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Dispute in Olympia over claim of $1.1 billion in potential unemployment fraud By Paul Roberts and Jim Brunner, Paul Roberts and Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times Published: April 14, 2021, 8:19am Share: Washington’s unemployment agency was “wholly unprepared” to prevent or even detect a massive criminal fraud scheme that stole more than $640 million amid a surge in jobless claims last year, a new investigation has concluded. While most of last spring’s fraud has been tied to foreign cybercriminals, one state employee is under criminal investigation for “potential misappropriation” of an undisclosed amount of unemployment benefits, according to reports released Tuesday by the state Auditor’s Office. ....
Washington businesses still feeling unemployment tax pain - new bill promises help mynorthwest.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mynorthwest.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Agricultural workers in Washington state would become eligible for overtime pay under a bill moving through the Legislature in Olympia. Somewhat surprisingly, the bill enjoys bipartisan support and even has the backing of farm employers who say it will bring a level of certainty to their labor costs. Farmworkers have been exempted from overtime pay since 1938, although some states such as California and New York have extended those protections in recent years. “This bill corrects a historic injustice,” said state Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines. “Most workers in America can take the 40-hour workweek for granted, but for decades, agricultural workers have not been eligible for overtime pay.” ....
After the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in favor of overtime for dairy workers last fall, fruit growers and farmers perhaps saw the writing on the wall. Senate Bill (SB) 5172 was actually sponsored by Senator Curtis King (R) of Yakima, and this week it passed by a vote of 37-12. That s rather surprising, but it s due more to an eye towards litigation down the road. The bill will allow a stepped multi year approach to granting overtime to agricultural and farm field workers. Starting January 2022, the level for overtime would start after 55 hours a week, then in 2023 48, then over 40 by 2024. ....