Opening for WRA Small Business Chair By Jan Teague, President/CEO
Board Member Ed Hildreth, Chair of WRA's Small Business Committee, will be leaving his post after six years. I met with Ed today to talk about the importance of our continued presence for small business.
I think it will be very hard to replace Ed who was willing to attend Small Business Conferences or agency meetings and speak on behalf of our small business members. Ed has moved on to other key volunteer positions stemming from his recent appointment to the Tumwater City Council, a job that starts with the heart, not the wallet.
What struck me the most today was Ed's insistence that we continue to build on the involvement of our small members even though their time is more stretched. He told me that it is absolutely a key for legislators listening to the retailers.
I know Ed's work has made a difference but measuring results when it comes to showing how we have built support for our retailers is very tough, particularly when most legislators don't own or never have owned a business.
As summer begins, let's all take measure of our civic duty in these tough economic times. Public policy impacts your business and your wallet and without a strong presence, the policy decisions on increasing taxes are likely to ignore what you think.
If you are a member of WRA, we would be very interested in hearing from you. We need new leadership to take over where Ed left off and to continue to grow our Small Business Committee and its involvement in our public policy discussions with the Legislature and with government agencies.
Please e-mail me at jteague@retailassociation.org if you are interested in more information about our Small Business Committee.
WRA warns of serious consequences from health care reform
Mark Johnson, WRA's Vice President Government Affairs, warned of costly outcomes after attending a meeting this week on the federal push for health care reform this year.
"There appears to be real urgency to enact sweeping and comprehensive health care reform regardless of the cost and impact on those who have health care," Johnson said. "I am concerned that the haste of the President and Congress will result in a 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' outcome."
Johnson met with the Association of Washington Business' Health Care Committee to review details of 850 pages of proposed legislation to change the current health care system. Congress is holding hearings this week.
Current estimates to cover every American in a health care plan range from $1 trillion to $1.6 trillion, Johnson said.
Various legislative proposals call for a government-run plan; a requirement that all Americans purchase health care or be taxed more if they refuse; and a plan similar to a Massachusetts system that allows customers to shop for health care through a clearinghouse of several possible choices. Most disturbing is talk of a mandate that employers provide health care or pay the government to provide it.
Particularly in the current deep worldwide recession, Johnson warned the costs to make the reforms could be damaging to businesses and health care customers.
"I seriously question whether Congress, even with one party's supermajority, will be able to deliver to the President meaningful, sweeping health care reform that doesn't critically damage the economic health of our business sector in these deep recessionary times," Johnson said.
There was strong sentiment at the meeting that Congress protect and not eliminate benefits guaranteed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The law sets minimum standards for voluntary pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in the plans and it allows companies to provide benefits across state lines.
President Obama's timeline for voting on the proposals is aggressive, Johnson said. Congress is aiming to deliver a bill Obama can sign by the end of August, he said.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll released this week on health care reform also revealed anxiety among Americans about its cost. Most respondents were "very concerned" that health care reform would lead to higher costs, lower quality of service, fewer choices, a bigger deficit and more government bureaucracy.
Gregoire aides voice economic concerns
Two top aides to Gov. Chris Gregoire expressed concerns about the future of the state economy in an address last week to a conference attended by Mark Johnson, WRA's Vice President Government Affairs.
Aides Marty Brown and Victor Moore said they remained concerned about state revenue shortfalls as far into the future as the 2011-2013 budget biennium.
During the 2009 Legislative session, lawmakers wrestled with program and personnel cuts necessary to eliminate an estimated $9 billion shortfall in state revenues for the 2009-2011 biennium.
Brown and Moore said increased social service caseloads are weighing heavily on the state's finances and warned the 2011-2013 revenue shortfalls could be worse than those addressed by the Legislature for the 2009-2011 budget period. Brown is Director of Legislative Affairs while Moore is Director of the Office of Financial Management.
Johnson reported that Brown and Moore expressed frustration that the Legislature had "lost its stomach" to make further spending cuts and that it would have to consider tax increases should a special session be deemed necessary later this year. If a special session is called, it probably would be early in October, Johnson said.
Brown and Moore also expressed disappointment, on behalf of Gregoire, that the Legislature sent her an excessive load of bills to sign, considering the weakened state economy. They also expressed Gregoire's disappointment that the Legislature had not sufficiently addressed the Governor's desire to eliminate more boards and commission, which Gregoire believes are underutilized or unnecessary.
Committee members asked whether sales tax increases would be part of considerations to address future revenue shortfalls. Brown and Moore estimate it would cost consumers an additional penny on the dollar in expenses for every $1 billion in new annual revenues the state might need to raise.
Johnson met with the Association of Washington Business' Government Affairs Committee at Alderbrook Resort and Spa near Union on the Hood Canal. The committee is made up of policymakers, Legislative staff and company and association representatives.
The group participated in panels on subjects including the environment, local government, the state budget, Enterprise Washington, higher education and upcoming special state elections.
Workers comp committee discusses rate increase
Increases in workers compensation insurance rates from the state could be coming next year.
Discussion of that possibility dominated a meeting this week of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, attended by Tammie Hetrick, WRA's Vice President of Retail Services.
The recession is drying up premium payments from certain industries where companies are closing, such as construction and manufacturing. At the same time, lost-time insurance claims due to injuries are increasing, Hetrick said.
That financial squeeze may make it necessary to raise rates next year, she said.
"We are concerned with rate increases during a time when most insurance companies have dropped rates to help employers get through this economy and keep jobs," Hetrick said.
In the past, L&I has been able to hedge against large rate increases by earning income from investments of the premiums. But returns from those investments have been down, Hetrick said.
"In the past, investments have been the way we've been able to keep rates down," she said.
L&I is not yet ready to discuss possible rate increases.
Hetrick said preliminary estimates of possible rate increases for next year could be known by September of this year.
WRA offers help on teen job safety
An important benefit of WRA membership is the assistance the organization provides for ensuring safe workplaces.
This service is particularly useful in the summer, when employers typically hire teenagers, many of whom are in their first jobs.
Patti Vernie, WRA's claims safety advisor, is available to visit companies and make recommendations on ensuring a safe working environment for teens.
Teens typically suffer burns, cuts and sprains on the job, Vernie said. Nationally, an estimated 230,000 teens are injured on the job every year, 70,000 of whom must visit hospital emergency rooms for treatment, the Department of Labor & Industries reports. Of those, injuries contribute to about 70 deaths annually among teens injured on the job, Vernie said.
Such outcomes can be avoided if workers heed sound safety advice, Vernie said.
Being new to the workplace, teens sometimes are afraid to ask questions. Employers therefore should identify safety hazards, provide safety training and protective equipment and encourage teens to ask safety-related questions.
"Working is a good experience for teens as long as it's a safe experience," Vernie said.
For more information on how WRA can improve workplace safety awareness, contact Vernie at 360-943-9198, Ext. 21 or at patti@retailassociationservices.com.
State posts tax law changes online
The Department of Revenue has posted online a summary of tax-related legislation approved during the 2009 Legislative session.
The summaries are meant to help businesses become aware of changes to the state tax system. The 2009 summary covers 43 bills.
The 2009 Legislature enacted several bills related to the workplace.
During the past session, lawmakers passed bills ranging from requiring construction workers to carry specific licenses and permits to the job to protecting workers from human trafficking violations.
It may be challenging for businesses to keep up with the volume of legislation considered and passed by the Legislature.
To address that need, L&I has summarized a variety of workplace-related bills so that employers may keep up on changing requirements. To review new laws, their effective dates and requirements, visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/AboutLNI/Legislature/Default.asp?WT.svl=3. Source: Labor and Industries
Two more "tea parties" planned for Olympia
Organizers are planning two more Olympia anti-tax demonstrations similar to one that drew 5,000 to the Capitol steps last April 15.
The events are similar to protests planned nationally and use the acronym TEA that stands for Taxed Enough Already.
The first event, which will follow a "picnic" format at Heritage Park, is organized by Ken Morse, a local septic system designer. Morse organized marchers for the April protest against state spending plans. Morse's event, which will feature speakers, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The later event in planned from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 4 on the Capitol steps. This event is being organized by Anton D. Rehling, who maintains a Website, www.patriotmarch.us.
Source: The Olympian
Free business fair coming in September
The 13th Washington Small Business Fair is scheduled on September 12 at Renton Technical College.
The free event aims to assist new and existing small businesses to grow and survive the recession.
The fair requires no pre-registration. Speakers will be unpaid and no private vendors or selling will be allowed during the event.
Seminars range from understanding taxes to business planning and from marketing to starting a Website. A list of exhibitors is expected to be posted at the fair's Website, www.bizfair.org, early in July. You can also visit the site for directions to the college and updates about the fair.
The Washington Retail Association participates on a planning committee and will exhibit at the fair. There is no single fair sponsor but organizations such as the Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and various state government departments participate in the planning.
About 50 exhibitors participate annually at the fair, attended by up to 1,000 visitors. Business networking is encouraged during the event.
The Washington Retail Association, WRA, is a 501 C 6 trade association formed to advocate for Washington State’s retailers at the local, state and national level. Since 1987, the WRA has protected Washington's retailers from unreasonable taxes, fees, regulations and legislation. The efforts of the WRA benefit all Washington state retailers and help fuel statewide economic growth.
