Keeping an Eye on
SEATTLE
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director
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here is no doubt that Seattle, its voters, residents, city government and the businesses that call the Emerald City home, have dominated and shaped the region and the State for decades. All sectors of our community, private, public and nonprofit, can find inspiration, innovative and cutting-edge solutions to problems and challenges coming out of the unique culture and environment that is Seattle. But what “works” in Seattle cannot and does not automatically work around the rest of the State. It is pretty common to hear some Thurston County residents and policy makers advocating forcefully for Seattle solutions to our South Sound challenges. As the Thurston region continues to grapple with difficult problems, it is tempting to short cut the process and assume that politically popular ideas, initiatives and regulations founded in Seattle will work in Thurston County and the region’s cities. We have seen public policy proposals for raising revenue for social services, programs for addressing addiction, efforts to create more affordable
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housing and initiatives to provide more renter protections come out of Seattle. As rules, regulations and taxes trickle down from Seattle and are presented as viable for the South Sound region, the Thurston Chamber of Commerce and the Public Policy Division believe we must ask key questions of our policy makers and elected officials.
• Can we demonstrate that Seattle solutions can effectively and efficiently be “scaled down” to fit Thurston region and a different local economy and business ecosystem?
The Thurston Chamber recognizes that our region’s policy makers are facing numerous calls for action, and for our most urgent challenges there Questions such as: is pressure to “just do something”. But we need to recognize that the Thurston • What are the intended and region is unique and differs greatly unintended outcomes associated compared to Seattle. What works in one with the policy change? community does not necessarily work • Does the Thurston region have the in all communities. Good public policy infrastructure, experience and ability requires that we ask good questions. to successfully start and sustain a solution? If not, why? What is an Yes, Seattle can be a source of acceptable period to go from start incredible innovation and the source of to success? inspiration. But the Thurston Chamber • Are there valid, reliable and timely and Public Policy Division expects data specific to the Thurston region that our regional enthusiasm for to correctly identify the problem Seattle solutions be weighed against and evaluate the solution? What good public process and rigorous does success and failure look like? questioning and examination of the • Has the Seattle solution been data. We urge members of the Thurston audited, measured and confirmed to Chamber of Commerce to remain achieve the intended outcomes? Are engaged, alert and participate in our there any lessons to be learned from public policy efforts and to help us ask Seattle or other communities? some good questions.
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
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February 2020
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