Retooling Spokane’s economic development
Organizations representing local businesses and economic development interests have made it known that the previous and existing model for promoting the greater Spokane region was not conducive to...
View ArticleImplementing tariffs “playing with fire”
A panel featuring representatives from small business, agriculture and the trade sector met in Seattle this month to discuss – and humanize – the effect that retaliatory tariffs are having on...
View ArticleBusiness community concerned over proposed overtime changes
Representatives from the business community say that while they appreciate efforts made by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to update its overtime rules, they are concerned about how...
View ArticleVideo: ‘Tis the season of trees
Lens interviewed Northwest Landscape Supply Owner Gary Fruhling and Bellevue resident Jeanne Ulstein to get their perspectives on the competition that Christmas tree selling businesses face and the...
View ArticleLocal businesses navigate Christmas tree shortage
‘Tis the season for Christmas tree selling, and Washington’s tree selling businesses and tree farms are busy cycling in trees so community members can take them home for decoration and enjoyment this...
View ArticleI-5 bridge talks back to drawing board
After years of effort by state and local lawmakers as well as business groups, the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee finally met last week to begin preliminary talks about the future...
View ArticleWashington’s next major airport
Some state lawmakers think it’s time for Washington to start looking for the location of its next major commercial airport, and a new Senate proposal would hand that task over to a new commission...
View ArticleNew runway for aviation loan program
The state legislature last year overwhelmingly voted in favor of HB 1656 creating an aviation loan program to help smaller airports with infrastructure investment projects. However, the bill was vetoed...
View Article‘Knockout punch’ for refineries with local government ‘bait-and-switch’
With one of the Washington environmental community’s top targets for elimination within its borders, Whatcom County demonstrated in January that the “public” part of the public process may be...
View ArticleShipping hub feels squeeze of regional growth
Santa’s workshop may be in the North Pole, but he has an outpost tucked away nearby in a place you might not expect: Tukwila, Washington. Each Christmas season, Tukwila serves as a regional domestic...
View ArticleBill to reduce driving would hamper economic growth, stakeholders warn
A Senate bill aims to reduce the amount of miles Washingtonians drive through amendments to the state Growth Management Act (GMA). SB 6335 introduced by Rep. Jesse Salomon (D-32) would add climate...
View ArticleLCFS proposal “destroys our competitiveness”
The state House has voted 52-44 in favor of a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) program via HB 1110; introduced last year and at that time approved by the chamber 53-43, the legislation reached the...
View ArticleAmid warnings of hit to business community, B&O tax clears legislature
The state House voted 52-45 on Feb. 6 in favor of SB 6492 creating a new set of business and occupation (B&O) taxes and surcharges, which if signed by Governor Jay Inslee will replace a prior tax...
View ArticleTax incentive bill reveals economic ties
The state legislature in 2003 enacted several tax incentives for aerospace manufacturers such as the Boeing. In a strange turn of events, the company is now asking state lawmakers to eliminate its...
View ArticleSupreme court refuses to take up Seattle income tax case
The Washington State Supreme Court has announced it will not hear a legal case regarding the city of Seattle’s graduated income tax ordinance previously struck down by both the King County Superior...
View ArticleSeattle job tax 2.0: “Punitive tax policy”
Two years after approving and then quickly repealing a $275-per-employee job tax to fund homelessness programs, the Seattle City Council at its April 6 meeting voted to send a revised proposal for...
View ArticleWashington’s “economic refugees” caution against new taxes
With the Washington State Supreme Court unwilling to reexamine its long-standing position that a graduated income tax is illegal, some local and state elected officials continue searching for ways to...
View ArticleStakeholders urge discussions on reopening businesses
Key elected state officials and small business advocates are stressing the need for a state plan to allow businesses to reopen their doors as soon as possible while complying with health and safety...
View ArticleInslee may reopen construction, other activity
Governor Jay Inslee announced in an April 21 address to the state that his March 18 “shelter-in-place” order will extend beyond May 4, though certain activities such as construction and outdoor...
View ArticleBusiness, labor strongly oppose Seattle job tax
As the Seattle City Council continues discussions on a proposed new job tax, regional businesses and labor representatives have responded with a letter to Mayor Jenny Durkan and the City Council...
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