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Statement from Rep. Norma
Smith on passage of payroll tax hikes on employers
Senate
Bill 5963, the well-crafted unemployment insurance legislation
originally aimed at balancing out employers' payroll tax rates with the
amount needed to ensure benefits for the unemployed, was gutted today
after a heated debate.
Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, made this statement:
"It’s
truly disappointing that the majority made a decision to ‘pull the rug
out from under’ a carefully-negotiated agreement to help both the
unemployed in this state, and the employers trying to keep their doors
open to retain employees and create new jobs during these economic
times.
"I am
grateful for my Democrat colleagues who joined House Republicans to make
a stand and do the right thing to help employees and employers. The vote
was close, but unfortunately we did not prevail. I can only hope that
the Senate and governor will do the right thing and keep the promise
made.
"Yesterday, an
independent study on Washington's competitiveness was released that
noted, 'While Washington offers many advantages to aerospace companies,
its disadvantages outweigh the advantages in attracting and retaining
aerospace companies relative to other states.'
The report specifically mentioned Washington’s expensive unemployment
insurance system as one of those disadvantages. This issue impacts all
businesses in Washington. We must address the critical barriers to
attract and retain employers who create and provide good jobs in
Washington."
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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