A tangible aspect of GSI’s advocacy – its Voice – is the annual priority agenda development for state and federal business and policy-related issues. The diverse perspectives of the members of our Public Policy Council allow us to source federal priority issues ranging from overtime pay to international trade and from supporting graduate medical education to career connected learning; GSI gathers region-wide priority issues to bring to our federal policy makers. Much like how the formation of the state agenda leads to GSI’s Olympia Fly-In, the federal agenda process kicks off our advocacy in our nation’s capital. Having an annual agenda – whether it is state or federal – allows our membership to become part of our Greater Voice in the community and around the region.
During the half-day discussion to decide on federal agenda items, GSI’s Public Policy Council heard from a panel of Spokane-based representatives from our region’s Congresswomen: John Culton with Sen. Patty Murray’s office, Alex Scott from Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office and Charlie Durañona from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ office. Our Spokane region has champions for a number of very serious issues facing our country and our state, including addressing the opioid crisis, mental health, energy and natural resources, trade, privacy, climate science, data security, health care, the military and so much more.
And finally, the Council heard from K&L Gates’ Tim Peckinpaugh, GSI’s Washington D.C.-based lobbyist. While Tim divulges the swirl we see on the news is accurate, there is a set of bipartisan policy issues that could very well gain traction this year: an infrastructure plan, lowering prescription drug prices and a tri-lateral trade agreement with Canada and Mexico (USMCA). And next up? The 2020 fiscal year budget is on the agenda within the first two weeks of March.
If you are interested in joining us for our 2019 Washington D.C. Fly-In, click here for more information and to register.
