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Lawmaker reminds employers
to comment on proposed workers' compensation rate increase
Comments
on proposed $117 million tax increase will be accepted at public
hearings and in
writing until Nov. 7, 2009
Rep. Cary Condotta,
lead Republican on commerce and labor issues, urges employers to make
their voices heard on the state Department of Labor and Industries'
proposed 7.6 percent workers' compensation tax increase. The increase is
estimated to cost employers $117 million. Comments will
be accepted at six public hearings and in writing until Nov. 7.
"Now is the time to speak up," said Condotta, R- East
Wenatchee. "The rate increase was proposed in late September, with the
goal of setting 2010 new rates by the end of November. This potential
tax hike is moving along very quickly, making it critically important
for employers to come
forward and talk about the impact higher taxes will have on their ability
to employ people and keep their doors open."
The public hearings on the rate increase will take place
as follows:
• Tukwila: Oct. 27, 1 p.m., L&I Office, 12806
Gateway Dr.
• Tumwater: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., L&I
Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
• Vancouver:
Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia
St.
• Bellingham: Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Bellingham Quality
Inn, 100 E. Kellogg Rd.
• Spokane: Oct. 30, 9 a.m.,
Spokane Airport Ramada, 8909 W. Airport Dr.
•
Richland: Oct. 30, 2 p.m., Richland Hampton Inn, 486
Bradley Blvd.
The 2010 rates will be adopted by Nov. 30. Employers can
also submit comments in writing
on or before Nov. 7, 2009. Written comments can
be e-mailed to
Ronald Moore,
Employer Services Program Manager, at
MOOA235@lni.wa.gov. Comments can
be mailed to Ronald Moore at Department of Labor &
Industries, P.O. Box 44140, Olympia, WA 98504-4140.
Faxed comments should go to 360-902-4729.
"I understand the public hearing locations may not be
convenient, but I hope folks will consider sending an e-mail or a letter
if they cannot attend one of the six hearings around Washington,"
Condotta said. "State agencies must know how increased taxes will impact
employers and job creation."
# # #
For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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