Paid Family Leave Bill Passed by Senate – Urge Your State Representatives to Say No
The Senate has passed SB 5659, which would mandate paid family leave. The vote on this JobKiller may be found at www.JobMakers.com. This bill would allow five weeks of paid family leave – a costly program that would be financed by even small employers – is moving through the legislative process despite our strong opposition. AWB wants to prevent this bill from being passed in the House. Help AWB stop SB 5659 by telling your state representatives that you oppose this burdensome measure. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org. 

Streamlined Sales Tax Measure Passed by House – Next Stop, Governor’s Desk
SB 5089, which bring Washington's tax structure in line with the streamlined sales and use tax agreement, has been passed by the House. AWB has long supported this measure and is pleased to see that it is now on its way to the governor, who is expected to sign it. The change in tax structure would apply only to merchandise that is sold in one tax jurisdiction and delivered to another. It would require all retailers who deliver merchandise to collect sales tax based on the point of delivery, rather than the point of sale.  Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

“Pay or Play” is Back – Will its Supporters Ever Learn?
SB 6147, the latest so-called “fair share” health bill (SB 6147) would slap a B&O surcharge on retailers with 500 or more employees. If the retailer spends 9 percent of their payroll on health care, the B&O surcharge is removed.  “Pay or play” health care schemes, like this one, are on shaky legal grounds. Already, “pay or play” legislation passed in Maryland has been thrown out of federal court as an ERISA violation. When will “pay or play” supporters ever learn? Let’s stop this bill before it gets any further in the legislative process! Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Puget Sound Partnership Bill to be Heard in House Committee, Mar. 23
SB 5372, which would create the Puget Sound Partnership as an independent state agency, will receive a hearing in the House’s Select Committee on Puget Sound, 8 a.m., Mar. 23. The bill would create a partnership to be lead by a council and executive director appointed by the governor. The commission would be responsible for setting goals for cleaning up Puget Sound by 2020. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org  or Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

High-Tech R&D Tax Credit Measure Now in House
A measure (SB 5685) to restore the business and occupation tax credit for high technology research and development spending has passed the Senate and is now in the House. This is a good bill that would help boost our economy. Please urge your state representatives to support this measure. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Keep the Focus on Student Achievement
ESSB 6023 would require the State Board of Education to choose three standardized, norm-referenced assessments in each content area as additional alternatives to the WASL.  We already have three approved alternatives.  We believe the focus should be on helping students acquire the skills needed to pass the assessment, rather than identifying additional alternatives that add complexity to the system and could divert focus from the fundamental goal of increasing student achievement. Contact Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.