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Tell Your Legislators to Vote “NO” on Unemployment Bill—Sets Up 27 Percent Rate Increase |
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Written On: Monday, February 20, 2006 |
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Tell Your Legislators to Vote “NO” on Unemployment Bill—Sets Up 27 Percent Rate Increase
Although touted as such on the Senate floor, ESSB 6885 is not a “compromise” bill. Go to www.awb.org TODAY, and tell your legislators to vote no on ESSB 6885! As written, ESSB 6885 makes portions of last session’s expensive HB 2255 permanent, undoing significant parts of the 2003 reforms even though HB 2255 does not sunset until 2007. It raises benefits and spends down the trust fund too fast, jeopardizing overall solvency and creating the need for a 27% tax increase if we are faced with another recession. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.
Senate Introduces and Passes Supplemental Budget After New Forecast Released
On Wednesday, state economist Chang Mook Sohn provided the latest revenue predictions to the Economic Forecast Council. While sharing the good news of the increase to Washington revenues, Sohn warned that the economy was slowing for future budgets. Later that day, Senate Democrats released their version of the supplemental budget at a press conference followed by a public hearing. The supplemental budget, SB 6386, follows the lead of Gov. Gregoire in setting aside over $900 million in various accounts to protect against future liability. The set-asides are targeted at pension contributions, health savings accounts, school construction and debt service and leaves a $256 million unrestricted ending fund balance. The set-aside funds would go into new accounts proposed in SSB 6896 that result in amending Initiative 601 spending limits. Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Seattle, spoke in favor of the budget saying that it was "good for public needs and morally responsible”. Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, countered that "the budget does good things, but is not sustainable". The supplemental budget passed the Senate 32-12 and was immediately transmitted to the House of Representatives. The House will have its own version of a budget available on Tuesday. With only seventeen days left of session, the budget is on a fast track. Contact AWB's Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.
Bill to Amend Initiative 601 Spending Limits Awaiting a Ruling from Senate President
A number of bills are considered necessary to implement the budget. SSB 6896, providing for state funding stabilization, was being voted on before the Senate Friday when Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, raised a point of order with the Senate President. The bill creates a number of new accounts to receive appropriations from the budget for current obligations, in creating the new accounts the initiative 601 spending limits are amended. The point of order is to clarify whether the title of the bill improperly reflects the content of the bill based on Senate rules. The bill has been deferred further action based on the point of order. Further amendments to the bill have not been voted pending the outcome of the point of order, those amendments include other changes to Initiative 601 and also an amendment to require the passage of SJR 8222 a constitutional rainy day fund. AWB supports SJR 8222 and is concerned about the efforts by the Legislature to further undermine Initiative 601. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislators that we need a constitutional rainy day fund to protect the Legislature from the Legislature when it comes to saving for future emergencies. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.
Gregoire Signs Columbia River Management Bill – Big Victory for AWB
After years of hard work and stakeholder wrangling, Gov. Gregoire has signed into law a bill to manage water resources on Columbia River that is acceptable to both business and the environmental community. The law will make more water available in the future for out-of-stream uses, while also providing for in-stream flows, by increasing storage in new reservoirs. In addition, the state may also sign regional agreements with communities or other groups seeking new water rights in the near-term in exchange for mitigation efforts. AWB has worked hard for this agreement for many years. This law is a big victory for the business community and takes a major step toward resolving the myriad water rights issues in the Columbia Basin. AWB will continue to work for additional meaningful water rights reform, including addressing the issue of conservation and relinquishment. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org,
“Pay or Play” Dead for 2006, But Gregoire Promises to Revive it in 2007
Thanks to Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, neither of whom would allow it to go to the floor for a vote, “Pay or Play” legislation is dead for 2006. Unions and their allies, however, are continuing to push the idea that employers should be forced to pay for employee health care or pay a steep tax to the state. This year’s bill applied to large employers, but future “pay or play” legislation could apply to smaller employers as well. Gov. Christine Gregoire, in addressing the Washington State Labor Council last week, pledged to work for a “perfected” pay or play bill next year. “If we didn’t get it this year, we’re going to get it next year. Let’s work together to make it happen,” Gregoire commented on “pay or play” to the union audience. Stay tuned... Contact Mellani McAleenan at (360)-943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.
Senate Budget Amended to Address Auditor Findings on Government Money Paying for Sex Changes
Last week, State Auditor Brian Sonntag released a report stating that government money was inappropriately spent on, among other things, sex changes. When the budget was debated last week, Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, introduced an amendment to clarify that Medicaid money received by the state couldn’t be spent on gender reassignment surgery or treatment. Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, spoke against the amendment, but it was accepted by Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and passed by a voice vote. Other amendments were offered but were rejected including an amendment from Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, to clarify that the family leave legislation that passed the Senate could not use workers’ compensation funds to pay for implementation. Sen. Mark Doumit, D-Cathlamet, spoke against the amendment and it failed. Sen. Honeyford also offered an amendment to reassign money for a minor league ball park to the Dept. of Health to fund breast and cervical cancer screening for low-income women. While there was interest in this amendment from Senate Democrats, the amendment also failed.
Public Retirement Program: Brain-Drain vs. Retire-Rehire
The Research Council has released a new policy brief titled "Public Retirement Program: Brain-Drain vs Retire-Rehire." This brief focuses on the impact of post-retirement employment (commonly referred to as the "retire-rehire" program) on Washington's pension system. Read the full brief at this link
Learn the Legal Aspects of Interviewing, Hiring, Managing and Discharging Employees
AWB will hold an Employment Law Seminar at SeaTac’s Hilton Hotel, Wednesday, Mar. 22. This seminar will help employers manage the employment relationship from beginning to end. To register, go to: www.awb.org/events/seminars/employmentaw.asp. Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander on Next Washington Business Weekly
Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, of the Washington State Supreme Court, will be featured on the next Washington Business Weekly, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday, on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM and at www.awb.org. In addition, we’ll talk with Sen. Linda Parlette, R-Wenatchee. If you have any suggestions for future guests or topics, please let us know. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.
Best Practices for the Human Resources File Cabinet Seminar – Feb. 28, Red Lion Hotel, SeaTac
Learn how to avoid fines, penalties, and litigation through adopting "best practices" and maintaining proper employment records. For more information, see www.awb.org/events/seminars/hrfilecabinet.asp. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.
"There Are No Quick Fixes to Our Energy Problems” - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.
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