ABC members and staff descended on Olympia for the Washington Construction Industry Council’s “Day in Olympia” on Thursday, February 18th.
ABC members and staff from both the Western Washington and Inland Pacific Chapters attended this event. Attendees met inside the Columbia Room in the Legislative Building and heard a presentation from Dick Thompson, who is in charge of the federal stimulus funds set aside for Washington State.
Next, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown spoke to the audience about Washington’s current economic situation, the construction industry in our state, and fielded several questions.
A working lunch was served next. Both Senators and Representatives attended this lunch. Members from ABC and other associations had the opportunity to speak to their district’s legislators in person.
After lunch, ABC members split up for a variety of activities. Some took a tour of Washington’s historic legislative building. Others witnessed House and Senate committees in action. However, the majority of members visited the Olympia offices of the legislators that were not available to attend the lunch. ABC members visited legislators from the 5th, 44th and 48th districts, among others. The top legislative issues for ABC were discussed in these meetings, along with matters pertaining to local business and government.
By 2:30, ABC members and staff were back on the road. ABC would like to thank the Washington Construction Industry Council (WCIC), for handling the arrangements. The WCIC prides itself as being “The Voice of the Construction Industry.”
If you would like to get more involved in the legislative process, you can sign up for ABC’s Legislative Action Team. The LAT receives regular updates on legislation, invitations to fundraisers and other legislative events, and can participate in bi-monthly conference calls with ABC lobbyists. If you are interested in becoming part of the LAT, contact Director of Government Affairs
Aran Buchan at (800) 640-7789.