House budget trimming comes mostly from surplus tax collections: Reserves at risk
As the Legislature works toward adjournment in mid-March, lawmakers are considering budget bills. The House passed its budget. While loss of an expected $425 million in revenues caused budget writers to trim, unfortunately, most of the cutting came tax collections headed to reserves. Net spending increased. AWB is urging the governor and the Legislature to maintain at least $1 billion in reserves. The House leaves about $750 million, more than half of which is locked in the hard-to-tap constitutionally protected rainy day fund. With nonpartisan staff projecting a structural deficit of more than $2 billion in the next biennium, the state’s spending problem requires immediate correction. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org
Missed opportunity: Transportation concurrency bill dies in Legislature
HB 2950 and SB 6566 were important AWB-backed bills that would have changed concurrency law under the Growth Management Act. This legislation provided that if a landowner or developer pays impact fees during the development or construction of a project, the concurrency requirements of the GMA are satisfied. This would have encouraged and concentrated growth and development within the Urban Growth Areas rather than encouraging urban sprawl. The legislation would have also taken the first step at reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level by reducing commute times. Unfortunately, both bills died last week. This was a real missed opportunity. AWB will continue working on this important issue in upcoming legislative sessions.
For more information, see these links:
HB 2950, sponsored by Rep. Deborah Eddy, D-Kirkland
SB 6566, sponsored by Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester
Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.
RFID bill is a bad idea for Washington businesses
HB 1031 is now in the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. This legislation would restrict the use of radio frequency identification technology. The bill contains overly burdensome labeling and notification requirements and would place Washington business at competitive disadvantage, as no other state in the nation has passed similar laws. This bill will stifle future innovative RFID technologies that will provide additional safety and protections for consumers and businesses, assist in the removal of recalled products from stores and guard against the sale of counterfeit prescription medications and other merchandise.
For more information, see these links:
HB 1031, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon
Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.
AWB works to control greenhouse gases without expanding bureaucratic authority
HB 2815, the governor’s greenhouse gas request legislation, is moving forward through the Senate after passing the House last Tuesday on a 64-31 vote. Special thanks to Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, who helped make improvements to the bill, including requiring the Department of Ecology to come back to the Legislature to seek approval for its greenhouse gas reductions program. As the bill goes through the Senate, we are now working to make further improvements to the bill, including sections addressing reporting and transportation.
For more information, see these links:
HB 2815, sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish
Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.
Working families’ tax credits may ultimately force higher taxes
SB 6809 and HB 3244 would provide for a sales and use tax exemption, in the form of a remittance, to lower-income working families in Washington, measured by the federal earned income tax credit. AWB is concerned about these bills, which add expenditures to a state budget already facing large deficits and may force tax hikes.
For more information, see these links:
HB 3244, sponsored by Rep. Tami Green, D-Lakewood
SB 6809, sponsored by Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver
Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org
Expansion of Health Insurance Partnership doesn’t help small businesses provide health insurance
The House recently passed 2SHB 2537 that revises the Health Insurance Partnership (HIP) legislation that passed last year. This year’s bill expands HIP, which was originally created to provide premium assistance to low-wage, uninsured employees of small employers, and uses taxpayer money to create a parallel health insurance market, a stepping-stone to government-run health care. Further, the HIP does nothing to control health care costs and increase choice for small employers. AWB urges all members to contact their state senators and members of the Senate leadership and express opposition to the unnecessary expansion of this government-run program.
For more information, see these links:
2SHB 2537, sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody
Contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.
Workers’ comp ‘pay during appeal’ bills on the move
HB 3139, which would require the Department of Labor and Industries and employers who self-insure for workers’ compensation to pay all benefits on claims while the eligibility for benefits is on appeal, is now in the Senate. Working with self-insured employers, AWB is advocating for amendments that would place important limitations and qualifications around this proposal. The problem is that if an employee erroneously receives benefits — sometimes tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars — L&I or the self-insured employer stands very little chance of ever recovering their money. The prospect of having to pay back erroneously paid benefits could also be a major hardship — even a cause of bankruptcy — for workers, also a bad outcome.
For more information, see these links:
HB 3139, sponsored by Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma
Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.
AWB supports residential contractor bill which identifies and fixes defects without litigation
2SHB 3349, which would require the Department of Licensing to conduct a sunrise review of the need for regulation of contractors involved in the repair, alteration, or construction of single-family homes, is now in the Senate after the House approved it. AWB supports 2SHB 3349 as a responsible alternative to trial lawyer-inspired SB 6385, sponsored by Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, which would encourage more lawsuits against small and large contractors alike. Learn more about this issue by reading AWB President Don Brunell’s weekly column at www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=1624&z=10.
For more information, see these links:
2SHB 3349 sponsored by Rep. Mark Ericks, D-Bothell
Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.
Though well intended, open-ended leave bills are nebulous and costly
HB 2602, which would mandate open-ended leaves of absence for employees facing domestic violence, is in the Senate. While we are concerned about victims of domestic violence and don’t disagree with the underlying purpose of the bills, AWB advocates amendments that would bring the proposal in line with existing family leave laws and would provide some definition and certainty around employer obligations, especially in regard to the definition of what a “reasonable” amount of time for such a leave would be under this law.
For more information, see these links:
HB 2602, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam
Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.
Streamlined sales tax needs action in Senate
HB 2380 and HB 3126, two important bills related to the streamlined sales tax, are in the Senate after passage by the House. HB 3126 received a hearing today, while AWB is working hard to get HB 2380 heard and both bills ultimately approved by the Senate.
For more information, see these links:
HB 2380, sponsored by Rep. Mark Ericks, D-Bothell
HB 3126, sponsored by Rep. Liz Loomis, D-Snohomish
Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org
AWB supports regulatory assistance bill
E2SHB 2631 clarifies the role and responsibilities of the Office of Regulatory Assistance. This bill would redefine ORA’s project service assistance services to provide different levels of service to projects of different size and complexity, reinstate a coordinated permitting process, and require the ORA to report to the Legislature biennially with recommendations. AWB will support HB 2631 at its hearing its hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Elections on Friday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, see these links:
E2HB 2631 sponsored by Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham
Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org
Safety and health grant dollars available—apply now!
The Department of Labor and Industries is now accepting applications for the Safety and Health Investment Project program grant dollars. This program will provide funding for safety and health projects in workplaces covered by the medical aid fund. Projects involving accident prevention through cooperation between employers and employees get priority. L&I has $8 million to give to public and private employers, trade associations, business associations and other qualified recipients. For applications and more information, see www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/Grants/default.asp . Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.
OSHA 10-hour certification course
Bring yourself up to date on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held April 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woodland Park Zoo. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Register and find information enrollment fees at www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
Compdata Surveys help you attract and retain key employees
Get the information you need to attract and retain your key employees with Compdata Surveys. Their database provides comprehensive information on pay practices, benefits and salaries for nearly 650 job titles. Participate in the 2008 survey and gain access to the results for only $349. Save even more when you mention promo code AWB. Contact Compdata Surveys at (800) 300-9570 or visit them at www.compdatasurveys.com to learn more.
International Shipping 101: ‘What you need to know’ Seminar
Getting your goods from point A to point B can be challenging in the best of times, but overseas air and ocean freight can be confusing and prone to unnecessary delays and costs. This half-day workshop will explain the role of the freight forwarder and U.S. Customs Broker, the main modes of transportation, insurance, packing, U.S. Customs, billing and more! Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
U.S. Chamber General Counsel to address AWB’s spring meeting about union organizing
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Steven Law will address AWB’s annual spring meeting in Spokane on May 22 on state and federal union organization legislation anticipated in 2009. “Steven is an excellent speaker and his message is something every employer should hear,” AWB President Don Brunell said. For information about the meeting, contact Jennifer Davis at JenniferD@awb.org.
A bad “fix” to contractor issue will increase home prices and spawn a new round of lawsuits
— See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org
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