The Association of Washington Business holds weekly “Lobby Lunch” briefings on Thursdays during legislative sessions. They’re an excellent way to get insider perspective on what’s happening in Olympia. This year, AWB is providing video of the presentations. The group’s Monday newsletter, Fast Facts, gives a rundown on last week’s program.
David Postman, Gov. Jay Inslee’s chief of staff, and Matt Steuerwalt, the governor’s executive director of policy, spoke at the year’s first of six Lobby Lunch sessions last week.
Speaking to employers and lobbyists, Inslee’s advisors said this short legislative session will focus on balancing the supplemental budget – and not much else. That includes paying for the state’s worst-ever wildfire season last year, higher-than-expected caseload forecast and addressing mental health funding.
The guiding philosophy during this election year and short session, Postman said, is that “he who asks for the least wins.”
Sounds about right.
