A few weeks ago we broke down Governor Inslee's proposed tax on beer production. Washington's beer community has been waging an admirable grassroots campaign against the tax, which culminated last Friday in a protest on the front steps of the Capitol Building. Tacoma's Joe Korbuszewski helped organize the rally and chatted with us about the experience.

TOWN HALL TOURIST: How was the rally? How many people attended and did you feel it was effective?

JOE KORBUSZEWSKI: The rally went really well.  We had about 160 people show up consisting of brewers, brewery workers, bartenders, distributors, and beer lovers.  I feel really good about that number considering that we only had about a week to plan and it was pouring rain that morning.  

I'd say it was definitely effective.  As a citizen, you can send all the emails you want to your lawmakers, but you start to wonder if they actually read them after the third or fourth auto-response.  Bringing a group of people to their doorstep is a lot harder to ignore.  We were immediately greeted by news media and a dozen or so state lawmakers came outside to speak with us. 

THT: Were beer advocates able to meet with legislators? Were you or others able to meet with any of the Tacoma coalition?

KORBUSZEWSKI: Senate was in session while we were there but we were able to meet many different representatives from all over the state.  They came outside to meet us on the steps and spoke in support of the brewing industry. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet with any of my representatives.? It was all pretty surreal.  I've never planned or organized anything like this and suddenly, there I was shaking hands with our lawmakers on the steps of the Capitol. 

THT: Which people, businesses, companies are leading in the organizing of advocacy efforts?

KORBUSZEWSKI: The Washington State Brewers Guild is at the forefront of this movement and is supported by The Washington Restaurant Association, Hop Growers, The Washington Beer and Wine Distributors Association and many other groups. ... not to mention every brewery in the state. 

THT: What besides the rally have folks been doing to try to lobby legislators?

KORBUSZEWSKI: We've been urging everyone to contact their legislators as well as the Governor.  The Washington Beer Blog has done a great job getting information out to the public regarding the possible effects that this tax increase could have, as well as publishing statements from many of our states brewers.

THT: Do you know where the bills are currently and if it is expected that they will make it through the legislative process?

KORBUSZEWSKI: I understand that the bill is still in committee and our legislators are ironing out the final budget proposal.  From what I've been told, there is not a good chance for this tax to make it past the senate floor and I hope that holds true. 

The new State Farm offices in Tacoma bring new jobs, a broader tax base and more customers for other downtown businesses. That's all good.

But there's more.

First, this was a complicated deal, pulled off amidst regional competition. The City - staff and electeds - and the Economic Development Board did well, giving us confidence in their ability to keep or bring other employers.

Second, while all new jobs are welcome, not all are equal. When a policyholder in Boise pays for someone in Tacoma to handle a claim, that's "outside money;" it grows our local economy.

 The other kind of job - cashier at a retailer, for example - simply re-circulates "local money" and doesn't grow the economy.

Third, these are "clean" jobs. Remember: keyboards don't pollute. And State Farm has already shown sensitivity to downtown traffic; the concentration of jobs in two large spaces makes them prime for low-impact commuting.

Fourth, these will be family wage jobs with health care and other benefits, and most of the jobs will be accessible to a lot of people; they won't require a lot of higher education or special technical skills.

Fifth, these are private sector jobs and didn't require massive incentives. So they build, not weaken the tax base.

OK, the State Farm leases don't launch us into the economic stratosphere. Nobody wins a Nobel Prize for claims processing. But these are good, solid jobs with no obvious negatives. Good news any day.

Tacoma Deputy Mayor Marty Campbell has served on the Tacoma City Council since 2009. The founder of two of the iconic retail stores of Tacoma's recent past, Buzzard's and Stadium Video, Campbell has thoughtfully balanced the sensibilities of small business owner and lover of arts and culture. He recently announced that he would seek re-election to his District 4 council seat, which represents all of East Tacoma and sections of South Tacoma. His candidacy is currently unopposed and he is not expected to field a legitimate opponent. Campbell chatted recently with Town Hall Tourist about his time on the council, his district and more.

TOWN HALL TOURIST: What has been the most gratifying part of serving on the Tacoma City Council?

MARTY CAMPBELL: Being able to empower people to feel that they can have their voices heard by the City. Often times, people will have an issue - minor or major - in their neighborhood without knowing how to resolve it. Being on the City Council has enabled me to bring forward people's concerns in a way that helps the city function better, but which more importantly helps people feel that they have a stake in the City's decisions.

THT: What has been the most difficult?

CAMPBELL: The cuts that we have had to make to services. No one prefers to serve during shortfalls because you have to make tough decisions, but my entire tenure has been during the recession and its aftermath. Because of that, not only have I not been able to secure funding for some of the issues that I think are really important to my district, but most of my efforts have been spent trying to minimize the impact of painful budget cuts throughout Tacoma.

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Oh what a difference a week can make.

Last week city civics was all mud and details as pro-transit progressives formed debate teams and held a meet over light rail extension plans and the future of public transit.

While the light rail extension debate and review will (rightfully) continue, this week was defined by jubilance and stability.

Jubilance over reports State Farm has all but confirmed that they will be moving 2,000 jobs to Tacoma and occupying the vacant Russell Building (and a few floors of the Columbia Bank Center). While I could write five pages about why this is such monumental news I'll resist as the The Trib has done a great job breaking this story, reporting on details and offering commentary.

Stability as the town's political movers and shakers turned out in droves Wednesday evening to celebrate the kick-off of Mayor Marilyn Strickland's reelection campaign.

I've been to a lot of local campaign kick offs and this one struck me as noticeably different. Different because the event felt like less like a pep rally and more like a halftime check-in. Of course those who spoke before and after Mayor Strickland hyped and hollered, but when it was her turn to address her supporters she was calm, poised and focused while speaking about goals that have been met and work still to do.

That same calm, collected confidence and focus has served her well throughout the past four years - four years that haven't been without their fair share of municipal drama and polarizing debates - budget deficits, billboard decisions, the hiring of a new City Manager, etc.

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Greater Tacoma's brewery scene is alive and well with growing breweries looking to expand and countless homebrewers looking to advance their passion from hobby to small business. Last week Governor Jay Inslee proposed making a temporary tax on beer production permanent and also extending that tax to small breweries that are currently exempt. The proposed taxed is now making its way through the House and Senate. It's a puzzling proposal that, if passed, would deal an extremely harmful blow to one of Tacoma's exciting and budding industries.

To be certain, the state needs to raise new revenue to account for dire funding needs in areas like public education, social services and healthcare. That said, there are quite a few reasons to be skeptical of this tax.

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