Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Opposes Senate Bill 6035 Urges Members to Call Their Legislators on Retro Bill

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) board of directors voted at its March 24, 2009 board meeting to accept a recommendation from the Chamber’s public affairs committee to oppose Senate Bill 6035.

The board voted unanimously to oppose this bill because it unfairly targets one specific group’s political action while negatively impacting all Retro groups in the state of Washington. The “Retro” program is a workers’ compensation program which allows small businesses to pool their premiums so as to reduce costs.

This legislation would negatively impact businesses and business organizations throughout the state that have worked diligently and successfully to offer members benefits through state-approved Retro programs. In part, the bill would restrict the use of Retro funds by the organizations providing Retro programs. The Chamber’s Retro program, for example, is one of the most successful in the state with refunds directly proportionate to safety and claims management. The Chamber’s Retro program not only supports local businesses through refunds, but also enhances worker safety in both the industrial and retail/service sectors, resulting in safer workplaces, a strong business community and high-quality jobs.

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce does not have a Political Action Committee and does not contribute to or endorse any political campaigns. This bill unfairly targets all Retro groups across the state, without recognizing this important difference. How refund checks are spent is and should remain a voluntary, private contract between businesses and the organizations involved. It is the GVCC’s view that this type of legislation only clouds what should be a clear distinction between legislative action and private business.

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce urges its members to contact their elected officials and ask them to vote no on this bill. A full list of Southwest Washington legislators from the 15th, 17th, 18th and 49th Legislative Districts can be found at http://www.leg.wa.gov or on the GVCC’s Web site at www.vancouverusa.com under public affairs, then governmental links. For more information, please contact the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce’s public affairs committee at yourchamber@vancouverusa.com.