The "Hirst fix" is in on the state budget
NFIB/Washington State Director Patrick Connor reports from Olympia on the small-business agenda as of July 6.
Due to the Independence Day holiday, the Legislature was not in formal session this week. Although, it did reach a milestone, setting a record for most days in session in one year, with 178 … and counting. The third special session must adjourn by July 20.
State Budget
The Legislature still has some work to do, namely resolving the impasse on the two-year capital budget, which is being held hostage to secure a “Hirst fix,” reversing an adverse state Supreme Court decision on exempt water wells.
The last-minute budget deal received substantial press coverage, last week. NFIB is monitoring Gov. Jay Inslee’s vetoes of budget line items and possibly part of the related tax package. Twenty-five House Democrats wrote the governor asking him to veto the unexpected 40 percent reduction for manufacturers in what the Democrats erroneously referred to as the “business and occupancy tax rate.” As their letter points out, there was no public notice or hearing about this provision.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
The other big news was Governor Inslee signing the paid family and medical leave bill, Senate Bill 5975, Wednesday, July 5. NFIB received some coverage due to its opposition to it, including Q-13 FOX TV and web article, the Spokesman-Review, NPR, a Washington Policy Center blog post, and a website called INQUISITR. In most cases, comments from readers have favored our position.
NFIB took some hits from legislators, lobby groups (both business and labor), and at least one member, for standing firm on principle. Fortunately, aside from some social media posts, the back-biting has not been public.
Sen. Joe Fain has posted this handy Family Leave Benefit Calculator. Please note it provides estimates only.
Previous Reports and Related News Releases, Editorials
June 30 Report—On Paid Leave: “Make no mistake, we remain opposed.”
June 23—Report June 30 Deadline to Avoid State Government Shutdown
June 16 Report—Paid Leave Deal Set, Bill Introduction Expected Next Week
June 9 Report—Washington Legislature Heading Into Triple Overtime
June 1 Report—That Second Special Sound—Crickets
May 26 Report—Inslee Declares Capital Gains, Property Tax Proposals Dead
May 19 Report—Another Special Session of the Washington Legislature Expected
May 12 Report—Inslee Signs Small Business Bill of Right Inventory Into Law
May 5 Report—Governor Expected to Sign NFIB-Crafted Bill Into Law
April 28 Report—Bill Simplifying Crowd Funding Signed Into Law
April 21 Report—NFIB Victory: Regulatory Fairness Act Signed Into Law
April 7, 14 Report—NFIB Victory: Ban The Box Bills Dead—For Now
March 31 Report—Labor Threat: Paid Family Leave Legislation or Ballot Initiative
March 24 Report—‘Get NFIB on Board’ Orders Senate Committee Chairman
March 17 Report—Legislators Challenged on Their Ban-The-Box Hypocrisy
March 10 Report—Major Legislative Deadline Passes in Olympia
March 3 Report—NFIB Agenda Bills Passing by Big Margins in Olympia
February 24 Report—Key NFIB Legislative Bills Advancing in Olympia
February 22 Editorial—Good News Can Come Out of Olympia
February 17 Report—NFIB Making Long Strides in Regulatory Reform
February 16 News Release—Small Business Seeking to Toss I-1433
February 16 News Release—New Poll Shines Light on Big Small-Business Headache
February 10 Report—NFIB Only Business Group to Testify for Right to Work
February 3 Report—Competing Employer Mandates Take Center Stage
January 27 Report—Small Business Bill of Rights Inventory Legislation Advances
January 20 Report—Bill Introductions Begin in Earnest in Olympia
January 13 Report—Opening of Legislative Session Sees NFIB Charging Ahead
[Tile photo courtesy of the Washington State Legislative Support Services]