Create Something Greater 2018 Federal Legislative Priority Agenda
The Spokane region Our business community Greater Spokane Incorporated is the Spokane region s business development organization that leads transformative business and community initiatives to build a robust regional economy. We bring regional partners together to advocate for our community s priorities with a strong unified voice. Together, we have a greater voice for the future of our region. GSI s 2018 Federal Legislative Priority Agenda represents policies and funding to: Create a healthier climate for businesses to start, grow and compete Improve educational attainment from cradle to career Position Fairchild Air Force Base as the largest, most vital air refueling base in the western U.S. Enhance our region s largest economic driver health care and health sciences research Develop the infrastructure to fuel our economy
Business Climate Create a healthier climate for businesses to start, grow and compete As a border community, the greater Spokane region is especially sensitive to the cost of doing business. Attracting new employers and expanding our existing employment base remains the greatest challenge our region faces in growing our economy. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT To increase investment in distressed areas, support the newly created Opportunity Zone designation for local municipalities. Support the expansion of the Promise Zone program, giving additional communities the opportunity to secure designation. INTERNATIONAL TRADE Establish and preserve fair and free trade agreements, including a modernized and updated NAFTA which keeps the agreement intact, that give businesses ease of access to international markets. Oppose the imposition of wholesale and substantial tariffs that may raise costs to businesses and invite retaliation from our trading partners, especially affecting agribusiness. Support the nomination by the President and confirmation by Congress of the necessary board members for the Export-Import Bank to be fully functioning. AGRIBUSINESS Agriculture has long been a cornerstone and driver of the Spokane regional economy. Spokane County alone has over 2,500 farms with market value of crops reaching $150 million. Just south in Whitman County, the nation s number-one wheat producing county, crop values exceed $370 million from 1,200 farms. With crop production being one of the riskiest industries in our economy, support a Farm Bill that does no harm and maintains vital components such as crop insurance, Foreign Market Development and Foreign Market Access programs, and agricultural research by universities. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION Support efforts to ensure EPA s water quality standards for Washington State reflect the consensus views of the state regulator and are reasonable, measureable, affordable and attainable for Washington s businesses and communities. Support ongoing efforts by the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF) to identify and reduce Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Spokane River, including potential changes to the federal Toxics Substance Control Act (TSCA) that currently allows PCBs in manufacturing processes and imported products. HELPING BUSINESS DO BUSINESS Support right-sized regulatory relief for financial institutions, such as provisions of S. 2155 that passed the Senate in March, which enable them to safely and soundly deploy capital to the small, medium and large businesses that grow healthy economies. Fully fund Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), by removing the local cost-sharing burden, allowing for greater outreach to businesses pursuing government contracts.
Education Improve education attainment from cradle to career Home to six colleges and universities, including Community Colleges of Spokane, and two medical schools, the Spokane region is uniquely positioned to produce its own talent and workforce for the future. The availability of a qualified and skilled workforce is the top factor companies consider as they look to expand or relocate. Cultivating this talent depends on our ability to support investments across the education continuum with a focus on postsecondary access, career and technical education, career-connected learning, and STEM. Legislative initiatives for enhanced student/campus safety, including additional funding for the Safe Schools programs. Continued support of Federal Work-Study program funding, which until the FY-18 omnibus appropriations had seen a net decline in appropriations. Invest in postsecondary access for K-12 students. HIGHER EDUCATION Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act is of paramount importance to the Spokane region. GSI seeks to address issues of affordability, access, and student loan programs through specific provisions, including: Expansion of Pell Grants to the full academic year with mandatory funding mechanisms and further adjustments for inflation, and extend lifetime use beyond the current 12 semesters. Support increased access through financial aid options including reinstatement of Federal Perkins loan program and graduate student aid funding and financial aid packaging flexibility. Continue increased funding for the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), which through college matching funds, allows institutions to tailor financial aid to individual students. Support of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and additional funding for apprenticeship programs through the reauthorization of the Perkins Act and the passage of the EARNS Act. STEM initiatives providing access to degree completion, including additional funding for the TRIO and GEAR UP programs, which assist first-generation college students and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. K-12 Restore funding for vital public school programs in our region that were eliminated, including literacy programs, school improvement projects consisting of 21st Century grants and academic enrichment grants, and safe school programs. Restore deep cuts to federally mandated special education programs. EARLY LEARNING Support opportunities to expand access to quality child care and early learning through enactment of the Child Care for Working Families Act and investments in Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
Health Care & Research Enhance our region s largest economic driver in the FY-18 omnibus appropriations to build on the success of the 21st Century Cures Act, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and other legislation by funding opioid response grants and other programs. Additional steps should include: Improve access to treatment and recovery services, with particular emphasis on encouraging behavioral health alternative payment models that support multi-disciplinary care. Strengthen understanding of the opioid epidemic through better public health surveillance. GSI s VISION 2030 initiative, in partnership with the business, health care and education sectors, is working to address the shortage of physicians, dentists and other health sciences careers in the region, expand health and life sciences research, grow the health and life sciences industry, and improve access to health care for low-income and underserved areas. GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (GME) TRAINING Preserve the expanded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program and support continued increased GME funding and support for additional residency slots which provides for the critical need of well-educated and properly trained physicians in our region. Encourage the modernization of the metrics formula by which residency slots and monies are allocated nationwide. Support the expansion of residency opportunities and partnerships with the Spokane VA Medical Center. HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH Support continued robust funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote research and innovation for the health sciences. Support continued funding for the US Small Business Administration Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to accelerate capital formation for small and startup businesses and promote technology transfer to the private sector. Support continued increased funding for the Agency for Health Research and Quality that supports patient care, quality and safety. OPIOID CRISIS AND MENTAL HEALTH The costs of drug addiction and mental illness are borne by employers in lost productivity and health care costs; by federal, state and local governments in lost tax revenue and additional spending on health care, social services, education and criminal justice; and by individuals in lost wages and other challenges. To reverse these trends, Congress has already taken a big step Provide support for cutting-edge research and best practices for pain and addiction. Improve controls and enforcement on supply chains for prescription and non-prescription opioids. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Ensure that any changes to the Affordable Care Act improve affordable access to health care, especially for those at risk of losing coverage; prevent disruption and enhance the health care delivery system; and prevent cuts to Medicaid managed care rates. Preserve and advance gains in health insurance, with special emphasis on those who depend on Medicare and Medicaid, including Medicaid expansion. Support expansion of affordable commercial coverage. Support more affordable pharmaceuticals and protect safety net programs by preserving the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Transportation Develop the infrastructure to keep our economy moving FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION Ensure the FAA s Reauthorization legislation is inclusive of all aviation stakeholders and provides regulatory reforms, oppose the privatization of the air traffic control system, and provides full funding of grant programs authorized by Congress for infrastructure at the nation s airports. Support an increase to the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) to $8.50. Support Congressionally-directed requirement for FAA to fund and operate the Contract Tower at Felts Field. Support Congressionally-directed requirement for FAA to fund and operate the Contract Weather Observer program at Spokane International Airport (SIA). Protect SIA and Fairchild Air Force Base from reduction of operational hours by FAA at the Spokane Airport Traffic Control Tower/Terminal Radar Approach Control facility. Require TSA to fully fund and operate the Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement program at SIA. Require TSA to maintain responsibility for staffing and equipping security screening checkpoints and exit lanes at SIA. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT Encourage Congress to work together to develop a truly bi-partisan, longterm plan to deal with the nations aging infrastructure. The plan should address the following issues: Increase direct federal funding for public works and find innovative new ways to use federal funds to leverage additional state and local funding for infrastructure. These programs should not be limited to new money only, which would punish those areas that have already made a commitment to improving their infrastructure. Identify ways to address chronic funding shortfalls affecting the federal Highway Trust Fund that have put needed highway, bridge and transit improvements at risk too many times during the past decade. Congress must ensure the preservation of our existing infrastructure and protect the public investment. Make improvements to the federal permitting process that maintains strong environmental protections while significantly accelerating project reviews. Invest in workforce development efforts to ensure a highly skilled, safe workforce to deliver projects in a timely manner. FREIGHT MOBILITY AND SAFETY PROJECTS Continue with increased grant funding for the Preserve Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program that was recently awarded for the Barker Road/BNSF grade separation project, which will enhance freight mobility and improve safety, emergency access and traffic flow by replacing the at-grade railway crossing with an overpass. Explore solutions to relieve congestion, improve safety and ensure continued freight mobility on the I-90/US195 interchange and the 195 corridor. Provide funding for West Plains Rail Project to expand economic development opportunities at Spokane International Airport and address rail safety issues in the City of Cheney. SPOKANE TRANSIT AUTHORITY Sustain the capital investment grant funding for major transit projects and support the STA s Small Starts Grant application that will provide funding ($53.4 million) for construction of the Central City Line beginning in Federal Fiscal Year 2019.
Fairchild Air Force Base Position Fairchild Air Force Base as the largest, most vital air refueling base in the western U. S. Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) is Spokane s largest single-point employer, responsible for more than 5,900 direct jobs and immense economic impact more than $432M in FY2015. It is well positioned to be the largest, most vital air refueling base in the western United States because of its strategic location, infrastructure and capacity, strong community support, and years of mission experience. EMPLOYMENT Provide certification exemptions for professional and military spouses to allow for easier entrance to the workforce when moving nationally. HOUSING Support efforts to secure housing for new FAFB pilots, crew and their families who are assigned to FAFB due to new tanker assignments. TANKER ASSIGNMENT Prepare for the addition of KC-135 aircraft and the expansion of Fairchild s critical role in fueling the U.S. Air Force s global mobility and reach. MILCON Support modernization of facilities and equipment through projects eligible for Military Construction (MILCON) funding as submitted by FAFB and the Air Mobility Command (AMC), including replacement of a critical redundant water line from Spokane to the base. TRAINING Support FAFB s Community Partnership program by extending the term of the Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) from 10 to 20 years, creating a law enforcement partnership to develop an indoor shooting range where airmen can train and qualify. Support training facilities for what is soon to be the largest tanker base in the western US and the Air Education Training Command (AETC) facilities required for the water survival program at FAFB.
About Greater Spokane Incorporated s work in government and regulatory affairs Greater Spokane Incorporated works year-round with the business community to advance policies that enhance our region s business climate. Throughout the past decade, Greater Spokane Incorporated s advocacy efforts have produced more than $900 million in funding for projects that enhance the economic viability of the Inland Northwest. Federal Government Patty Murray US Senator (D) Maria Cantwell US Senator (D) Suzan DelBene 1st District Rick Larsen 2nd District Jaime Herrera Beutler 3rd District Representatives (R) Dan Newhouse 4th District Representatives (R) Cathy McMorris Rodgers 5th District Representatives (R) Derek Kilmer 6th District Pramila Jayapal 7th District David Reichert 8th District Representatives (R) Adam Smith 9th District Denny Heck 10th District 509.624.1393 GreaterSpokane.org 801 W Riverside Ave Suite 100 Spokane WA 99201