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Thursday, May 08, 2025Governor signs legislation expanding minor work hours and strengthening safety requirements
In April, Governor Ferguson signed two new laws impacting youth employment in Washington State. HB 1121 expands allowable work hours for 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, while HB 1164 increases safety requirements and penalties for violations involving minor workers. Sponsored by Representative McClintock (LD-18), HB 1121 directs the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to update its rules to allow eligible students in CTE programs to work the same number
Thursday, May 08, 2025Tariffs put pressure on small retailers and consumers
Small businesses, comprising 98% of all retailers and supporting over 13 million jobs, are facing increasing challenges due to rising tariffs. These import taxes, which are paid by U.S. companies rather than foreign governments, place significant financial strain on Main Street businesses, including retailers, restaurants, and manufacturers. For small retailers operating on tight margins, tariff-driven cost increases are difficult to absorb. Many are forced to raise prices, directly impacting consumers.
Thursday, May 08, 2025State of freight: Trump tariffs put holiday retail season at risk
The escalating U.S.–China trade conflict is threatening to upend the most important shopping events of the year, from Amazon Prime Day and Fourth of July sales to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. President Trump’s recent hike in tariffs, including a 145% duty on some Chinese imports, has retailers and manufacturers warning of delayed shipments, increased prices, and possible product shortages during peak shopping periods. China has recently signaled a willingness to reopen trade discussions, but with
Thursday, May 08, 2025Seattle City Council could make changes in ethics rules
Following the advice Wayne Barrett, Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (“SEEC”), Councilmember Cathy Moore is considering proposing changes to the City’s ethics rules. According to Barrett, “Last summer we had a couple of bills where we were very much in the middle of political matters of City Hall and that’s not where I think we should be.” The potential rule change would require Councilmembers to fully disclose potential financial interests they might have in legislation
Thursday, May 08, 2025Former SPD Chief of Staff files $3M claim alleging harassment and retaliation
Jamie Tompkins, former Chief of Staff for the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and a former FOX 13 anchor, has filed a $3 million claim against the City of Seattle, alleging persistent sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Hired by then-Chief Adrian Diaz in May 2023, Tompkins resigned in November 2024 following Diaz’s demotion and the launch of an internal investigation into their alleged romantic relationship, an allegation both deny. Tompkins asserts that from the start of her tenure,
Thursday, May 08, 2025WR joins coalition urging Congress to preserve B-SALT deduction
WR has joined a broad coalition of business organizations in urging Congress to preserve the deduction for state and local business taxes, commonly known as the B-SALT deduction. In a recent letter addressed to lawmakers, the coalition warned that limiting or eliminating this deduction would amount to a significant tax increase on businesses of all sizes across the country. The B-SALT deduction allows businesses to deduct mandatory state and local taxes as necessary operating expenses. Proposed changes to
Thursday, May 08, 20252025 Western States ORC Conference set for Seaside, Oregon
The 6th annual Western States Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Conference will take place September 10–12, 2025, bringing together professionals from retail, law enforcement, and government to collaborate on strategies to combat organized retail crime. Held in Seaside, Oregon, the event will feature expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen regional partnerships and prevention efforts. Early bird pricing is available through July 15, 2025, making now a
Thursday, May 08, 2025Register now: 2025 PNWER Annual Summit in Bellevue
The 2025 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit will be held July 20–24 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA. This premier event brings together over 600 leaders from both the U.S. and Canada to collaborate on cross-border solutions in trade, infrastructure, energy, workforce development, and more. WR President & CEO Renée Sunde is among the host committee members helping shape this year’s Summit. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with policymakers, legislators, and
Tuesday, May 06, 2025New law will help Commerce protect people in Washington from lead
OLYMPIA, Wash. – In some parts of Washington, more than one in four housing units might have lead hazards, including lead dust in windows, doors, floors, porches, stairways and cabinets. And compared to six other western states, Washington has the highest percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels. Thanks to legislation signed Tuesday by Governor Bob Ferguson, the state will have a clearer path forward to continue keeping people in Washington safe from lead-based paint and lead dust.Ferguson
Wednesday, April 30, 2025L&I adopts contractor registration fee increases
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has adopted fee increases of 6.41% for the agency’s Contractor Registration Program. About the fee increaseThe Contractor Registration Program needed to increase fees to cover operating expenses. The fee increase is the maximum allowed by the state Office of Financial Management for fiscal year 2026. It is based on the average personal income growth over the past decade. The agency filed a Rulemaking Order (CR-103) on April 22. The adopted
Tuesday, April 29, 2025Statement from Governor Bob Ferguson on 2025 legislative session
OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session: “I want to thank our legislators, staff and my team, for all their hard work this session as we faced a $16 billion budget shortfall. I look forward to carefully reviewing the budgets line by line over the next few weeks. When that review is complete, I will share my thoughts with the public in greater detail. “Beginning with my inaugural address, I’ve emphasized that we must use realistic
Tuesday, April 29, 2025State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s Statement on Washington State Legislature’s Final Operating Bud
OLYMPIA—April 28, 2025—Yesterday, the Legislature concluded the 2025 Legislative Session and passed their final budgets. Despite being faced with a $12 billion shortfall, legislators not only maintained maintenance-level funding in K–12 education—they made crucial investments. Our priority request to the Legislature this year was to increase funding for supports for students with disabilities and to remove the artificial cap on state funding for students with disabilities. Lawmakers did both, bringing our
Thursday, April 24, 2025Webinar series continues for federal workers to learn about Washington benefits and reemployment
OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department, along with state and local partners, continues its webinar series for federal workers who work and live in Washington state. The next webinar is scheduled for April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. See registration details below.Nearly 60 participants attended the first webinar on March 20. The webinars, part of the state’s rapid response efforts for large layoffs, are intended to help federal workers who were laid off, facing a furlough or expecting a workforce
Wednesday, April 23, 2025County unemployment numbers for March 2025 released
OLYMPIA – County unemployment rates and employment data for March 2025 are now available on the Employment Security Department website. Visit the labor force page to view historic and current data about the unemployment rate. To learn more about monthly job gains and losses from payroll data, check out the employment estimates. Please keep in mind: Unemployment rates and employment estimates at the county level are not seasonally adjusted because the sample size is too small to accommodate the
Wednesday, April 16, 2025Washington state unemployment rate holds steady in March at 4.4%
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy decreased by an estimated 5,200 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in March 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.4%. “The unemployment rate stayed steady, and the labor force also maintained relative stability in March. Slowing job growth took a slight turn this month,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist at the Employment Security Department. “March marks the third month in a row of declining employment, marking a trend of job losses in the early
