Senator meets Chamber members

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Washington state senator Janea Holmquist Newbry of Moses Lake welcomed Odessa and Lincoln County into the 13th legislative district, then gave a presentation on current legislative issues. As chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee in the state senate, she said she was well aware of the challenges facing small businesses in the state and, particularly, in eastern Washington. She pledged to work for her constituents by endeavoring to ease tax burdens, eliminate waste and fraud and make the state’s business climate more welcoming.

She said that Washington is one of only four states in the country where the Department of Labor and Industries has a monopoly on providing workers’ compensation insurance. This has resulted in a system, she said, of perpetually increasing insurance rates and substantial payouts that provide few incentives for returning to work.

The next legislative session is to begin in January, although there has been talk of a special session in November. Transportation issues will be the focus whenever the legislature reconvenes. Holmquist Newbry asked Chamber members for their views on transportation needs and opened up the floor for discussion of any issues members wanted to pursue.

Chamber business

Lindsy Starkel reported that she will be meeting with a committee of Town Council members to discuss rental rates for the commercial kitchen that will cover the associated expenses of overhead, maintenance and upgrades to the facility.

A suggestion to combine the Chamber banquet with the Lions Club’s crab feed in order to draw more people and give the Chamber more visibility met with opposition from the members present. Even though Lions Club members had approved, Chamber members felt that a prior suggestion for a New Year’s party for the community was more needed and more appropriate. Michelle Melgren agreed to chair a committee to plan the event, along with Jennifer Martin and Lise Ott.

Treasurer Larissa Zeiler reported that only a few bills remain outstanding, so a full financial report on Fest should be ready by the next meeting.