WSH&LA Political Action Committee

Dear Friend of WSH&LA,

Now that the 2008 Legislative Session has adjourned and the 2008 election season is gearing up, the members of the Board of Directors of the Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association are throwing down the gauntlet to our lodging industry colleagues: Please join us in contributing to the Washington State Hotel & Lodging Political Action Committee and help make our presence known in Olympia.

We’re keenly aware of the compelling need for our industry to have greater clout in Olympia. Becoming a more serious player in state governmental circles is crucial to attaining our long-term political and economic goals.

Many of the members of the Board have already (and again!) stepped to the plate with both a business and personal contribution to the PAC. But we don’t want to be there facing that 99-mile per hour fastball alone. This time, we’re asking every member of the Association do the same.

Are we overstating the need? Hardly. Here are some of the crucial issues we advocated for in Olympia just this session:

• Addressing Liquor Control Board interpretations, rules and laws to best implement the new Hotel Liquor License
• Protecting lodging tax revenues for investment in marketing and promotions
• Tracking efforts to implement Family Leave Insurance
• Combating “living wage” initiatives
• Opposing passage of a “Worker Privacy Act”
• Monitoring legislation relating to company vehicles, commute time and work time
• Tracking “universal health care” bills

Will our contribution make a difference? Yes it will! The suddenly increased size of WSH&LA’s political war chest will certainly catch the attention of state legislators and other Olympia officials, making them more inclined to listen to, consider and support the lodging industry’s positions, knowing they can count on us for help with their elections.

Please join us. Contribute $2 per room as many on the Board are (with a minimum contribution of $100). If your company policy prevents political contributions on its behalf, consider making your own personal contribution instead. Many Directors are making a personal donation in addition to our company’s contribution – and we ask you to do the same. And, if your business is an Allied Member of the Association, consider making a $200 PAC contribution.

Simply put, it’s time to stop hoping for success or waiting for the next guy to do it. Let’s step up in unison and become friends in deed, setting a shining example for the rest of the WSH&LA membership and making a statement to legislators: In Washington State, the lodging industry really means business.

Click here for your contribution form. Please complete it and send it back to WSH&LA today!

With appreciation for your partnership and financial support,

The Board of Directors of the Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association

P.S. Other PACs already make significant campaign contributions, so WSH&LA faces an uphill battle to get legislators’ time and attention. If legislators and their key staff members aren’t hearing our message, they’re hearing a message from someone else whose issues and interests are unlikely to coincide with ours. Please make your contribution to the WSH&LA PAC today!

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