NMTA delivers safety message on King 5

Maybe you saw yesterday's morning news on Kong 6/16. If not, then you missed three spots where NMTA was featured. The message was simple that the more you know about boating, the more fun you will have. Here's one of the stories, esp as it relates to the Boated Education Card: http://tinyurl.com/3v8edfd. Take a look; pass it around on Facebook and get ready for a great time on the water.

July 1 is a big day

Hopefully boaters are aware of a couple of big events that will occur on July 1. First, the new crabbing season starts, which is a huge deal for recreational crabbers.

You can hear the excitement in Tony Floor's voice here. Tony's the director of fishing affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association and is encouraging everyone to "Know before you go."

Second, all recreational boats must have renewed registrations by July 1. More info can be found here: It’s time to renew: 2011 boat decals expire June 30 « Licensing Express

Seattle Times crabbing article

A terrific article on this year's crabbing season by Mark Yuasa appeared in yesterday's Seattle Times. The write-up, which includes commentary from NMTA's Director of Fishing Affairs Tony Floor, looks at the expanded crabbing season and the importance for sport crabbers to pay special attention to the regulations this year to ensure crab seasons are open in the years to come.

You can read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2011crab

Mandatory Paid-Sick Leave

There's a movement afoot in Seattle to require small businesses to provide paid sick leave for their employees. NMTA's Government Affairs Committee has not taken a position on the issue. If you would like to weigh in or want more info, please drop Peter Schrappen an email (peter at nmta.net)

Here's a link to the "pro" side: http://washingtonpolicywatch.org/2011/06/23/seattle-paid-sick-days-proposal-details-released/

And the "con" side: http://tinyurl.com/67aurxh

Time to register your boat

All boat registrations expire on June 30.

The good news is that renewing the registration on your boat is one of the easiest and most important actions you can take to help grow boating in Washington state. From a government affairs perspective, there's a direct relationship between the number of boat registrations and the success marine trades have in Olympia.

The bad news is that the number of boat registrations has dropped off in recent years.

To find out more on how to register your boat, take a look at the Dept of Licensing website: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/boats.html

Recovery continues to creep along

The state's budget reserves were essentially wiped out last week due to the release of the lastest economic forecast.

Tax revenues were down $738 million, which leaves the state with a cushion of only $163 million dollars. As happenstance has it, Governor Gregoire signed the $32 billion budget last week with the understanding that there would be a $738 million reserve/cushion. With these new numbers, the state has a "paltry" $163 million, which begs the question: What happened?

The state's top economist Arun Raha explained that the recovery is occuring slower than expected. "The U.S. economy has entered another soft-patch in a recovery that is proving to be far more bumpy and fragile than usual. While growth continues, it does so at a slower rate than before," he said. (Seattle Times story is here.)

This begs another question: What's next? The next revenue forecast is in September and if it is negative again there is a real possibility of the governor calling another special session in the fall. Stay tuned.

Marina Rents News

This is an issue reminiscent of the Energizer Bunny ads: It just keeps going and going and going. In the latest twist, Governor Gregoire vetoed a section yesterday about continuing to study the different options. Stay tuned as marina rents will continue to bump up periodically during the time before the legislative session begins in early 2012.

Here is a section from the governor’s veto message concerning section vetoes to the operating budget (HB 1087).

Section 308(10), pages 109-110, Department of Natural Resources, Marine Rents Committee
This proviso directs the Department to convene a marine rents review committee in order to explore ways to refine and improve the method for calculating rents for marinas occupying state-owned aquatic lands. A report and recommendations are due to the Legislature by December 1, 2011. Since no funding was provided to complete this report, I have vetoed Section 308(10). I am however, asking the Commissioner of Public Lands to review past studies on this subject, discuss the issue with all affected stakeholders and prepare legislation for next session.

How about going sailing this evening?

The Downtown Sailing Series begins this evening at 7:00 PM at Elliott Bay Marina. If you want to get on a boat, get there earlier and stay after the race for hot dogs and fellowship.
Not only that, NMTA staff will be demoing and giving away life-jackets as part of the Wear-it Washington! Campaign.

It should be a special evening as we get a head start on the official start of summer.

Lunch plans today?

If you are looking for a unique experience for lunch today, head over to Gas Works Park to engage the candidates running for Seattle City Council. The details are here and the main issue is to get a sense as to where they stand on updates to the Shoreline Management Act. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2015263889_upcoming_candidate_forums.html

As an aside at at Seattle City Council forum last night, candidates were asked to raise an Eggo waffle if they were neither a "yes" nor "no" on an issue. Here's that article: http://publicola.com/2011/06/15/i-dont-believe-i-said-that/

Coming to a windshield near you

One of the changes that came out of the legislative session was the adoption of the Discover Pass, which is the $30 annual pass needed to access boat launches at Washington State Parks system (among other water access points, natural areas, trailheads, etc)

The Discover Pass goes into effect on July 1, 2011 and frequently asked questions are addressed at their site (www.discoverpass.wa.gov).

NW Marina & Boatyard Conference Details

If you've attended this two-day event in the past, then you know it's one of the marquee events for NMTA members. This year will be no different as we've expanded the focus to include boatyards. If you are interested in attending or need more info, please contact Peter Schrappen at peter at nmta.net.

November 9-10

Maple Hall
104 COMMERCIAL
LA CONNER, WA 98257

We will have timely workshops, speakers and fellowship. We are pleased that Marine Floats will join us again as the Presenting Sponsor. More details forthcoming but please save the date and make plans to attend.

Clean Boating Foundation secures 501 C3 status

The Clean Boating Foundation, which NMTA's has helped launch, secured its 501 C3 status last week. As its first order of business, CBF will hire an executive director and program manager. Additionally as its top priority, this org will begin the process of certifying boatyards as "clean". More info on all of this excitement in the days to come.

The results are in...

Ballots for the NMTA Board of Trustees have been counted and Martha Comfort, Dan Wood and Mike Burns have been elected to three-year terms beginning July 1, 2011. Thanks to all who ran and the members who voted.

Welcome to the Water

View the latest promotional video from Grow Boating - Welcome to the Water.