace Strategy

Eastside Employers Will Find Predictable, flexible and efficient commute options keys to employee retention and productivity

Teleworking allows employees to do more while commuting less with Eastside employers seeing a return to their bottom line. Eastside Employers could save 25 to 90 percent in overhead, in situations where employees do not require permanent workspace at the office, according to WorkSmart, a King County Metro program specializing in workplace strategy. Eastside employers can hear more from WorkSmart at a free Telework Lunch-and-Learn 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, in Downtown Bellevue.

The first 25 people to register and attend receive a $10 coffee card. The event is free but a registration is required. RSVP by emailing commuteadvantage@cywb.org.

Commute Advantage Telework Lunch-and-Learn

Date: Wednesday, June 17^th, 2015

Location: The Summit (PSE Building), 10885 NE 4^th St, Bellevue

Paid parking available

(Access off of 108^th Ave NE or 110^th Ave NE – Parking cost: $11)

 

Doors open 11:30 a.m. Program noon to 1 p.m.

Complimentary lunch will be served

 

According to WorkSmart Telework and Flexible Work Hours can help businesses:

• Improve productivity by up to 20 percent


• Reduce absenteeism by two to four days per worker per year


• Improve employee recruitment and retention


• Eliminate tardiness


• Save on overhead costs


• Ensure business continuity during construction or other disruptions

Eastside Employers will learn:

• How an effective telework or flexible work-hours program benefits your business’ Bottom line and improves work/life balance.


• What other local business leaders have done to implement successful programs.


• About WorkSmart’s free consulting services for developing or expanding teleworking and flexible work hours

About Commute Advantage

Commute Advantage is a Choose Your Way Bellevue program made possible by a partnership between the City of Bellevue, King County Metro and the Bellevue Downtown Association. Choose Your Way Bellevue is Bellevue's one-stop shop for learning about your travel options. Bellevue's transportation system offers a range of travel options that provide people who live and work in the City with viable alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle. Strategies to balance the options for how people travel into, out of, and through the City are considered under the heading "transportation demand management" or TDM.

About WorkSmart

The WorkSmart program offers workplace strategies to help your company increase employee productivity, improve business continuity and contribute to environmental sustainability. These cutting-edge strategies include telework, coworking, compressed work week, and alternate scheduling. WorkSmart services are free to employers, thanks to the Washington State Department of Transportation, King County Metro, the City of Seattle, and the Federal Transit Administration.

King Conservation District Announces $650,000 in Regional Food System Grants

King Conservation District to Award Grants to Support King County Agriculture

King Conservation District will make available $650,000 of regional food systems grants in support of King County agriculture through a grant process that was just announced on their website (www.kingcd.org). Grants will be awarded to fund food system related projects with demonstrated public benefit and a link to improving working farm lands in King County.

To learn more, a Launch Event will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at the TAF/Bethaday Learning Center (605 SW 108^th Street, Seattle, WA 98146) at 10 am and is open to the public.

Any individual, non-profit, business, school, special district, Tribe or King County jurisdiction within the boundaries of King Conservation District may submit a Letter of Intent for consideration. Documents to submit a Letter of Intent can be found on KCD’s website (www.kingcd.org) and are due by 5pm on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. In addition to responses of four relevant questions regarding the proposed project, applicants must arrange for submission of three peer reviews. “Our hope is, by requiring three peer reviews for each Letter of Intent, we will be encouraging a sense of community around the entire grant application process,” notes King Conservation District Program Manager, Josh Monaghan.   KCD is available to help facilitate the peer review match making process, if needed.

Upon receipt, Letters of Intent will be ranked and based on the results invitations will be issued to attend a Grant Proposal Workshop on Monday, July 20, 2015.   At the Workshop, applicants will give a 15 minute presentation of their proposed project. Once again, this step is intended to encourage a sense of community amongst grant seekers and foster collaboration between proposed projects.   A full grant proposal is due to KCD by Friday, September 4, 2015.

During the months of September and October 2015, a cadre of external grant reviewers, KCD’s Advisory Committee and Board of Supervisors will be ranking the grant proposals and award announcements will be made at the end of October.

In the development of this grant program, KCD staff has been actively engaged with regional food systems planning groups including the King County Local Food Initiative and the Regional Food Policy Council’s Action Plan among others. These groups have been key in identifying gaps in infrastructure, production and marketing that affect King County agriculture and keep it from becoming a more robust economic driver in our region. Outgoing King County Food Initiative Program Manager, Lilly Simmering, attests to the importance of this grant opportunity, “The funds that KCD brings to the table help fill the critical gaps left open by restrictions in federal and state grants.”

The public is encouraged to download the Letter of Intent documents on KCD’s website (www.kingcd.org) and attend the Launch Event at 10 am on June 10^th at TAF/Bethaday Learning Center (605 SW 108^th, Seattle, WA 98146). Questions regarding the grant process can be directed to foodfarmgrant@kingcd.org.

King Conservation District is a special purpose district created to assist private landowners manage and steward their natural resources through education, technical assistance and cost share programs.

Governor To Sign NFIB-Backed Health-Care Costs Bill

At a bill-signing ceremony scheduled for this morning at 10:30 a.m. in his office, Gov. Jay Inslee will put his signature on a measure that NFIB led the coordination and legislative passage of: An All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) that will eventually empower everyone in Washington state to compare quality and costs among health-care providers.

“Pairing cost and quality metrics in an All-Payer Claims Database is our best hope of educating and empowering employers to identify or design health-benefits plans that meet the needs of their particular workforce, and ultimately, give families and individuals access to meaningful information to guide their health-care purchasing decisions,” said Patrick Connor, Washington state director for America’s leading small-business association, the National Federation of Independent Business.

According to a report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Basics of All-Payer Claims Databases, “APCDs are large-scale databases that systematically collect medical claims, pharmacy claims, dental claims (typically, but not always), and eligibility and provider files from private and public payers. The first statewide APCD system was established in Maine in 2003 … Currently, more than 30
states have, are implementing, or have strong interest in APCDs.”

Senate Bill 5084, which the governor will sign into law today, had strong support among small businesses, health-care providers and patient organizations with 35 groups supporting the bill when it was initially heard in the Senate Health Care Committee and 27 groups signing in support of the House version of the bill. No group stated opposition to the bill.

SB 5084 corrects flaws in a law passed by the Legislature last year to establish an APCD. Among the problems with the existing law was that it lacked a requirement for all health insurers to submit their data. Experience in other states has shown that without a mandate, it is impossible to provide a comprehensive picture of the cost and quality of health care.

Data that would be submitted under the new law would include financial information, which would allow for analyses about health-care value—meaning quality and cost information about the cost of episodes of care, such as hospitalizations, which had not previously been broadly available.

Because the cost and availability of health care has been the No. 1 worry of small-business owners for 30 years, Connor took the lead in coordinating the activities of the Coalition for Health Care Cost Transparency. “It has been a two-year effort to enact and perfect the statutory framework authorizing a true All-Payer Claims Database for Washington state, but once it is fully up and running, employers, consumers, providers, and even policymakers should see the immense value of it in making health-care providers more competitive, the result of which will make medical coverage more affordable while improving outcomes for patients.”

Time Features City of Bellevue's Smart Traffic Lights in Article

In an article at Time.com, Time Magazine has featured the City of Bellevue's Smart Traffic Lights as being a super successful investment in traffic infrastructure.  Please see How Smart Traffic Lights Could Transform Your Commute for the full article.

Maybe Seattle could use Bellevue as an example to follow to help alleviate some of their extremely horrible traffic?

Thank you to Social Media Marketing Coach Stacia Loo for spotting this news of importance to all who live, work and/or play in beautiful Bellevue.

Bellevue Youth Theatre Grand Opening

The grand opening of the new Bellevue Youth Theatre this past March was attended by over 400 people and featured a ribbon cutting, musical performances and tours of the 12,000 square foot space.

How Could Olympia Stoop So Low? by Michael “Buffalo” Mazzetti

Why does the Washington State Legislature (WSL) want to undermine medical cannabis? Alison Holcomb and Peter Holmes with Initiative 502 clearly stated that if passed, it would have no effect on medical cannabis laws. Reassuring voters that “I-502 won't harm patients”.

Senate Bill SB 5052 is an effort by the WSL that could doom our medical cannabis patient rights. This bill could bring harm and even death to many medical cannabis patients. Why would the WSL do this? Immediately, three reasons grab my attention: knowledge deficit, power, and greed. Let’s examine this.

Knowledge deficit: The WSL is way behind the leading edge of medical cannabis study. Amazing anecdotal stories of healing are coming to the public's attention daily. Legislative bills presented in this session don’t recognize the unique organism of each individual human nor our specific medical condition. New and promising cannabis plant varieties and delivery systems are being developed as we speak. They would limit the number of plants a patient could grow to less than half the current amount-severely limiting the patient’s right and ability to find out if a high CBD plant serves them better than a THC plant, not to mention CBG, CBN or a variety of terpines.

Greed: I- 502 created a huge lobby of 502 growers, processors and retail store owners in Olympia. Many members know nothing about the exciting miracle of medical cannabis. They want to sell recreational pot. SB 5052 would force patients to purchase their medicine from recreational stores under the guidance of the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB). Growers following the guidelines of the WSLCB can produce cannabis heavily laden with non-organic chemicals (248 pesticides are approved for use). Medical patients lose again, by being forced to smoke, ingest or topically use medicine grown with chemicals known to exacerbate their conditions. The WSLCB have held secret meetings to end medical cannabis.¹

Power: Campaign contributions put and keep our Legislators in office. Public records show that the prime sponsor of SB 5052, Senator Ann Rivers-(R) 18th District, has received substantial contributions from large pharmaceutical corporations. Pfizer, Abbott and Eli Lilly have all contributed heavily to her last campaign. Big Pharma has always been opposed to medical cannabis because this natural remedy will cut deeply into their billion $ profits.

It is up to the public to hold the WSL accountable. SB 5052 has not passed the House. Please call your representative today and tell them SB 5052 is not acceptable. The legislature needs to work with cannabis patients groups to work out an acceptable way to provide safe access to quality medicine.

If these efforts fail to convince the WSL that we need medical cannabis, the public must once again take the initiative.

Citizens Initiative-1372 will strengthen and protect medical use of cannabis. You can find petitions at: www.cppwa.org. Please download a copy, sign it, get your friends to sign it and send it to the address on the petitions by June 27, 2015. This may be the only way to bring common sense regarding medical cannabis to the WSL. I-1372 creates a board made up of the state and the community to govern over all aspects of the medical cannabis market with a separate revenue to remain revenue neutral. This is something that the WSL will not do.

AWB statement on proposed Senate budget

Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus’ proposed 2015-17 state operating budget:

“No budget is perfect, but this proposal is an encouraging step for Washington families and employers. It prioritizes education spending, both for K-12 students and college and university students, and it manages to do so without raising taxes on families or employers.

“By avoiding tax increases, Senate leaders have demonstrated they understand that Washington’s economy is still fragile and that many parts of the state are still struggling to emerge from years of recession. In 37 of 39 counties, Washington’s unemployment rate remains higher than the national average. They also proved that it’s possible for the state to live within its means, something that voters have made clear they want.

“We recognize this budget is very different from the one that House leaders proposed, but we are hopeful that lawmakers in the Senate will quickly approve it so legislators in both chambers can begin the hard work of finding a bipartisan compromise that works for all Washingtonians.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

AWB statement on proposed House budget

Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, issued the following statement Monday in response to the proposed 2015-17 state operating budget heard by members of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Although this budget makes some important investments in education and social services, it is disappointing for Washington employers, particularly small-business owners, because it proposes to pay for them by raising taxes on small businesses, a group that already pays more than its share of the state’s tax burden. Washington businesses pay more than 54 percent of state and local taxes.

“Raising the state’s gross receipts tax, known as the business and occupation (B&O) tax by 20 percent on services, as this budget proposes, would hit more than 100,000 small businesses hard at a time when most of the state is still waiting for the economic recovery to arrive. In 37 of 39 counties, Washington’s unemployment rate remains higher than the national average and in many counties, including Pacific, Grays Harbor and Okanogan, the unemployment rate is above 10 percent.

“We also have concerns about the proposed capital gains tax. Although it’s described as a tax on high-income individuals, it could impact a wider group than intended, including some small businesses.

“Raising taxes in this climate, and repealing tax incentives that voters have previously endorsed, will make Washington less competitive for many employers, particularly small, family-owned businesses, and will not stimulate much-needed job growth.

“Washington is expected to bring in $3 billion more during the next budget cycle. That’s about a 9 percent increase over the current budget, a rate of growth that most businesses would be delighted to see. Voters have made it clear they want lawmakers to fund necessary services while still living within their means.

“We look forward to seeing the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus’ budget proposal soon.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

16,000 Jobs Lost Under House Bill 1355

Washington state could lose more than $7 billion in economic output and 16,000 jobs should House Bill 1355 become law, according to testimony given today by Patrick Connor, Washington state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s largest and leading small-business association.

Connor presented the findings from a report conducted exclusively on HB 1355 by NFIB’s Research Foundation to the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee at this afternoon’s hearing on the measure. “Common sense alone should warn what would happen if you shocked employers with a nearly 30-percent spike in the state’s minimum-wage rate,” said Connor, “but our study, which uses the most sophisticated economic modeling available, puts in graphic detail the economic peril contained in HB 1355.”

Michael Chow, senior data analyst for NFIB’s Research Foundation, used the Business Size Insight Module to produce the report on HB 1355. BSIM is a dynamic, multi-region model based on the Regional Economic Models, Inc. structural economic forecasting and policy analysis model, which integrates input-output, computable general equilibrium, econometric, and economic geography methodologies. The BSIM has the unique ability to forecast the economic impact of public policy and proposed legislation on different categories of U.S. businesses differentiated by employee-size-of-firm.

HB 1355 would raise the state’s hourly minimum-wage rate to $12 from its current $9.47, already the highest of any state in the nation (the District of Columbia’s rate is $9.50). The federal minimum-wage rate is $7.25. HB 1355 squeaked out of the House on a 51-to-46 vote on March 3. Today’s hearing in the Senate was its first in that chamber.

“It will forever bear repeating that the minimum-wage rate is an entry-level wage earn almost entirely by teens and young adults starting out on their working lives,” said Connor. “Raising it has mainly one effect, and that is to remove the first rung up the economic ladder for tens of thousands of young people. This state also has a disingenuous history with this issue, after voters were promised that a 1998 ballot initiative linking future increases in the minimum-wage rate to rises in the Consumer Price Index would forever solve the issue and remove it from politics.”

The entire 19-page BSIM analysis can be read here.

For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America's economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.

Navy Petty Officer Frederick Santos, from Auburn Helps Rescue Fishermen in Philippine Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bobby Northnagle

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea – Sailors stationed on board the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) rendered assistance to a fishing vessel suffering from mechanical difficulties March 25.

Five Filipino nationals had been fishing at sea when their boat’s motor stalled out, and the vessel was taken out by the current, leaving them adrift for three days with no food.

Blue Ridge watchstanders initially could only make out a small boat and a flag, but once the ship was within three nautical miles of the vessel, they noticed it didn’t appear to be moving and several men were inside.

“We thought it was strange to see something in the water, so we slowed down to get a better look,” said Ensign John Li, Blue Ridge officer of the deck during the response. “As we began looking for signs of distress, we noticed someone was waving a white T-shirt, while someone else was waving a flashlight.”

“I could see them jumping up and down trying to get our attention,” said Hospitalman Cassandra Spain, a bystander. “Their boat was being tossed around like a little toy due to the sea state.”

Responding to the men’s need of immediate assistance, Blue Ridge deployed a boarding team via rigid-hulled inflatable boat for a rescue and safely brought the five men on board the ship.

Once on board, Blue Ridge’s medical crew provided basic first aid, showers and a change of clothes. The men were found to be suffering from hypothermia and malnourishment among other ailments.

“These are situations Navy medical professionals are trained for,” said Blue Ridge Medical Officer Lt. Cmdr. Omar Saeed. “Luckily, we were there at the right place and the right time to save a life.”

------------------------

"Why Being There Matters"

On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world's oceans give the Navy the power to protect America's interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world's oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America's finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.

Still Hope For Medical Cannabis Patients In Washington State

Representatives in Olympia continue with politics as usually listening special interests and agencies that treat medical cannabis as if it has no medicinal properties. They are going against the voters by further restricting patients, and taking away their rights approved by them including proposing to drop patient limits once again, and breaking HIPPA laws by having a registy in the process with SB 5052.

The reason a person can not overdose on cannabis is because when there are high doses of THC in one's system, the brain produces pregnenolone that inhibits it.¹ The recreational user benefits from the use of cannabis because their depleted endocannabinoid system is being nourished with all the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.²

Recreational use is “for profit”while medical use is “not-for-profit”. The Liquor Control Board is not a health care agency, and regulates “for profit” products. The LCB paid for a study to figure out the supply and demand numbers for the recreational use market³. In a presentation last December, the LCB said that at their current proposed expanded canopy of 8.5 million they expect to capture 44% of the recreational market. With such little of the recreational market captured, the LCB is not ready to handle the 17 year old medical cannabis market in this state. Besides the fact that the LCB has court cases against them for ethics charges and the implementation of 502, there are 4,000 public released pages that show how they held private meetings to end medical cannabis.⁴

The hope for patients in this state is with Initiative Measure No. 1372. I-1372 being filed on January 6^th while SB 5052 was prefiled on the 11^th gives it precedent over any law they may pass and sign into law.

I-1372 would create the first cannabis for medical use board that would be made up of the state and the community that is totally transparent with a separate revenue from the state to remain revenue neutral. It also adds in other protections for patients that would not be done in the normal political process, like preventing the use of federal drug money against those compliant with the state law.

A grassroots movement is behind I-1372 that comes from a 2011 partially vetoed SB 5073, work done in the community, as well as input from patients. Described as a well balanced and fair piece of legislation, it is also what American for Safe Access call their “perfect legislative bill with its own board, own revenue and revenue neutral.” The 20 signature and 5 signature mail-in petitions are at the web site www.cppwa.org.

Everyone is encouraged to contact their Representatives to share their thoughts and feelings about the current bill from State Senator Ann River, SB 5052. If you have already shared with your Representatives, remind them of you position. Be respective to them and their legislative assistances, your message will be better received as well as more possible to get positive results. http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/.

Washington Police Department Among First to Adopt New Alternative Fueling Technology in U.S.

The City of Edmonds Police Department recently announced the adoption of new low-emissions propane fueling technology as a part of its continued commitment to alternative fuels.

For nearly two years, the department has operated 14 propane autogas patrol vehicles, which reduce fuel cost and emissions compared with gasoline vehicles. In an effort to further reduce emissions, Edmonds PD is one of two Northwest fleets to adopt the Stäubli fueling nozzle and dispenser. Blue Star Gas, the department’s fuel supplier and one of the region’s largest propane distributors, brought the low-emissions alternative-fueling system from Europe to the Northwest.

“With the Stäubli refueling technology, operators are no longer required to wear personal protective equipment during fueling, and the nozzle releases next to zero emissions,” said Darren Engle, Director of Government Relations for Blue Star Gas. “Overall, this technology simplifies the fueling routine and creates a system similar to that of traditional fuels. It’s an important step toward normalizing alternative fuels within our transportation culture.”

Manufactured in Europe, the Stäubli dispenser nozzle and connector was recently brought to the U.S. by Alliance AutoGas. Blue Star Gas, a member of the Alliance AutoGas network, is facilitating Stäubli adoptions in the Northwest as part of an initiative to drive nationwide implementation of the technology. According to Engle, the robust alternative fuels program at Edmonds PD made the department an ideal candidate for adoption of the fueling technology.

“We’re delighted to be part of this effort,” said Edmonds Police Chief Al Compaan. “The new technology will improve the overall quality of our alternative fuel program and will provide for a simplified, quicker and more environmentally friendly fueling procedure that my police officers will like.”

Blue Star Gas will oversee the installation of the nozzle and dispenser at Edmonds’ existing fueling locations and teach fleet personnel how to operate the new technology, while the City of Edmonds is tasked with replacing the filler receptacle on each vehicle. Edmonds police officers could be using the new system as soon as March 2015.

“On the surface, changing a fueling nozzle may seem like a small step, but this is a significant move for the propane autogas industry,” Engle said. “It adds one more competitive edge to the equation so, as a result, you can expect to see propane autogas at more service stations across the country.”

Seattle Native Jimmy Louangsyyotha Serves with Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-122

A 2010 Renton High School graduate and Seattle native is currently serving with the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 122, also known as the “Flying Eagles”, stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jimmy Louangsyyotha is an avionics technician with the squadron, which the Navy designates as VFA-122, and works with the Navy’s most lethal and versatile strike fighter aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

“I work on communication, radar, and weapons systems on fighter jets,” said Louangsyyotha.

The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as air-to-surface combat. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 lbs., and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.

Operating from the sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland, without the need to get another country’s permission to operate within its borders.

“I enjoy the camaraderie here at VFA-122,” said Louangsyyotha.

Louangsyyotha said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the squadron’s 1140-member team, helping to protect America on the world’s oceans.

“My job is vital because we are the ‘eyes’, ‘ears’, and ‘fingers’ of the jets,” said Louangsyyotha.

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied in VFA-122. Approximately 220 officers, 660 enlisted and 260 civilian men and women make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from maintaining aircraft airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft.

“The Sailors here are the epitome of a team,” said Cmdr. Ernie Spence, VFA-122’s commanding officer. “Everyone here is professional, skilled in their job, and they are great team players which enables us to accomplish our mission.”

The Flying Eagles are the Navy’s West Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. They train aircrew and maintainers to prepare them to go to the fleet and join the squadrons that fly the Super Hornet. VFA-122 trained aircrews have flown combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.

“The Navy gives me the opportunity to travel, work on jets, and build new friendships,” said Louangsyyotha.

Watch the City of Bellevue's 'Lake to Lake' Video for March 2015

If you haven't seen the great videos produced by the City of Bellevue, you are in for a treat!  Although this one is a little long (just shy of 30 minutes), it contains a lot of great information - and they promised they would be breaking their future videos into shorter, more digestible segments.  Hope you enjoy this video - and that you learn somethings about our great City!



Would love to hear your comments!

New program to help parents teach teenagers safe driving habits

The Department of Licensing has partnered with Safe Roads Alliance to launch a new program sponsored by State Farm^® that provides parents and guardians with a simple, easy-to-follow plan designed to help teens develop safe driving habits.

“Young drivers in Washington State, between the ages of 16 and 19 years old, are more than twice as likely to crash as drivers in other age groups due to inexperience,” said Pat Kohler, DOL Director. “Parents play a critical role in their children’s education and this guide encourages parents to expose teenagers to a variety of enhanced supervised driving experiences to help them become knowledgeable and safe drivers.”

The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program guide is packed with information and lessons on driving basics, parental pointers, and licensing qualifications that are helpful to parents of new drivers. The program is supplemented by the RoadReady^® mobile app, which can easily and accurately track the required supervised driving time of 50 hours, including 10 hours of night driving. Last year, 76,500 Washington teens sought instruction (learner’s) permits, and the Department wanted to provide parents with a resource geared toward skill development and expanding the conditions and time teens drive with their parents prior to driving independently.

The program focuses on the role of the parent in the teen driver education process and encourages parents and teens to drive together in a variety of weather conditions and unfamiliar settings, city and heavy traffic routes, and various times of day.  According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm study, Driving Through the Eyes of Teens, teen drivers whose parents are highly involved in the teen driver education process were half as likely to get in a car crash, 71 percent less likely to drive intoxicated, 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving, and twice as likely to wear seatbelts.

“Getting a driver’s license is such a special moment in a teen’s life, but it often causes increased anxiety for parents,” said Ed Gold, State Farm Marketing Director. “Research tells us the single most important thing parents can do to help their teens stay safe on the road is to allow as much supervised practice behind the wheel as possible. Driving with a parent builds a new driver’s confidence and we hope this new resource will help parents and teens make the most of this time together.”

The free program guide is available at driver licensing offices around the state. It is also available on the DOL website at: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/docs/parentguide.pdf  The RoadReady mobile app is available at the App Store.

Bellevue City Councilmember John Stokes Announces Re-Election Campaign

Bellevue City Council member John Stokes has announced he will run for re-election to the Bellevue City Council.   The former Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board Member, award-winning education advocate, and retired attorney kicks off his re-election with the support of Mayor Claudia Balducci, Council members Lynne Robinson and John Chelminiak and State Senator Cyrus Habib, plus many others in the community.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served this community for the last four years,” said Stokes.  “As your Council member, I will continue to work every day to ensure Bellevue remains the “City in a Park” as it continues its journey to be the urban and cultural center of the Eastside.”

Four years ago, Stokes ran on a platform to bring balanced, bipartisan leadership to the Council.  Since his election to the Council, Stokes has helped move Light Rail forward on time and within budget while incorporating the best elements for the route. He also helped the Council reach a fiscally responsible budget that invests in the city’s needs now and for the future. This meant supporting investments in infrastructure and public safety while encouraging sound, responsible development and embracing the diversity and strength of the City’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci said, “"John brings a great deal of positive energy and creativity to the council and has pushed is to think and dream big.  He has also been someone who works well across philosophical and political lines to get good things done."

As a strong education advocate and outdoorsman, Stokes has remained committed to Bellevue’s kids including supporting our great public schools and promoting resources including the new Boys and Girls Club and Kids Quest facilities, the Downtown Park and Meydenbauer Bay Park, plus the trails and neighborhood parks that keep Bellevue a great community.

“Since my family and I moved to Bellevue over 20 years ago,” said Stokes, “I have been committed to the people, places and community that make this city great.  With your support, I will work every day to keep Bellevue the best place to live.”

In addition to his work on the Council, Stokes has been serving Bellevue on the boards of Eastside Pathways (a co-founder), Bellevue Schools Foundation, Friends of the Cedar River Watershed, Bellevue and Washington State PTA, and numerous city and regional boards and commissions.  As a practicing attorney for many years, Stokes specialized in representing small businesses and ordinary people, after doing complex litigation and business representation early on in his career.  He lives with his wife Bettina in the Woodridge neighborhood.

For more information, visit www.JohnStokes.org.

AWB Statement on Benefits of Aerospace in Washington

The Association of Washington Business, Washington state’s largest business organization representing small, medium and large employers, issued the following statement from AWB President Kris Johnson regarding the Legislature’s attempt, through yesterday’s introduction of House Bill 2147, to erode the state’s competitiveness by reducing successful incentives for aerospace companies:

“Washington state is an aerospace hub for hundreds of employers who employ thousands people, who supply parts and innovate to make the sector successful and make Washington a great place to live.

“The fact is, aerospace incentives provide a significant return to Washington’s taxpayers. According to the state’s own estimate, the 2013 incentives will generate more than $21.3 billion in state and local tax revenue over 16 years —nearly three dollars in increased revenue for each dollar of incentives. This money will pay for vital public services including education, social services and infrastructure.

“Threatening to reduce the incentives is counterintuitive to the one sure-fire way to improve the state’s budget situation – get people back to work. These incentives not only encourage job growth in the aerospace industry, but they boost the whole economy.

“While it may be popular to focus on Boeing, hundreds of companies take advantage of the aerospace tax incentive, or other tax preferences, approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor. Reducing incentives sends the wrong message to current and potential employers about Washington’s business climate and severely harms the state’s competitiveness.

“AWB has a long history of advocating for job creation as a way to uplift communities and make the economy strong in every corner of the state. Unfortunately, this measure would do just the opposite. I urge the Legislature to put Washington’s competitive advantages above the fray. The many workers in all job sectors who depend on a strong aerospace industry need certainty that the jobs they have today will be heretomorrow.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,200 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci to Run Against Incumbent Jane Hague for King County Council

Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci, a Sound Transit Board member and former director of the King County Jails, has announced that she will run for the King County Council.  She will seek the District 6 seat currently held by 20-year incumbent Jane Hague. As reported on February 10, 2015 by Rob Butcher of Kirkland Views, Hague is planning to run for re-election which will make for an interesting race here on the Eastside.  The district includes the cities of Bellevue, Mercer Island, Redmond and Kirkland among others.  In the first few days of the campaign, Balducci reports $15,000 raised.

“We live in a dynamic, diverse, and growing region.  It’s time for new leaders who reflect the priorities and potential of the Eastside,” said Balducci. “In my experience as a local official, transit leader and mom, I’ll bring new ideas and energy to the Council, helping to make sure our voices and values are reflected in critical areas of policy and planning.”

A proven problem solver and consensus builder, Balducci has helped lead Bellevue through contentious land use and transportation planning efforts to ensure planned light rail construction and continued downtown development.  In her former role as Director of King County Jails, she helped to preserve public safety and streamlined spending to address revenue shortfalls after the recession, maintaining needed staffing levels while improving safety and conditions for the mentally ill.

Reflecting this track record of building strong, constructive partnerships, Balducci enters the race with endorsements from U.S. Representative Adam Smith, State Senator Cyrus Habib, State Representatives Tana Senn and Ross Hunter, along with Bellevue Councilmembers Lynne Robinson and John Stokes, and former Mayor Connie Marshall.

“Claudia Balducci has a proven record bringing people together to get things done for Eastside families,” said State Representative and former Mercer Island Councilmember Tana Senn.  “Her style of leadership will be an asset on the County Council.”

“From assuring light rail expansion to protecting great neighborhoods for our families, Claudia has the track record and vision we need,” said Representative Ross Hunter. “She has earned my vote and support in this important race.”

State Senator Cyrus Habib said, "I have immense respect for Mayor Balducci's track record of leadership on the Eastside. She has consistently worked to enhance public safety throughout our community, support a thriving business climate, and develop a transportation system that works for everyone."

Balducci lives in the Lake Hills neighborhood with her husband and 9 year-old son, a student at Puesta Del Sol Elementary School.  In addition to the Bellevue City Council and Sound Transit, she has served on the boards of the Puget Sound Regional Council, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Bellevue’s Wraparound Services Program, and Youth Link.

“I’m excited for this campaign and the tremendous support I have received so far,” said Balducci. “I look forward to meeting voters throughout the district over the next several months to help me be an effective County Council member for all Eastside families.”

For more information, please visit www.ClaudiaBalducci.com.

AWB: Time for Washington Law Makers to Act on Transportation

Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, appealed to lawmakers in the state Senate to lend their support to a transportation funding proposal announced today in Olympia.

“It is past time to make critical investments in our state’s roads, bridges and highways. Transportation infrastructure is critical not only to our quality of life, but also to our state’s business climate and economic future. Employees need to get to work safely and in a reasonable amount of time, manufacturers need to get materials to and from ports, and farmers must be able to get their goods to market.

“Today, a bipartisan group of Senate transportation leaders took an important step by releasing a statewide revenue package proposal. We encourage the full Senate to support the proposal and pass a package — with needed reforms — over to the House soon. With tremendous infrastructure needs, we are optimistic the Legislature will find a compromise and approve a package this session. Postponing the investment will hurt Washington’s competitiveness and drive up project costs later. We need to invest in transportation now.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.