AWB ANNUAL REPORT 11
DRIVING SOLUTIONS FORWARD
Advocacy is the bedrock of AWB ’ s service to members . In 2016 , the Government Affairs team once again navigated a state legislative session that failed to produce many of the tax proposals that would have harmed employers , particularly those in rural parts of the state that are still struggling to recover from the Great Recession nearly a decade after it began . At the same time , AWB supported continued investment in K-12 education — now totaling $ 4.5 billion since 2013 — as lawmakers grappled with the state Supreme Court ’ s McCleary decision .
PROSPERITY
As the state ’ s manufacturing association , we celebrated Washington manufacturers in unprecedented fashion by joining in the national Manufacturing Day . Manufacturers from across the state opened their doors to show off the diversity of Washington ’ s manufacturing economy . From Spokane to Bellingham , Seattle to Vancouver , Manufacturing Day 2016 was a time to demonstrate the strength and innovation of everything “ Made in Washington ” and sold around the world .