President’s message

Tracy Doriot, BIAW Certified Builder, President

Every year before election season, you’ll hear us say “Elections matter.” This legislative session, more than ever, it was easy to see why. From a new cap-and-trade bill to a constitutionally questionable capital gains income tax exempt from voter referendum, Democratic majorities used the pandemic-induced virtual legislative session to pass sweeping changes, affecting businesses and families well into the future.

COVID cloak of darkness limits access

The COVID cloak of darkness protected legislators from some of the most powerful tools we have to influence their decisions. The Capitol Building lockdown meant no face-to-face meetings—and virtual meetings were hard to get as well, even during our virtual Hill Days. Then committees limited public testimony, often to only two minutes, with no way for the public to see if committee members were even paying attention.

Coming into the session with a promise to limit its scope, the governor ended the session praising the Democratic majority for “unprecedented and legacy making advances as all-encompassing as any session in the last 25 years.”

Home building heroes

While our government affairs team continues to assess the damage, there are a few bright lights from both parties I’d like to recognize— and I know there will be more.

Kudos to:

Sen. John Braun, Dist. 20, R-Centralia, who led the way with the support of both Republicans and Democrats on a failed effort to limit Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency powers and reopen Washington’s economy sooner.

Sen. Mark Mullet, Dist.5, D-Issaquah, who boldly broke ranks and voted against the capital gains income tax bill.

Rep. Andrew Barkis, Dist. 2, R-Olympia, Sen. Lynda Wilson, Dist. 17, R-Vancouver, and others for their work to promote pro-building legislation.

Rep. Amy Walen, Dist. 48, D-Kirkland, who voted against the expensive and unnecessary Low Carbon Fuel Standard (HB 1091), recognizing the damaging effects the bill will have on those least able to pay for it.

Thank you and continued help needed

While there are certainly other legislators to thank, these few rose to the top.

Special thanks to our BIAW members for 1,500+ sign-ins on 90+ bills and 750 emails to legislators in response to our calls to action.

Elections have consequences—and we’re seeing the results of one-party rule here. Now is the time to hold legislators accountable and to start working to recruit more pro-building, pro-business and pro-housing candidates at all levels of government.