King County court smacks down Seattle income tax
If the city of Seattle’s message to residents was “you can leave if you don’t like our income tax,” King County Superior Court perhaps had a message of its own for the city: If you don’t like the ban...
View ArticleMore GMA fine-tuning needed for rural counties, say lawmakers
As Washington continues to grow, rural counties throughout the state are struggling to attract new businesses and jobs for their residents. Some state and local lawmakers much of the difficulty is due...
View ArticleVoters reject Spokane rail prop; stakeholders relieved
Spokane voters have rejected a ballot proposition that would have placed fees on the shipment of certain fossil fuels through city limits. Business stakeholders say they are relieved that voters...
View ArticleStudy findings may discourage legislators’ budget tinkering
Washington benefits from one of the more stable revenue streams in the nation, and the best among the West Coast states. That’s according to a new study by the Tax Policy Center that examined all 50...
View ArticleEnergy council recommends governor deny Vancouver Energy project
The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) voted unanimously this week to send Governor Jay Inslee a recommendation to deny the proposed Vancouver Energy terminal project....
View ArticleSeattle, think tank income tax arguments are “frivolous,” says plaintiff
The plaintiffs challenging the city of Seattle’s income tax have succeeded so far, with a November 22 ruling in King County Superior Court overturning the ordinance. To prevent further appeals that aim...
View ArticleEvent spending boosts Seattle economic activity
Traveling events and sporting games are important to Seattle businesses as they lay the groundwork for additional spending in the local area. Some of the best opportunities for employers include large...
View ArticlePreparing Washington for air cargo’s big takeoff
Air freight is a popular form of transport for Washington producers exporting their products overseas to the Asia market. The state’s primary gateway for exports is Sea-Tac International Airport; in...
View ArticleMillennium Bulk Terminals sues Ecology for withheld records
Millennium Bulk Terminals (MBT) filed a lawsuit this week against the Washington State Department of Ecology for withholding records used as the basis for critical findings within the proposed terminal...
View ArticleWashington high court adds doubt to Seattle income tax appeal
A Washington State Supreme Court ruling issued Thursday may have just added yet another hurdle for any possible appeal by the city of Seattle for its income tax. The 7-2 decision struck down a 2015...
View ArticleSeattle makes “long shot” appeal on income tax
The city of Seattle is moving forward with its “long shot” appeal to the King County Superior Court ruling on its income tax ordinance. They’re seeking a review of it by the State Supreme Court, which...
View ArticleLicensing, permitting top regulatory burdens for Washington businesses
Washington businesses often struggle to navigate numerous licensing and regulatory requirements while operating in the state, and industry and business leaders are saying these challenges are major...
View ArticleSeattle’s vacation rental industry hit with new rules
The Seattle City Council unanimously approved new regulations at a Monday meeting on short-term and vacation rentals that industry members warn will backfire as the city looks to address a lack of...
View ArticleUltra high-speed rail could work, study finds
A high-speed rail line between Vancouver, B.C. through Seattle to Portland, Oregon could potentially provide 1.7-2.1 million annual trips and pay for its own maintenance and costs by 2035. It’s a...
View ArticleState Treasurer warns against use of emergency funds in budget proposal
Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed 2018 supplemental budget released Thursday brought forth mixed tidings of discomfort and joy. His operating budget would add $1 billion in spending to the 2017-19...
View ArticleEmployers call for better workplace safety citation process
Washington business owners are reporting that it is difficult to stay informed when receiving workplace safety inspection penalties given out by the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I)’s...
View ArticleCourt says Ecology overreached with Clean Air Rule
A Thurston County Superior Court judge ruling on Friday invalidated the state Department of Ecology’s Clean Air Rule due to a lack of statutory authority. For the time being, Ecology says it is...
View ArticleKeyArena Renovation: potential boon for local economy
Seattle city leaders have approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Los Angeles-based Oak View Group (OVG) to renovate KeyArena with the hope of attracting both National Hockey League (NHL) and...
View ArticleHigher tolls could improve I-405 travel times, WSDOT study says
The fate of dynamic tolling of 17-miles of high occupancy (HOV) lanes on Interstate 405 between Bellevue and Lynnwood could have long-term implications for Eastside traffic congestion reduction and...
View ArticleAnalyst: Amazon searching for better business climate
As Amazon looks for candidates for its second headquarters (HQ2), Seattle leadership would like a clean slate in its relationship with the company. One policy researcher warns the city missed its...
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