Without a majority caucus or a leader, the House can’t take action. It can’t form committees, create policy, bring bills to a hearing, or pass a state budget. In short, it can’t do any of the work that it has gathered in Juneau to do. Usually this organization happens in November after the election, but neither party in the House has been able to assemble a majority so far.
Zulkosky is hopeful that members will soon form a bi-partisan caucus and organize, now that they’re gathered together in person, but with limitations due to COVID-19 precautions.
Sydney Kurle January 21, 2021
On Monday, the Washington Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee heard testimony on SB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act or (HELSA). The committee heard testimony from around 20 groups about the proposed act. These included labor unions, small business associations, insurance associations and the Washington State Hospital Association.
The Morning Wire: Keeping you informed on politics, policies, and personalities of Washington State.
HELSA is a bill that aims to provide protections for frontline workers during a public health emergency. One of the bill’s main sponsors is the Chair of the Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee, Sen. Karen Keiser.
Lawmaker has strong words for ESD as unemployment bill passes committee January 19, 2021 at 6:23 am
A sign at the headquarters for Washington state s Employment Security Department at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
One Republican senator had strong words for the Employment Security Department during a committee vote on the governor’s unemployment proposal.
The Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs Committee passed the bill, which was written in response to a pandemic-related unemployment crisis that is quickly draining the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund. That fund is filled entirely by unemployment taxes on employers.
Senate Bill 5061 reduces the immediate hike in unemployment taxes for businesses so that the average tax is 38% less than originally calculated, raises the weekly unemployment benefit amount for claimants, and expands unemployment coverage to those who choose not to work because they are high-risk or live
Business groups press Washington Legislature for tax cuts, other COVID-19 relief By Paul Roberts, The Seattle Times
Published: January 17, 2021, 1:23pm
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After surviving 10 months of shutdowns, heavy layoffs, steep losses and chronic uncertainty, many businesses in Washington say they won’t see the end of the pandemic without significant help from state lawmakers.
But one week into the 2021 legislative session, prospects for that relief are anything but clear.
The good news: There’s strong bipartisan support in the Democrat-controlled state House and Senate for quick action on measures such as emergency grants for small business and more than $2.6 billion in cuts for unemployment taxes and other business costs.