Seattle Times: WA passes natural gas initiative
Washington voters approved Initiative 2066, a measure that explicitly protects access to natural gas in Washington, and also weakens building codes that make it more difficult and costly to add...
Everett minimum wage update
Unfortunately, the minimum wage initiative in Everett supported by the Hospitality Association, 24-02, did not pass. It’s losing 41% yes and 59% no. The other minimum wage initiative, which does not...
FSTEC Insider 2024: How restaurants are challenging gender bias in tech
Off the top of your head, what are the AI chatbot and digital personal assistant names you can think of? Alexa, Siri, Cortana — those are the ones many of us are most familiar with. And it’s not an...
Meet your Tacoma Police Department community liaison officer
Public Safety is a top issue for many Tacoma operators. Your local government affairs team has been meeting with city staff, council members, partner stakeholders and the Tacoma Police Department to...
The first and lasting impression: How parking impacts guest experience and revenue
Have you ever decided to go somewhere else because there was no parking at the original place? Parking is more than just providing an available space for a guest’s car. It presents an opportunity...
Hoss & Patel to be honored at this year’s Washington Hospitality Conference
If you plan to attend this year’s Washington Hospitality Conference, congratulate Lane Hoss and Vijay Patel. The two will be honored with this year’s Burtenshaw Lifetime Achievement Awards. Lane...
Olympia defers raising minimum wage and other labor standards consideration to next year
At its study session meeting last week, the Olympia City Council deferred consideration of raising the minimum wage in the city and possible adoption of other labor standards, known as the “Workers’...
Premiums set to rise: ESD announced increased premiums for Paid Family & Medical Leave
Washington state’s Employment Security Department (ESD) announced the new premium increases for next year. As of Jan. 1, 2025, the premium rate will be 0.92%, up from 0.74% in 2024. Employers will...
Spokesman-Review Op-Ed: Protect natural gas as an energy choice
The Horseshoe Cafe: America’s oldest 24-hour diner resides in Bellingham, WA
In the heart of downtown Bellingham stands not only Washington’s oldest diner, but America’s oldest 24-hour diner: The Horseshoe Café. The charming restaurant is a current member of the Washington...
PSBJ: Trade group sounds alarm as WA restaurants see margins sliced thin
