Labor & Employment

Research Centers / Labor & Employment / What's New

What's New

Worker protection bill would ban workplace discrimination and promote social justice

May 15, 2013 in Blog

While the people of Washington and most lawmakers breathlessly await the outcome of closed-door budget negotiations (a process clothed in "sanctity," according to Governor Inslee), Senator Michael Baumgartner has introduced a bill that would promote fairness and social justice for every working person in the state.

Paul Krugman: There is “No Correlation” Between Regulations and Jobs

April 12, 2013 in Blog

Earlier this week liberal economist Paul Krugman declared there is “no correlation” between government regulations and job creation.   When pressed on the issue and encouraged to ask actual business owners how government regulations impact them, Krugman dismissed such claims, saying, “I have talked to them [business owners], that's not what they say.”

PubliCola takes umbrage at Washington Policy Center over union’s sub-minimum wage

April 4, 2013 in Blog

Erica C. Barnett over at PubliCola takes umbrage at my pointing out that the national AFL-CIO wants to pay its interns less than Washington’s minimum wage, calling my comments “feigned outrage.”

Union pays less than minimum wage

April 3, 2013 in Blog

Although many Democrats and Republicans support Rep. Gary Condotta’s training wage bill (HB 1150) our state’s powerful unions strongly oppose giving young workers access to job opportunities through a temporary training wage.

Subway Founder Says He Could Not Grow a Successful Business in Today's Environment

March 20, 2013 in Blog

When people who want more government regulations argue in favor of a new mandate on employers, one of the most used arguments the new rule won’t break the bank.  Taken in isolation, that is often true.  However, as Washington Policy Center has pointed out to lawmakers, these seemingly harmless regulations have a cumulative effect that eventually become so burdensome they cripple employers and prevent entrepreneurs from creating th

State Commission Tasked with Job Growth Says Regulations are “Overly Burdensome”

March 15, 2013 in Blog

Yesterday I participated in a press conference held by Senators Holmquist Newbry, Braun, Brown and Representative Manweller to highlight the pro business bills passed by the Senate that now await House approval.

When It Comes to Costs on Business, Some Lawmakers Aren’t Interested in the Big Picture

March 4, 2013 in Blog

On February 22 I was asked to testify before the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee on SB 5292 (companion bill is HB 1457), a bill that would significantly expand the paid family leave law that was passed in 2007 but never implemented because a funding source was never agreed upon.

If this is “the plan” to grow the economy, we need a new one

February 13, 2013 in Blog

Today Governor Inslee unveiled his “Working Washington Agenda,” a package of “legislative proposals to create and sustain a thriving economic climate.” In a press conference, the governor claimed his plan will “create a positive climate for job growth” and “give Washingtonians the tools to get back to work.”