Small-business owners from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington gathered to exchange information and prepare for the election ahead
NFIB members on the leadership councils, PAC committees, and activists from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington gathered in Walla Walla, August 24 and 25, to exchange ideas and hear the latest information on Congress and each state’s capital.
This was the first tri-state gathering of its kind, and judging from the result, it will not be the last one. Attending NFIB members heard from:
- Elizabeth Milito, senior executive counsel for the NFIB Legal Foundation, who apprised members of the lawsuits NFIB was involved in in the Pacific Northwest states.
- Jeff Brabant, NFIB’s senior manager of government relations, gave an update on the policy issues being considered by Congress and their impact on small business. His PowerPoint presentation can be seen here.
- Greg Biryla, NFIB’s regional state director for Oregon and Washington
- Matthew Woolley, regional political manager for NFIB, who discussed the area congressional races being targeted
- Suzanne Budge, NFIB Idaho state director; Patrick Connor, NFIB Washington state director; and Anthony Smith, NFIB Oregon state director joined for a panel discussion comparing their state’s initiatives on climate, health care, labor, regulations, and taxes.
Special Guests
Three elected officials contributed their words and insights to the event. Washington State Reps. Noel Frame and Amy Walen talked about their state’s efforts to refine its Business & Occupation (B&O) tax, and Oregon State Rep. Daniel Bonham was presented with an Outstanding Legislator Award for his pro-small-business work in the last session of the Oregon Legislature.
An evening reception for everyone was held on the 25th at NFIB-member business Big House Brew Pub.
- “It was refreshing to be able to gather together in person again for an event like this,” said Oregon State Director Anthony Smith. “NFIB has always been a member-driven organization. We can’t do our work without their support – and that includes the active engagement of our Leadership Council members and our network of small-business activists. Special thanks are in order to each attendee for taking the time to spend three days with us, ensuring our state programs are on the right track.”
- Added Washington State Director Patrick Connor, “Demonstrating once again that NFIB is a member–driven organization, feedback provided by our Leadership Council at this latest meeting is already being included in state-agency request legislation lawmakers will consider in January, as well as helping to shape additional changes to state regulations. When NFIB members speak up, policymakers in Washington state listen.”
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