Acting as a strong advocate for our business community is a core function of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce. Our Government Affairs Division leads all of the Chambers' business adovacy efforts at the local, county, regional, state and federal levels. The Chamber multiplies the voice of its 600 members even further by joining with other business advocacy organizations to propose, advocate on behalf of and support government policies and procedures that enhance our businesses' ability to succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Todd Morrow
Community Transit
Chair - Government Affairs Division

Joint Government Affairs Committee

A key partnership in our advocacy efforts is that with the Joint Government Affairs Committee of the Snohomish County Chambers (JGAC). Comprised of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the JGAC is the forum where the majority of public policy issues are addressed. While the Committee's primary focus is developing the annual legislative agenda and advocating on behalf of our members in the state legislature, the JGAC also weighs in on local, regional and state ballot measures, referrenda and initiatives and school bonds and levies. The JGAC organizes three advocacy events each year: the Legislative Reception, Chamber Day and the Legislative Recognition Breakfast.

Development of the next year's legislative agenda usually begins in the summer and continues through the fall. Subcommittees of the JGAC develop each individual area of agenda which are then compiled to create the agenda. After an extensive revision process, the agenda must be approved by the Committee before being sent to each Chamber's Board of Directors for final approval.

Once the agenda has been approved by each Chamber, the JGAC presents the agenda to our 21 Snohomish County legislators at our annual Legislative Recpetion event. Held in the last quarter of the year, the Legislative Reception offers our members access to our legislators just before they leave to Olympia for the session. The event is free of charge and members are always encouraged to attend.

Chamber Day is a key component to our in-session advocacy efforts. Each year, the JGAC charters a bus to bring participating members down to Olympia for the day. From 9 am to 5pm, members meet with local legislators, observe committee hearings, attended breakout sessions organized by partnering organizations and network with Chamber members from throughout Washington State.

Throughout the session, the JGAC tracks the activity of key bills in Olympia in order to alert our membership when their voice is needed. At the session's conclusion, the JGAC develops a scorecard for our Snohomish County legislators based upon their votes on these key bills. Those that vote in favor of the JGAC position a high percentage of the time, our "Business Champions", are recognized as such at our annual Legislative Recognition Breakfast.

If you are interested in learning more about the Chamber's Government Affairs Division and the Joint Government Affairs Committee (JGAC), please contact Patrick Pierce, Government Affairs Manager, (425) 257-3222 x211.