Informal panel discussion to cover health care, tax policy
The Washington Policy Center is making a stop in Vancouver on Oct. 19 for one of seven statewide forums on issues of import to small businesses.
The forum runs from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Heathman Lodge, 7891 N.E. Greenwood Drive with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25 and includes lunch.
The Washington Policy Center and its research center, the Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, tour Washington every other year to both educate business owners about issues they face and hear their feedback. On the odd years, the policy center holds a large conference, but the forum series helps reach out to business owners who can’t make it to the conferences, said Carl Gipson, director of the Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
It has been several years since representatives have stopped in Vancouver for the forums, but Gipson said the center hopes to do so more in the future.
"It is a pretty large geographical and economic area with a lot of people and businesses," he said. "We’re trying to improve the small business of all areas. We can’t just focus on what happens in Seattle, Everett and Tacoma."
The Washington Policy Center is a Seattle-based nonpartisan, free-market, state-based think tank that publishes studies, sponsors events and conferences, and educates citizens on public policy issues facing Washington State. It is a member of the State Policy Network, a nationwide association of free-market think tanks, and works to promote free-market solutions through research and education.
The No. 1 goal of the forums is to improve the business climate in Washington and make it easier for small businesses to become profitable, Gipson said.
The forums and conferences are a tool the policy center uses to put out reports and studies that find their way to the media and legislators in Olympia.
"No legislature out there is against small business, but every now and then they need a resource for what small business leaders are saying," said Gipson, who was careful to point out that the policy center is not a lobbying organization.
During the question-and-answer portion of the forum, surveys will be distributed to gauge what issues are important.
Discussion topics will include access to affordable health care for small businesses, tax policy and 2007 Legislative session preview, including the three statewide ballot initiatives on the table.
"It’s a lot to jam into an hour and a half, but the information is really helpful on both ends," Gipson said.
Those interested may RSVP to the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at 360-694-2588. Preregistration ends at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.
Tentative schedule
Noon Welcome and introduction by Daniel Mead Smith, president of Washington Policy Center
12:15 p.m. Introduction to the Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
12:20 p.m. Panel discussing access to affordable health care for small businesses, tax policy and 2007 Legislative session preview
1:10 p.m. Overview of the three statewide ballot initiatives
1:20 p.m. Q&A
1:30 p.m. Adjourn
