NFIB takes fight against tax increases into special session
NFIB/Washington State Director Patrick Connor reports from Olympia on the small-business agenda for the legislative week ending April 28.
Week 1 of the 2017 special session of the Washington State Legislature was largely uneventful, aside from a four-hour public hearing April 26 on a tax bill. NFIB was also invited to attend a bill-signing ceremony earlier in the week.
Tax Bills
Senate Bill 5929 (see also House Bill 2186) – As we previously reported, Sen. Dino Rossi surprised many observers by introducing a Senate version of the House Democrats’ tax bill. More than 100 people signed up to testify when the bill was heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee this week.
NFIB testified against the bill. It also submitted written testimony both explaining our concerns and suggesting amendments to exempt the sale of a small business from the proposed capital gains tax. That letter mirrored the one sent to the House Finance Committee during the regular session.
NFIB thanks its Leadership Council Vice Chairwoman Lois Cook for submitting written testimony explaining the harm this tax package would have on her firm, America’s Phone Guys. It is unclear whether the bill will advance; if it does, it will likely be another effort by the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus to demonstrate a lack of support for a tax increase by defeating it on the Senate floor, as the coalition did at the end of the regular session with other capital gains and B&O tax increase bills.
Crowd Funding
House Bill 1593 – Rep. Brandon Vick asked NFIB to participate in the bill signing ceremony for his legislation simplifying the crowdfunding process for raising capital. NFIB joined the Association of Washington Business and TechNet testifying in support of the bill at Rep. Vick’s request earlier this year, which he mentioned in his press release. In honor of this auspicious occasion, State Director Patrick Connor (second row over Gov. Jay Inslee’s left shoulder) donned an orange tie, Vick’s (to the left of the governor) trademark neckwear.
Previous Reports and Related News Releases, Editorials
April 21 Report—NFIB Victory: Regulatory Fairness Act Signed Into Law
April 7, 14 Report—NFIB Victory: Ban The Box Bills Dead—For Now
March 31 Report—Labor Threat: Paid Family Leave Legislation or Ballot Initiative
March 24 Report—‘Get NFIB on Board’ Orders Senate Committee Chairman
March 17 Report—Legislators Challenged on Their Ban-The-Box Hypocrisy
March 10 Report—Major Legislative Deadline Passes in Olympia
March 3 Report—NFIB Agenda Bills Passing by Big Margins in Olympia
February 24 Report—Key NFIB Legislative Bills Advancing in Olympia
February 22 Editorial—Good News Can Come Out of Olympia
February 17 Report—NFIB Making Long Strides in Regulatory Reform
February 16 News Release—Small Business Seeking to Toss I-1433
February 16 News Release—New Poll Shines Light on Big Small-Business Headache
February 10 Report—NFIB Only Business Group to Testify for Right to Work
February 3 Report—Competing Employer Mandates Take Center Stage
January 27 Report—Small Business Bill of Rights Inventory Legislation Advances
January 20 Report—Bill Introductions Begin in Earnest in Olympia
January 13 Report—Opening of Legislative Session Sees NFIB Charging Ahead
