by Dave Kaplan

We're just about to embark on WSIA’s 37th Annual Conference.  This is the 15th Annual Conference that I will have attended as an employee of WSIA, and a watershed one at that.

For over 15 years we had fought off a bill requiring self-insured employers (and the State Fund, though they were already illegally doing so) to pay benefits when an employer appeals a Department order to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals.  Unfortunately, this year we lost, and the bill has been signed into law, and Department orders issued on or after June 12, 2008 will require you or your clients to pay these benefits.

This is but one example of many many pieces of legislation introduced each year in the Legislature.  While we have an excellent lobbyist in Kathleen Collins and Vice-President for Legislation in Donna Egeland (and I lobby as well), the fact is that unless there are thoughtful, open-minded or business-friendly legislators, more of this onerous legislation will continue to become law.

How can we change this?  Contribute to the WSIA Legislative Fund.  Our Political Action Committee (PAC) needs to raise $50,000 each election cycle if elected officials are to be an effective player in Olympia.  While we put on a fundraiser in conjunction with the Annual Conference each year, the net proceeds are only a few thousand dollars out of the tens of thousands of dollars needed to meet our goal.  We need more of a commitment from everyone, member and non-member alike, if we are to hold sway in Washington politics.

Our fundraising goal is a realistic one.  If every member organization contributed just $150, we would easily raise the $50,000.  Even those public entities like cities, counties, PUD’s, etc. can help out.  How?  They can’t directly contribute, but their employees can.  If even ONE employee from each public entity personally committed to contributing $50, that puts us all the closer to our goal.  If three employees contributed the $50, for a total of $150, their organization would be helping toward the goal indirectly!

We are very appreciative of the contributions of time, money, and effort given for all of WSIA’s activities, and that will never be forgotten.  But without this extra effort, this extra commitment, our ability to obtain positive changes in state law (or to stop the negative ones) is hampered.

Please, won’t you commit your organization to $150?

Please contact me at dave.kaplan@wsiassn.org if you want more information, or you can mail your checks, made out to "WSIA Legislative Fund" directly to WSIA Legislative Fund, 1401 Fourth Avenue East, Suite 200, Olympia, WA  98506.

We’re grateful for your consideration, and your participation.

Posted 18 April 2008

Back to News