Got a head for business? Run for elective office

WHO in their right mind would ever want to run for public office with the state of the economy and the public scrutiny paid to a candidate? But I would challenge each of us to consider running, especially if you come from the private sector.

We live in a world economy where competition in the global marketplace is fierce. Washington state is uniquely positioned in the world market, given our geographic location. The success stories in our business community are many — from building world-class airplanes, inventing technology, making a great cup of coffee, creating fine wines or growing the freshest produce in the world. We have an amazing private work force that is the foundation of our state's success. In fact, our business community is the pulse of our state's health. Without it, we would not be the envy of the world and many of us would not call Washington state home.

We are fortunate to live in a democracy where people have the privilege of voting and selecting their leaders. While much attention is focused on the national political scene, many of us should considering sharing our experiences and knowledge from the private sector by running for public office.

This most recent legislative session perfectly illustrates the need for more business-friendly legislators in Olympia. Several shortsighted issues required huge amounts of attention to keep them from passing and devastating our economy further:

• Employee Free Choice Act (or Employer Gag Rule): The most harmful legislation to be introduced in the state Legislature this year would have silenced employers during union organizing and denied employees a secret ballot when the work force voted on forming a union. Every Seattle senator and representative co-sponsored these bills with the exception of Reps. Reuven Carlyle, Jamie Peterson, Eric Pettigrew and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp.

• Unemployment Insurance (UI): After several contentious votes, the Legislature finally passed a good version of the UI legislation. The same Seattle legislators just mentioned had the guts to fight this to keep unemployment benefits from increasing in a state where we already pay one of the highest unemployment-insurance tax rates in the country.

• At the beginning of the session, House Bill 1069, known as the light-pollution bill, was co-sponsored by five Seattle legislators. A host of people testified in opposition to the bill, which would have forced any business in Washington to replace their exterior lighting, costing Safeco Field, for example, $60 Million. Even county and city groups were opposed to the bill. The only person testifying in favor of the bill was an astronomy enthusiast from downtown Seattle.

The citizen legislators we elect arrive in Olympia with what we hope will be the skills to help them make good decisions for the health of our economy. Some do, but many are shortsighted and simply lack the private-sector experience to recognize what fuels a healthy business community. In fact, a survey by Enterprise Washington revealed that only 23 percent of legislators in our state even have a business background.

With our economic uncertainty, our state's growing deficit and large companies like Boeing pleading for a more business-friendly climate, we need leaders across our state that come from the private sector and can bring their experience to bear where it counts. Without an appreciation of the private sector and an understanding of how it works, we stand at the brink of economic disaster.

The 2009 election year provides many opportunities to serve in local office — from school board, to water, fire or hospital district, to city or county council. 2010 offers opportunities to serve in the state Legislature, where women and men, Democrat and Republican, can help shape public policy that betters our great state.

Take some time to consider sharing your business talents. We need you!