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Competitive
aerospace industry helps all
Washington employers, Smith says
Legislation slated for a floor vote tonight would begin to
improve
state's business climate
An
independent report
citing serious national competitiveness challenges, shortfalls and
opportunities in Washington's aerospace industry today sparked debate on
what should be done to ensure a healthy business climate.
Rep. Norma Smith, who serves on the informal legislative
Aerospace Task Force, believes one major step could be taken tonight to
help the industry.
"It's
clear we have some deep historical advantages to having a vibrant
aerospace industry in our state," said Smith, R-Clinton. "However, we
face serious challenges from other states that are aggressively courting
our aerospace businesses with better labor policies, favorable tax rates
and other incentives. We need a comprehensive plan of action to address
the industry's areas of concern.
One important step we can take tonight is to pass Senate Bill 5963,
which would get our unemployment insurance rates in line with the cost
of the benefits."
Smith
believes
Senate
Bill 5963, as approved in the Senate, should be given unanimous
support tonight when it comes up for a vote. The vote, she said, is
important for all employees and employers in Washington.
The
original Senate measure is a delicate compromise between business and
labor interests. The employer community agreed to support the weekly
increase in unemployment insurance benefits authorized in
House
Bill 1906, with commitment from majority party members that
the rate structure, which overtaxed businesses more than $2 billion,
would be corrected without payroll tax increases through Senate Bill
5963.
Smith said the amendments to the bill proposed by House majority members would gut the compromise
and add triggers that increase payroll taxes on employers. This would
happen at just about the same time the state's economy is supposed to
start an upswing, she said, which would stymie job creation and growth
in Washington.
"The
amended version of the bill would do nothing to instill the confidence
our employers need to keep their doors open. Let's get the bill back to
its original form and give every business in our state, including the
aerospace industry, a bright signal that we got their message and we
want them growing and creating jobs here - not in Texas," said Smith.
The
10th District legislator added that the unemployment insurance rate fix
should be our top priority today. The Senate bill is up for a vote in
the House sometime this evening. And, Smith said, efforts will be made
to strip out the House committee amendments.
"It's a
critical conformity issue that creates a
payroll tax rate structure that is balanced to ensure workers have
benefits and employers aren't overtaxed," Smith explained.
Smith
advocates for a holistic remedy to Washington's declining business
climate.
"Everything we do that harms the aerospace industry hurts every other
business in Washington," Smith said. "Creating and supporting
family-wage jobs is absolutely critical in these economic times. We need
to look at all the hurdles that hamper the ability of employers to
retain and create jobs and grow their businesses."
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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