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.