2025 FEDERAL
SNAPSHOT
HEALTH CARE AND RESEARCH FUNDING
This breakdown is a snapshot of our comprehensive community legislative agenda, highlighting its most critical issues. We are proud to represent the interests of the greater Spokane area and its growing economic landscape, including our communities' diverse and significant needs.
Federal funding is critical to keeping America a driver of innovation. Health care and manufacturing are two pivotal examples of America's global leadership ability. The Spokane community sees compounding growth and significant returns on investment because of these funding tools for our innovators. A few select examples include the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center , Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster, and maintaining research investment at UW and WSU. Programs that will continue to support Spokane include:
• The CHIPS+ Science Act to support Tech Hubs
TRADE COMPETITIVENESS
• Reforming Graduate Medical Education to increase slots for communities like Spokane
◦ Spokane ranked 6th for shortage of primary health care workers in the US
• NIH funding for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs
Trade is an essential piece of our regional economy. Being able to purchase goods necessary for our businesses and citizens, or to sell our manufactured and agricultural products abroad, ensures long-lasting success for our businesses and citizens. Tari s only make those processes administratively di cult and financially costly for all. To support Spokane businesses:
• Renew Trade Promotion Authority laws
• Oppose and end domestically imposed tari s and other trade restrictions
◦ The Spokane area alone exports over $800 million to international markets
• Pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act to allow banking institutions to expand their services and increase investment access for legitimate emerging businesses
◦ More than 70% of voters support this legislation
ENERGY AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
• Preserve the Lower Snake River Dams
• Protect Access to Natural Gas
We must take an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy strategy. Clean, reliable, and a ordable power is critical to every corner of the country. Continued investment in renewable energy protects America's energy future and keeps us competitive. These investments must be paired with the protection of existing energy infrastructure to ensure a smooth energy transition. The most significant policies we support:
◦ 1/3 of Washington residents rely on natural gas to heat their homes
◦ Up to 2.25 million homes can be powered by the Lower Snake River dams
2025 FEDERAL
SNAPSHOT
DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE
◦ In 2023, Eastern Washington lost over 160 ,0 00 acres of land to wildfires
• Wildfire protection through responsible land management, proactive mitigation, and federal liability refo r m is critical to safeguarding communities and natural resources
• Ratify the Columbia River Treaty to enhance cross-border cooperation on water and energy management.
The success of material commerce is dependent on the ability to move goods and products, which relies on consistent infrastructure investment. Spokane has several key Congressional Directed Spending requests that directly improve our ability to grow and provide greater returns for the country from our strong and growing economy worth investment. Further support will be felt through:
◦ Implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
WORKFORCE & EDUCATION
• Strengthening freight mobility through highways, railways, airways, and waterways
• Streamline permitting processes for infrastructure & energy projects
• Broadband investment and improve broadband mapping
◦ Implement the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to align with Spokane International Airport's priorities
The fastest-growing challenges for businesses surround their workforce. An aging population is colliding with lower workforce participation rates, leading to a potential labor catastrophe. Major solutions must include improving access to career and technical education, apprenticeships, and public workforce programs. Assisting families with childcare needs is a necessary investment that allows parents to better contribute to the workforce. Support for the following would be significant for improved development of the workforce now and into the future:
• Reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• Expand the Child Care for Working Families Act for Spokane residents
ABOUT THE SPOKANE COMMUNITY
◦ Lack of a ordable care costs Washington state roughly $5 billion a year
• The second largest city in Washington State
• Home to Fairchild Air Force Base
• Area GDP is nearly $40 billion
• Protect funding for Title 1, IDEA Impact Aid, and other school nutrition and funding programs
◦ Spokane school districts average 52% of their population on free or reduced lunch
• Home to six colleges and satellite college campuses
• Greater Spokane Inc. is the Spokane region’s Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization, supporting businesses of all sizes across the Inland Northwest.