Contact: John Barnes
206-937-9691
jbarnes [at] washingtonpolicy [dot] org
OLYMPIA – At a press conference at the state capitol today, Washington Policy Center (WPC) and small business owners presented lawmakers with practical ways they can improve Washington’s small business climate and spur economic recovery in the state. The recommendations are from WPC’s new report 7 Steps on the Road to Economic Recovery [1].
The National Federation of Independent Business and the Association of Washington Business joined WPC to host the press conference. Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, and Rep. Norma Smith spoke at the event, along with a group of concerned small business owners.
“The number-one priority for every legislator should be creating and preserving private-sector jobs in our state,” said Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, the ranking member on the Labor and Commerce committee. “It’s time for common-sense solutions like the ones offered by Washington Policy Center and Senate Republicans – solutions that create an environment of predictability and stability, encouraging employers to create jobs.”
"As the ranking member on the Community & Economic Development & Housing Committee, I can tell you there's a lot of work to do, but you have our commitment to continue to work with Washington Policy Center, with the NFIB, with the other organizations that represent the lifeblood of our economy, and that's the business community, the small businesses across the state that we're going to see lead in this economic recovery," Rep. Norma Smith said at the press conference.
"I am particularly anxious to move forward on aligning Washington's regulations with national or international standards," said Rep. Deb Eddy, who participated in WPC's Statewide Small Business Conference last fall. "In fact, I'm sponsoring a bill this session to adopt the international energy efficiency code."
"Small businesses are the star player in our economy. It's important for the state to call some plays for them," said Sen. Derek Kilmer, who serves on the Economic Development Trade & Innovation Committee with Sen. Holmquist Newbry. "Efforts to simplify the state’s tax system and improve our state's competitiveness can help our small businesses grow and succeed and, consequently, can help our state’s economy recover."
Sen. Kilmer spoke at WPC’s Statewide Small Business Conference, where recommendations given to lawmakers today originated. Hundreds of small business owners suggested, discussed, and voted on ideas for solving the major problems with the state’s business climate and spurring economic recovery. The top recommendations from the conference are listed below.
Workers' Compensation
Revisit voluntary settlement agreement, as passed the state Senate in 2011.
Unemployment Insurance
Reform the displaced worker retraining program.
Tax Simplification for Small Businesses
Simplify sales taxes by using "origin based" as opposed to "destination based" sales taxes, and create a flat rate for out-of-state businesses.
Regulatory Reform
Review environmental regulations to ensure that Washington rules don't exceed federal regulations.
Health Care
Reform tort laws.
Transportation
Do no harm — do not reduce lane capacity.
Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
Legislature should not follow Seattle and should not enact statewide paid sick leave.
The complete list of recommendations, along with background research and analysis, is available in WPC’s new study 7 Steps on the Road to Economic Recovery [1], which was released at the press conference today. Contact WPC to obtain a hard copy.
Watch the press conference:
Patrick Connor, National Federation of Independent Business (at podium)
and Brandon Houskeeper, Association of Washington Business (left of podium).
Sen. Mike Hewitt and Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Senate.
Rep. Norma Smith.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Senate.
Erin Shannon, WPC small business director.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Senate.
Dann Mead Smith, WPC president.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Senate.