Roll Call

- Save this date: On March 19th, the Revenue Forecast is expected to confirm early predictions of an $8 Billion budget shortfall. A number comparable in proportion to California.

- House Democrats have insinuated that they will help close this gap by letting the voters decide whether or not to raise taxes in November. Senate Majority Leader, Lisa Brown, has implied similar tactics to manage the budget.

- While there is much talk and speculation, it's very difficult to understand what exactly is happening with our state's budget. Dick Davis from WashACE pointed this out on his blog on Monday.

- Wednesday the 12th is the last day to consider bills in their house of origin. From now until then, bills will be brought up for vote on the floor or will die for the session.

Bills on our Radar

The Employer Gag Rule

(HB 1528 / SB 5446)

Unions continue to try and un-level the playing ground by making it difficult for employers to communicate with their employees on union matters. The "Worker Privacy Act", or Employer Gag Rule, is a top priority for the Chamber Coalition and we unequivocally oppose this legislation.

The bill has been capturing some media attention across the state. In Longview, The Daily News published an editorial that strips away the rhetoric and gets to the real meaning and potential constitutional issues behind the bill. The Everett Herald chimed in about the bill as it relates to Boeing and the general sentiment of the bill's proponents. Even the Seattle PI has claimed that the bill would "insult the majority of good companies" and is "pointless".

The Coalition is organizing a grassroots effort to remind our legislators that this bill is unnecessary and sends the wrong messages to companies. This is a time to focus on bringing jobs and growth to Washington, not to scare job providers from locating or expanding here.

Contact Tim Hunt if you are interested in testifying or have additional information to strengthen our lobbying efforts.

Cap & Trade

(HB 1819/ SB 5735)

The Cap & Trade system proposed by the Governor seeks to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by imposing taxes on businesses that hold many family wage jobs. Both the House and Senate versions of this bill remain alive, though they have been altered from their original form.

These alterations may hinder the chances of these bills to make final passage as they place severe restrictions on the intial goals of the legislation. All the while, certain Eastside legislators insist that these bills are an important message to our Federal leadership to consider a national wide program.

While the Coalition does not question the well meaning intent of our leaders, we would encourage them to consider the consequences of co-sponsoring and introducing such legislation. Hard economic times are upon us and Washington is only responsible for 3/10 of 1 % of greenhouse emissions in the country. This is neither the time nor the place to threaten companies which create jobs that are vital to our economic well-being.

The Coalition continues to oppose this legislation.

Unemployment Conformity

(SB 5963)

We support this bill which resolves critical differences with the state's Unemployment Insurance system and federal law. This will clarify the conditions under which a worker who leaves employment voluntarily may receive UI benefits and more accurately aligns unemployment payouts to reflect benefits paid. This bill has broad support across the business community as 98% of businesses will either stay at the same tax rate or will receive a tax cut.

The House version of this bill recently died in committee, so it will take a proactive effort to ensure the final passage of this bill in both the House and Senate.

STAY TUNED...
Bills then have until March 12th to be voted out of their house of origin, then we will start over again in the opposite houses. Our next Action Alert will come at that time.