One of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s core functions is to be a strong advocate for our business community. All of the Chamber’s business advocacy efforts at the local, county, regional, state, and federal levels are led by our Governmental Affairs (GA) Committee. The Chamber amplifies the voices of its 450 members by collaborating with other business advocacy organizations to propose, advocate for, and support government policies and procedures that benefit the business community and allow it to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
Legislative Agenda
To ensure Anacortes remains the most livable, vibrant waterfront community, government officials must understand the value added by a healthy business community, as well as what the Anacortes business community requires to succeed. The following are the key government affairs platform positions that the chamber advocates for on behalf of our members:
2024 Legislative Priorities
- Local Anacortes Small Business Community – Foster a fair and economically vibrant business environment for the small business community in Anacortes including a sensible tax and regulatory structure at the local, state and federal level.
- Major Employment Clusters in Anacortes – Foster a fair and economically vibrant business environment for the major industries and employment clusters in Anacortes, such as Healthcare, Marine Trades, Construction and building trades, Refining and other Advanced Manufacturing, and Tourism.
- Workforce Housing – Encourage partnerships at the local and state level to incentivize growth and development of workforce housing in Anacortes.
- Childcare – Encourage partnerships at the local and state level to create increased capacity and affordability of new childcare and early education facilities in Anacortes.
- Business Community Input on Government Regulations – Foster strategic partnerships, two-way engagement and clear communication between government and the business community to ensure business stakeholders are included in the decision-making process on new polices that will directly affect their business.
- Ferry Services – A fully functioning ferry service is vital to the economic vitality of Anacortes, and we support sustaining historic levels of service to and from the Anacortes terminal.
- Long-Term Care (LTC) – Support revision of the current LTC insurance mandate.
- Affordable Fuel – Support cap & invest fuel trade to modify the climate commitment act.
Candidate Forums
Held twice annually for the primary and general election, the Anacortes Candidate Forums provide an opportunity to hear firsthand from candidates running for local and state offices. Our Government Affairs Committee works diligently to create questions that are of importance to the minds of citizens as well as collect questions directly from the community.
Watch past forums:
2023 General
2022 General
2021 General
2021 Primary
2019 Primary
2018 Primary
2017 Primary
Government Officials
City of Anacortes
Skagit County Commissioners
Washington State Legislature
Legislative Links
- Washington State Public Disclosure Commission –The PDC provides timely and meaningful public access to information about the political campaigns, lobbyist expenditures, and the financial affairs of public officials and candidates – View Site
- Washington State Legislature – Access to House of Representatives and Senate personnel pages, legislative information, and bill tracking – View Site
Federal Regulatory Agencies
- U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services – Federal immigration regulations, forms, review filing fees, instructions for employee hiring/verification and reporting requirements – View Site
- Federal Register – The official daily publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential documents – View Site
- Thomas-Legislative Information on the Internet – A complete online searchable database of almost all activities of the US Congress. A directive of the 104th Congress to “make Federal legislative information freely available to the Internet public.” – View Site
- Commerce Dept – Int’l Trade Administration – A comprehensive resource for information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs – View Site
- Occupational Safety & Healthy Administration – Information and resources to aid compliance with federal health and safety regulations – View Site
- Environmental Protection Agency – Federal regulations affecting environmental and natural resources, waste disposal, air, and water quality, obtain regulatory updates, find regional staff and offices, local assistance programs, get news, etc – View Site
- Department of Labor – Comply with federal labor regulations, forms, access to an online library, and more – View Site
Tax Information
- Washington State Employment Security Department – Unemployment insurance forms and information – View Site
- Internal Revenue Service – Forms, information, and tax advice – View Site
- Washington State Dept of Revenue – Forms, information, and tax advice – View Site
- Washington State Dept of Labor & Industry – Forms, information, and advice on industrial insurance and WISHA – View Site
Transportation Organization & Links
- Washington State Dept of Transportation – Operations, principals of management, audits, and other information on the workings of WSDOT – View Site
- WA Senate Transportation Committee – WA state senate proceedings – View Site
- WA House Transportation Committee – WA state house transportation proceedings – View Site
- Skagit Transit – Skagit transit information, routes, policy issues – View Site
State & Local Government Research
- Washington Research Council – Provides independent information on state and local government in WA state – View Site
- Washington Policy Center – A non-partisan, free-market, state-based think tank in Seattle that publishes studies, sponsors events and conferences and educates citizens on public policy issues facing WA state – View Site
- Washington Roundtable – The WA Roundtable is composed of 40 CEOs and citizen members. It was formed in 1983 to study and make recommendations on critical public policy issues affecting the state – View Site
Competitiveness Issues
- Association of Washington Business – Statewide business organization, representing member businesses. A great site for legislative issues, voting records, and the current take on the state’s business climate – View Site