The West Plains Chamber of Commerce’s May breakfast broke in the banquet hall at the new Airway Heights recreation center as local business leaders gathered to watch a legislative recap presentation by Association of Washington Businesses Vice President Gary Chandler.
Chandler noted that out of the $122 million allocated for the Spokane area from the state budget, about $80 million is specifically for the West Plains. He called West Plains officials “hard-working” and said the area is thriving.
“I think we had some of the best wins in education this year,” Chandler said, praising state legislation delineating alternative pathways to graduation which rely less on standardized test results. The legislation shows students that trade and vocational job options are important for their future success, he said.
The presentation then took a decidedly partisan turn — not entirely surprising considering Chandler is a former Republican state legislator who served in the House of Representatives for more than a decade.
Chandler called the state budget “unsustainable” and said he thought “the governor and the Legislature missed the mark this year.” Chandler also took aim at legislation banning certain chemicals from regular use in agriculture and a proposed rule governing law enforcement conduct.
During the question and answer portion of the presentation, a chamber member stood and demanded to know what Chandler’s party is doing about 4th District Rep. Matt Shea.
Shea is a Republican legislator who allegedly offered to carry out surveillance on Spokane residents and political enemies and has referenced white supremacist literature. In the most recent Legislative session, Shea introduced a bill to secede Eastern Washington from the state, which gained little traction.
Chandler said he is no longer involved in politics and concerns about Shea should be resolved within his own district.
Representatives Mike Volz and Jenny Graham also spoke to the crowd briefly, with Graham noting that “the mental health field…by and large was the major theme of this session.”
The Chamber’s next breakfast is set to feature a transportation forum on June 19 at the Shriner’s Event Center.
Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].
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