Business Anticipating Friendly Legislatures

Washington business and property owners expect to reap the rewards of a newly installed Republicancontrolled state Legislature, which convenes today.

The GOP promises to roll back property taxes, dismantle the Democrat’s health care reform and cut off welfare recipients after two years on the dole.

The Idaho Legislature also convenes, with newly elected Republican Gov. Phil Batt residing over state government. Republicans last week tossed out top bureaucrats in the Department of Education and are likely to make education a top priority for reform.

In other events this week:

Today

Vice President Al Gore outlines Clinton administration goals for improving high technology.

The Water Resources Forum conducts a public workshop at 7 p.m. at Spokane Falls Community College, Building 17, on proposals to change management of state waterways and ground water. Call 206-407-6646.

Federal Reserve reports on consumer credit for November.

Tuesday

First day that Japanese consumers can buy Washington apples, ending a 23-year ban.

Bob Barr, vice president of marketing for Old Spaghetti Factory International, speaks at the 11:45 a.m. annual meeting of the Spokane Restaurant & Hospitality Association at the Ramada Inn. Call 467-7744.

Idaho Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce present seminar on doing business in China at 8 a.m. at Red Lion Riverside in Boise. Call 208-334-2227.

U.S. Department of Labor reports on December producer prices.

Wednesday

Shaun O’L Higgins, director of marketing and sales for The Spokesman-Review and president and of New Media Ventures, will speak at the annual Local & Regional Economic Facts & Forecast of the Spokane Advertising Federation. The meeting begins at 11:45 a.m. at the Ag Trade Center. Call Judy Morris, 456-8770.

Five Cabinet members attend President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development in Chattanooga, Tenn., discussing policies that would encourage economic growth, jobs and environmental protection.

Thursday

Small Business Council presents panel on hiring new employees at 7 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, W1020 Riverside.

Dr. Christine Sine, former chief medical officer of the ship Anastasis, speaks on global health issues at 10 a.m. at the Whitworth College Lindaman Center. Call 466-3291.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates discusses plans for online service at Online Advantage conference in Seattle.

Start of a two-day White House Conference on Trade and Investment in Central and Eastern Europe.

Friday

Dennis Okamoto, regional vice president of US West Communications, speaks on the information superhighway at the Good Morning Spokane Area breakfast. Cost is $7 per person for the 7:30 a.m. event held at the Red Lion Inn in the Valley. Call 624-1393. xxxx
On the shelf Business Week, Jan. 9: Autos, steel, chemicals and computers should be top performers in the 1995 economy, according to Business Week’s annual outlook. Where the jobs are The unemployment rates in December for 11 major industrial states as reported by the Labor Department: California, 7.4 percent, down from 7.7 percent in November. Florida, 6.3 percent, down from 6.8 percent. Illinois, 4.2 percent, down from 5.0 percent. Massachusetts, 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent. Michigan, 4.5 percent, down from 4.6 percent. New Jersey, 6.1 percent, down from 6.6 percent. New York, 5.4 percent, down from 6.3 percent. North Carolina, 3.3 percent, down from 4.1 percent.