News Releases 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008

MEDIA CONTACTS
Dan Fazio, Employer Services Director, (360) 528.2917
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915

MEDIA ADVISORY: Washington Farm Bureau to Announce Ground-Breaking Essential Worker Pilot Program at National Onion Association Convention

PASCO, Wash. – Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural association, will debut a ground-breaking program designed to help farmers and ranchers obtain a legal and stable workforce.

WFB Director of Employer Services Dan Fazio will unveil the program at the summer meeting of the National Onion Association at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco, at 2:15 pm on Thursday, July 24. Media availability will begin immediately following Fazio’s presentation, at approximately 3 p.m. in the foyer outside the meeting room.

Washington Farm Bureau president Steve Appel summarized the organization’s immigration reform effort stating, “It’s obvious that we have a problem, our grassroots policy process has identified a solution, and it’s time to make it happen.”

Appel attended the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Council of Presidents meeting in Washington D.C. where on July 16 he heard presumptive presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) stress the crucial need for a legal agricultural workforce.

“We have been working on this issue for over a decade, and we can’t wait any longer,” said Appel.

“Taking care of the workers that bring us a safe, affordable, and bountiful harvest is priority one,” said Fazio. “But we also need to develop a program that works for the local, state, and federal government.”

As the Director of Employer Services at the Washington Farm Bureau, Fazio’s principal duty is to help members understand and comply with labor and employment laws and regulations. Fazio is an expert in labor and employment issues, including: workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, workplace safety, wage and hour laws, immigration, and seasonal worker housing. He advocates for farmers and ranchers in these areas and all other areas that impact the agricultural workforce.

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Washington Farm Bureau is a 35,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers across the state.

Washington Farm Bureau
975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301, Lacey, WA 98516
Toll Free: (800) 331.3276 Direct: (360) 356.9975
www.wsfb.com
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2008 

MEDIA CONTACTS 
Patrick Connor, National Affairs Director & PAC Liaison, (360) 528.2910
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915

FARM BUREAU PAC ISSUES PRIMARY ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS FOR RACES AFFECTING PIERCE COUNTY

LACEY, WA – The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, has announced additional candidate endorsements, for races affecting Pierce County residents.

“Thoroughly researching the viewpoints and positions of candidates residing within Pierce County has been a long process, but it’s what makes our grassroots system so reliable,” said King/Pierce County Farm Bureau Candidate Evaluation Committee Chairman Bob Meeks. “We are confident that our grassroots process has identified candidates who understand and will work to improve the agricultural economy in Pierce County.”

Candidates are recommended for endorsement based on their voting records (if already in office) and understanding and support of Farm Bureau policy. To see the complete legislative vote record for 2008 and past years, visit www.wsfb.com/issues/voterecord.

Whether an incumbent or challenger, each candidate undergoes a review process by their local Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committees before moving onto the state PAC for endorsement. Farm Bureau PAC completed its early endorsement of primary election candidates in May. To view Washington Farm Bureau’s early endorsement list, go to http://www.wsfb.com/news/Farm-Bureau-PAC-Early-Endorsements.

The list below rounds out the endorsements made by the Farm Bureau PAC for those races affecting Pierce County residents during the primary election. Candidates for federal offices are expected to be reviewed and endorsed prior to the general election.

STATEWIDE
Dino Rossi (R), Governor
Commissioner Doug Sutherland (R), Commissioner of Public Lands
Attorney General Rob McKenna (R), Attorney General

STATE SENATE
Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen (D), 2nd Legislative District
Michelle Smith (R), 25th Legislative District, candidate
Sen. Mike Carrell (R), 28th Legislative District

STATE HOUSE
Rep. Jim McCune (R), 2nd Legislative District, Position 1
Rob Cerqui (D), 25th Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Rep. Dawn Morrell (D), 25th Legislative District, Position 2
Jan Angel (R), 26th Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Rep. Troy Kelley (D), 28th Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Tami Green (D), 28th Legislative District, Position 2
Rep. Dan Roach (R), 31st Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Christopher Hurst (D), 31st Legislative District, Position 2

JUDICIAL
Tim Ford, Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 2, candidate

LOCAL
Councilman Shawn Bunney (R), Pierce County Executive, candidate
Beverly Davidson (NP), Pierce County Assessor, candidate
Rep. Joyce McDonald (R), Pierce County Council, District 2, candidate
Councilman Roger Bush (R), Pierce County Council, District 3

Farm Bureau PAC is the political action committee of Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agriculture trade association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 35,000 member families.

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Washington Farm Bureau
975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301, Lacey, WA 98516
Toll Free: (800) 331.3276 Direct: (360) 356.9975
www.wsfb.com 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 9, 2008

MEDIA CONTACTS
Patrick Connor, National Affairs Director & PAC Liaison, (360) 528.2910
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915

FARM BUREAU PAC ISSUES PRIMARY ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS
Local legislators also chosen for endorsement

LACEY, WA – The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, has announced additional candidate endorsements in time for the upcoming primary election.

“In order for agriculture to be successful in Washington, it needs a favorable business climate,” said Farm Bureau PAC Chairman Bob Stuhlmiller. “Farm Bureau PAC is confident that these candidates understand and are willing to address the varied needs and concerns of our state’s farmers and ranchers, to improve our state’s business climate,” said Stuhlmiller.

Candidates are recommended for endorsement based on their voting records (if already in office) and understanding and support of Farm Bureau policy. To see the complete legislative vote record for 2008 and past years, visit www.wsfb.com/issues/voterecord.

Whether an incumbent or challenger, each candidate undergoes a review process by their local Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committees before moving onto the state PAC for endorsement. Farm Bureau PAC completed its early endorsement of primary election candidates in May. To view Washington Farm Bureau’s early endorsement list, go to http://www.wsfb.com/news/Farm-Bureau-PAC-Early-Endorsements.

The list below rounds out the endorsements made by the Farm Bureau PAC for the primary election. Candidates for federal offices are expected to be reviewed and endorsed prior to the general election.

STATEWIDE
Commissioner Doug Sutherland (R), Commissioner of Public Lands

STATE SENATE
Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen (D), 2nd Legislative District
Sen. Bob McCaslin (R), 4th Legislative District
Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R), 5th Legislative District
Michelle Smith (R), 25th Legislative District, candidate
Sen. Mike Carrell (R), 28th Legislative District
Fred Jarrett (D), 41st Legislative District, candidate

STATE HOUSE
Rep. Al O’Brien (D), 1st Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Mark Ericks (D), 1st Legislative District, Position 2
Rep. Larry Crouse (R), 4th Legislative District, Position 1
Matt Shea (R), 4th Legislative District, Position 2, candidate
Rep. Jay Rodne (R), 5th Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Glenn Anderson (R), 5th Legislative District, Position 2
Kevin Parker (R), 6th Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Rep. John Ahern (R), 6th Legislative District, Position 2
Scott Hess (R), 14th Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Rep. Charles Ross (R), 14th Legislative District, Position 2
Rep. Bruce Chandler (R), 15th Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R), 15th Legislative District, Position 2
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D), 24th Legislative District, Position 1
Rob Cerqui (D), 25th Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Rep. Dawn Morrell (D), 25th Legislative District, Position 2
Rep. Troy Kelley (D), 28th Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Tami Green (D), 28th Legislative District, Position 2
Rep. Dan Roach (R), 31st Legislative District, Position 1
Rep. Christopher Hurst (D), 31st Legislative District, Position 2
Todd Gibson (R), 33rd Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Stephen Litzow (R), 41st Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Toby Nixon (R), 45th Legislative District, Position 1, candidate
Rep. Larry Springer (D), 45th Legislative District, Position 2

JUDICIAL
George Appel, Snohomish County Superior Court, Position 6 (NP)
Linda Tompkins, Spokane County Superior Court, Position 10 (NP)

LOCAL
Terry Roth (R), Clallam County Commissioner, District 2
Commissioner Mike Wilson (D), Grays Harbor County Commissioner, District 2
Dennis Schultz (R), Jefferson County Commissioner, District 1, candidate Richard Hild (R), Jefferson County Commissioner, District 2, candidate Dennis Bly (R), Lincoln County Commissioner, District 1, candidate Commissioner Bud Cuffel (D), Pacific County Commissioner, District 2 Councilman Calvin Goings (D), Pierce County Executive, candidate
Beverly Davidson (NP), Pierce County Assessor, candidate
Rep. Joyce McDonald (R), Pierce County Council, District 2, candidate Councilman Roger Bush (R), Pierce County Council, District 3
Commissioner Todd Mielke (R), Spokane County Commissioner, District 1
Wes McCart (R), Stevens County Commissioner, District 1, candidate

Farm Bureau PAC is the political action committee of Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agriculture trade association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 35,000 member families.

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 Washington Farm Bureau
975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301, Lacey, WA 98516
Toll Free: (800) 331.3276 Direct: (360) 356.9975
www.wsfb.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 18, 2008

MEDIA CONTACTS
Dianna Biringer, Biringer Farm (425) 258.2305
Mollie Hammar, WSFB PR Director, (360) 528.2915

ROSSI TO SPEAK AT LOCAL FARM EVENT
All are Invited to Attend

EVERETT, Wash. – One of the largest local, family-owned farms in the area – Biringer Farm – is hosting a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly event featuring gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi to raise funds for a local firefighter in need.

All proceeds from the Slurp ‘n Burp strawberry eating contest will help support local Everett firefighter, Steve Goforth, 37, who is waiting for a heart transplant.

On Saturday, June 21 at 4 p.m., Steve and his family will judge the final eat heats. On hand to assist in the process will be gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi; 33rd District Representative Mike Sells of Everett; former Snohomish City Councilman and current 44th District Representative candidate, Larry Countryman; Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart; firefighters and fire chiefs, The Seattle Seafair Pirates and representatives from The Village Restaurant, Sound Harley-Davidson, and of course, Biringer Farm.

This unique contest is just one aspect of the Berry Fest Pig Out on the Farm. Now celebrating its 19th year, this annual event features a wide-variety of attractions that make it family-friendly and memorable for kids of all ages, year after year.

Activities include hog calling; the goat climb challenge; pony rides; petting zoo; face painting; fishing; puppet shows; giant strawberry and trolley rides; horse swings; outdoor barbecue, mini tractor rides and much more. 

Activities begin at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday June 21-22 at the Biringer Farm. For more information or detailed directions, visit: www.biringerfarm.com.

Biringer Farm is a member of the Snohomish County Farm Bureau and the Washington Farm Bureau. Washington Farm Bureau is a 35,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers throughout the state.

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 Washington Farm Bureau
975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301, Lacey, WA 98516
Toll Free: (800) 331.3276 Direct: (360) 356.9975
www.wsfb.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2008

MEDIA CONTACTS
Patrick Connor, National Affairs Director & PAC Liaison, (360) 528.2910
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915

FARM BUREAU PAC ENDORSES ROSSI FOR GOVERNOR
Local Legislators also chosen for early endorsement

LACEY, WA – The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, has overwhelmingly endorsed Dino Rossi for Governor.

“Our grassroots leaders are united in the belief that a Rossi administration will finally bring about the kinds of changes we need in Olympia – from solutions to the coming budget crisis, to fixing our transportation problems, to changing the culture of state government, and protecting our homes and families.  Dino Rossi’s leadership is needed now,” said Farm Bureau PAC Chairman Bob Stuhlmiller.

In an impressive show of grassroots support, Rossi garnered endorsement recommendations from 22 county Farm Bureaus across the state. No other gubernatorial candidate received any endorsement recommendations.

“Dino Rossi understands that in order for agriculture to be successful in Washington, it needs a business climate that is favorable and a regulatory climate that is not suffocating for farmers and ranchers,” said Stuhlmiller. “Farm Bureau is confident that Dino Rossi’s leadership will spur tangible, positive changes for all industries in Washington – and that’s something we all can benefit from.”

Farm Bureau PAC also endorsed Attorney General Rob McKenna for re-election, as well as several area candidates for legislative and local offices:

STATE SENATE
Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-9th Dist.)
Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-12th Dist.)
Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-16th Dist.)
Sen. Don Benton (R-17th Dist.)
Sen. Joseph Zarelli (R-18th Dist.)
Sen. Brian Hatfield (D-19th Dist.)
Sen. Dan Swecker (R-20th Dist.)
Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-24th Dist.)
Connie Lord, state Senate candidate (R-23rd Dist.)
Sen. Val Stevens (R-39th Dist.)

STATE HOUSE
Rep. Jim McCune (R-2nd Dist.)
Rep. Joel Kretz (R-7th Dist.)
Rep. Steve Hailey (R-9th Dist.)
Rep. Joe Schmick (R-9th Dist.)
Rep. Barbara Bailey (R-10th Dist.)
Rep. Cary Condotta (R-12th Dist.)
Rep. Mike Armstrong (R-12th Dist.)
Rep. Maureen Walsh (R-16th Dist.)
Rep. Bill Grant (D-16th Dist.)
Rep. Deb Wallace (D-17th Dist.)
Rep. Jaime Herrera (R-18th Dist.)
Rep. Ed Orcutt (R-18th Dist.)
Rep. Dean Takko (D-19th Dist.)
Rep. Brian Blake (D-19th Dist.)
Rep. Richard DeBolt (R-20th Dist.)
Rep. Gary Alexander (R-20th Dist.)
Rep. Lynn Kessler (D-24th Dist.)
Jan Angel, state House candidate (R-26th Dist.)
Rep. Dan Kristiansen (R-39th Dist.)
Rep. Kirk Pearson (R-39th Dist.)

JUDICIAL
Bruce Danielson, Kitsap County Superior Court, Pos. 1, candidate
John Lohrmann, Walla Walla Superior Court, Pos. 1, candidate
Tim Ford, Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 2, candidate

LOCAL
Mike Blankenship (R), Ferry County Commissioner, Dist. 3, candidate
Terry Willis (D), Grays Harbor County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate
Commissioner Ron Averill (R) for re-election as Lewis County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate
Bruce Schulte (R), Lewis County Commissioner, Dist. 2, candidate
Larry Campbell (R), Okanogan County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate
Don “Bud” Hover (R), Okanogan County Commissioner, Dist. 2, candidate Jon Kaino (D), Pacific County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate
Ron Wesen (R), Skagit County Commissioner, Dist. 1, candidate
Don Gordon (R), Skagit County Commissioner, Dist. 2, candidate 

Farm Bureau PAC is the political action committee of Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agriculture trade association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 35,000 member families.

Candidates are recommended for endorsement based on their voting records (if already in office) and their understanding and support of Farm Bureau policy. To see the complete legislative vote record for 2008 and past years, visit www.wsfb.com/issues/voterecord.

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Washington Farm Bureau
975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301, Lacey, WA 98516 
Toll Free: (800) 331.3276 Direct: (360) 356.9975
www.wsfb.com  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2008

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915
Dan Fazio, Employer Services Director, (360) 528.2917

Washington Farm Bureau Urges Speaker Chopp to Stop Workers' Compensation Fund Diversions

In a letter to House Speaker Frank Chopp, Washington Farm Bureau has detailed $13.39 million in new misappropriations of workers' compensation (comp) trust funds in the 2007 - 2009 budget cycle and proposed a three-part plan to end the diversions.

On March 6, in an effort to halt yet another attempt to divert $1 million from state Industrial Insurance funds, Rep. Cary Condotta (R-East Wenatchee) made a rarely-used motion to move House Bill 3387 - Preventing Workers' Comp Fund Diversions - directly to the floor for a vote. The motion failed on a party-line vote, with Democrats claiming it was merely a "procedural" vote and the underlying bill did not need to be brought to the floor.

Farm Bureau's letter to Speaker Chopp outlines the organization's dismay at this party-line vote and calls for an immediate stop to this ongoing misuse of funds. "By law, workers' comp premiums are supposed to be used to pay benefits for injured workers," said Dan Fazio, Washington Farm Bureau's Director of Employer Services. "This ongoing misuse of funds sets a dangerous precedent and increases the likelihood that workers' comp and unemployment insurance funds will be raided next year, and the year after that, with no end in sight."

HB 3387 would require that industrial insurance funds be spent for purposes solely related to the payment of benefits to injured workers or the administration of the workers' compensation system. The bill would allow impacted ratepayers, both employers and employees, to file suit to stop the illegal diversion, and provide a steep penalty, if a court found that the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is improperly using the funds.

Washington Farm Bureau believes funds held in the workers' comp accounts are trust funds - a specific legal term meaning that they are held for a specific purpose. The organization adds that the Governor and the director of L&I have a fiduciary responsibility to protect these trust funds for the beneficiaries of the trust - injured workers. Not only are they not protecting the interests of these injured workers, but the Governor is actually accelerating the diversions.

Recent examples of fund diversions include funding to begin building the Paid Leave program, more farm labor contractor inspectors, apprenticeship programs, and this year, a new employment program for victims of domestic violence. Last year, L&I raised workers' comp rates by $58 million. If there were no diversions, a rate hike probably would not have been necessary.

Of course, lawmakers don't want to end the diversions - they are already unable to fund all the promises that they have made to various special interest groups, and the more they can take from the workers' comp funds, the more they can spend on other programs. Farm Bureau anticipates huge budget deficits next year and more pressure to divert money from both the workers' comp trust fund and the unemployment insurance trust fund.

And so, Farm Bureau is asking legislators to implement this three-step plan: Stop the Bleeding. Lawmakers should immediately cease further misappropriations. Determine the Scope of the Problem. Farm Bureau believes that diversions exceed $50 million per year, while others think it is a lesser number - $10 million or so. A judge or arbitrator needs to be brought in to rule on the size of the problem. Commit to a time table to end the diversions. Depending on the size of the problem, it could take up to four years for lawmakers to wean themselves off these funds.

To view Washington Farm Bureau's letter to Speaker Chopp and data related to the ongoing diversion of funds, go to www.wsfb.com/employers/employerservices/08-labor-issues.

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Washington Farm Bureau is a 35,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers across the state. For more information about the Washington Farm Bureau go to www.wsfb.com or call 1.800.331.3276.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2008

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915
Dan Fazio, Employer Services Director, (360) 951.8641

Washington Farm Bureau Urges Legislature to Stop Diversions of Workers' Comp Funds

LACEY - Each year nearly $60 million of workers' comp trust fund assets goes to places other than the industrial insurance division at the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Although the workers' comp trust fund was established to assist injured workers, that technicality hasn't deterred creative legislators from repeatedly diverting the funds. Employers and workers contribute equal premiums into two of the three funds that make up the workers' compensation system - the Medical Aid Fund and the Supplemental Pension Fund. However, the third program, the Accident Fund, is bankrolled solely by employer-paid premiums.

"Guess which fund gets used the most for diversions?" quipped Dan Fazio, Farm Bureau's Director of Employer Services. "Nearly 90 percent of the money used to create these new programs is taken from the workers' comp accident fund, meaning small to mid-size employers are left footing the majority of the bill."

It is difficult to determine how much each potential injury will cost, and impossible to project how many people might become injured in any given year. Thus, by design, there is an excess in the workers' comp accident fund, meant to ensure that money is readily available to injured workers who need it. In recent years Legislators have discovered this ‘pot of gold' and have been raiding it to fund new, unrelated programs.

Using workers' comp funds to finance unrelated programs should be considered illegal. And, in circles outside of the legislative arena, it is. Yet, year after year the Legislature continues to raid the fund for unrelated programs without consequence.

"Given next year's pending budget deficit, the time to put a stop to these unscrupulous raids is now, before the Legislature starts to view these funds as their problem-solving piggy bank," Fazio warned.

In an attempt to stop this ongoing abuse, House Bill 3387 (HB 3387) will be brought to the House floor for a vote Thurs., March 6. This bill would stop the misappropriation of workers' comp trust funds. Sponsored by Rep. Cary Condotta (R-East Wenatchee), HB 3387 would require that workers' comp trust funds be spent for purposes related to the payment of benefits to injured workers or the administration of the workers' compensation system. The bill would allow impacted ratepayers to file suit to stop the illegal diversion, and provide a steep penalty, if a court found that L&I is improperly using the funds.

Last year the Legislature used workers' comp trust fund money to bankroll the hiring of additional farm labor contractor inspectors. The Legislature has also used money from the fund to finance the hiring of minimum wage inspectors and create new apprenticeship programs. This year the Legislature is considering raiding the fund to finance inspectors for a new domestic violence bill. None of these programs or ideas relate to helping injured workers get better.

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Washington Farm Bureau is a 35,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers across the state. For more information about the Washington Farm Bureau go to www.wsfb.com or call 1.800.331.3276.