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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2011)
local news Labor Solidarity continued from page 1 two special interests. Business clocked in a win when the Legislature halted an increase in the unemployment tax rates early in the session, a tax break worth $300 million this year. Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted the changes, saying that it will help business around the state keep afloat as they emerge from the Great Recession. So far, labor seems to holding its line on changes they don’t like to the workers com- pensation system, stymieing a Senate bill that would add the option of settle- ments. “The fundamental issue is that labor is focused on state benefits for their members,” Mullin said. “We’re interested in expanding employment.” About 1,000 mental health care workers will walk off the job on Thursday, said Jonathan Rosenblum, spokesman for the Service Employees International Union 1199 NW, the union that cov- ers them. “This isn’t a traditional strike against an employer. This is a strike against the state because the state funds the agencies where they work,” Rosenblum said. “Our issue, our problem is with the Legislature.” That strike is one of the several demon- strations planned next week to underscore labor’s demands to close tax breaks for cer- tain industries, an agenda that was put rolled out in December but hasn’t gotten much traction since then. Gregoire doesn’t support ending tax breaks for big companies such as Boeing, citing job creation. But after seeing the revenue forecast dip another $780 million in the next two years, labor leaders say they will try again. “We expect more than a tepid response,” Johnson said. Any time the subject of tax loopholes is brought up, though, Republican leaders are quick to say that tax breaks go both ways, sending out earlier this week a list that included child care in churches, legal serv- ices for low-income people, and govern- ment grants to arts organization among dozens of others. Labor leaders said trail balloons have also been sent through the Legislature about a referendum on Initiative 1053, the voter- approved initiative that requires a two- thirds vote in both chambers to raise taxes and fees. “No one whether labor or business ought to feel comfortable where they are in the legislature. The best we can do is educate the members, make the best arguments we can,” Johnson said. of anyone who calls and represents them- selves as a City Light employee. Also, before customers provide any credit infor- mation, they should call City Light at 684- 3000 to verify that the request is legitimate. If a customer believes he or she has been contacted by a con artist, they are urged to contact the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011 to report the incident. So far, labor seems to holding its line on changes they don’t like to the workers compensation system, stymieing a Senate bill that would add the option of settlements. The fundamental issue is that labor is focused on state benefits for their members Social Insurance, Washington is ranked behind West Virginia in the highest benefits paid for injured workers. The Roundtable also says the Washington has one of the highest unemployment insurance taxes. They want the state out of the top-10 in combined local-state taxes on businesses, unemployment insurance tax rates, and workers compensation benefits _ the last two are areas where business has fought labor this year. Unemployment taxes and workers com- pensation are a permanent battle for these susan frIed PHoTo cation this session, adding that they are crafting a proposal to establish a $1 billion endowment, where half the money would come from the private sector and the other half from the state. “It catches people by surprise, in an envi- ronment of 9 percent unemployment that we have significant openings in critical areas like engineering and other technical fields,” Mullin added. According to the National Academy of Despite the rain several hundred people gathered monday, April 4, at mLk Jr. park on the 43rd Anniversary of the assassination of martin Luther king Jr. to “Stand up for working Families.” The rally in Seattle was one of hundreds of events held through out the country to show solidarity with workers. Bills continued from page 1 City Light logo and will always display it when asked. All City Light customers are advised to take down the name and telephone number Buz LISTENING TOUR – SMALL BUSINESS JOBS ACT continued from page 1 visions. SBA wants to ensure stakeholders understand how to utilize our programs and can give input on SBJA implementation, guaranteeing maximum benefit. Attendees will have an opportunity to influence how the SBJA provisions are implemented. Senior SBA headquarters and field office officials and policy makers will be hosting the event. Along with roundtables for current and prospective SBA lenders, the following breakout ses- sions will be offered: SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development will take gener- al comments on key contracting provisions, including: multiple-award contract set- asides; contract bundling accountability; consolidation of contracts requirements; subcontracting plan improvements, misrep- resentations, and timeliness of payment; mentor-protégé programs for women- owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone businesses; presumption of loss to the federal government and willful misrepresentation of size and status by busi- ness owners; and, annual certification of size requirement SBA’s Office of Capital Access will dis- cuss new efforts to simplify and streamline loan programs and requirements, while also enhancing customer service in areas such as lending policy, processing, and oversight operations. SBA’s Office of Capital Access will dis- cuss opportunities to accessing capital, and how SBA loan programs (including new Jobs Act tools) can help. SBA’s Office of Capital Access will dis- Attendees have an opportunity to influence how the provisions are implemented. cuss major new lending initiatives, includ- ing Advantage loans, 504 re-financing, the Dealer Floor Plan pilot, and more. Investing in Counseling and Training Services to Support the Growth of Small Businesses SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development will discuss the Jobs Act’s support for your local Small Business Development Center and other resources to provide free counseling and training in areas such as exporting. SBA’s Office of International Trade will discuss new exporting tools such as increased loan sizes, the Export Express program, and state-level STEP grants made possible by the Jobs Act as well as new efforts under the National Export Initiative to double exports over the next five years. SBA’s Office of Size Standards will dis- cuss: basics of SBA’s small business size standards, comprehensive size standards review, how SBA establishes, reviews and revises size standards (Size Standards Methodology), the order of NAICS sectors to be reviewed and their current status, Federal rulemaking process, and size stan- dards policy issues for which SBA seeks public feedback. Regional Government Contracting Update and Staff Meet & Greet SBA field staff from our Office of Government Contracting and Office of Field Operations will present a brief update on the local/regional government contract- ing environment and the resources available to you. Staff represented will include Government Contracting Area Office Directors and District Office Business Development Specialists (8(a) program). Valuable members of SBA’s resource part- ners will also be on-hand to address ques- tions specific to government contracting. april 6, 2011 The Seattle Skanner Page 3 • U.S. SBA Headquarter Offices of Government Contracting and Business Development Ric Miller, Advisor to the Associate Administrator for Government Con tracting and LeAnn Delaney, Deputy Director for Business Develop - ment • Capital Access –John Hale, Deputy Associate Administrator for Capital Access, • Entrepreneurial Development – Ellen Thrasher, Director off Entrepreneurship Development • International Trade – Luz Hopewell, Acting Administration or International Trade • Keynote Presentation: Joe Jordan, Associate Administrator for Government Contracting • White House Representative: Bibi Hidalgo, Senior Policy Advisor, The White House Office of Public Engagement • Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Registration required, FREE Visit www.sba.gov/jobsacttour to learn more about the SBJA and program agenda for the Seattle event.
