Education & Research

originally published April 11, 2017— “Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” ― Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Washington State can feel like this sometimes. Though it seems abundant, water isn’t necessarily always available for use ― even for those who…

originally published March 27, 2017— By: Jim McKinney, Executive Director, Common Threads Northwest The WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL moratoriums on Cherry Point industrial growth and drilling previously exempt home-use wells have a dramatic impact on our economy and tax base.  They cost businesses and individual property owners hundreds of millions of dollars.  Because of the Council…

originally published March 2017— A significant portion of income for Whatcom County public school districts comes from: Maintenance and operations (M&O) levies, which help fund the ongoing costs of running the school, and Bonds, which typically are used to fund larger school renovations, new construction, and other capital projects. In the Ferndale School District, for…

originally published March 2017 in Business Pulse magazine– Erin Shannon | Center for Small Business & Labor, WPC Imposing a paid family and medical leave law has emerged as the business issue du jour this legislative session in the Washington state capitol. While Washington state already has a paid family leave law, it never has…

originally published March 2017— Perry Eskridge | Executive Officer and Government Affairs Director Whatcom County Association of REALTORS® “Whiskey’s for drinkin’, water’s for fightin’.” – Mark Twain The Washington Supreme Court upended established water law several months ago with the October 6, 2016 decision in Hirst vs. Whatcom County.  Prior to the decision, water appropriation…

originally published March 2017— First turnover of County Council under new system holds profound implications with 4 seats open By Business Pulse magazine staff One of the most important elements of any democracy is how representatives are elected. It is no less important here in Whatcom County. In 2015 County voters approved significant changes to…