Washington Business Fall 2016 | Legislative Review | Page 7
introduction
‘No News’ is Good News
for Washington’s Employers
Gary Chandler
AWB Vice President, Government Affairs
Balanced government has proven to be a positive for employers around the state. Controversial policies could not
gain traction and a massive tax hike House Democrats proposed on employers and families was sidelined. This
reality makes for a 2016 voting record that is reflective of the bipartisan results this year, but not wholly reflective
of lawmaker’s lifetime support, or lack thereof, for employer-friendly issues.
Despite yet another special session, this year was mostly
On the Senate side, it was clear that new and higher
uneventful in the Washington Legislature.
taxes would not garner support, which is why money
Some of that is due to the fact that we have a balanced
was moved around instead and the budget was balanced
government — Democratic majority in the House and a
and passed with a bipartisan vote and signed by our
bipartisan coalition majority in the Senate — and the numbers
Democratic governor. Some of the spending moves, such
are close. This makes it hard to get anything controversial
as pulling funds from the Public Works Trust Fund,
out of either side of the rotunda. Couple that delicate balance
unfortunately sets us up for future budget shortfalls that
with an election year that could swing both chambers either
we’ll hear about next session. But, it was the deal that was
way and a governor’s race that is more competitive than
struck to finally close-out a session that should have ended
some thought it would be, and nothing — including the
on-time or early.
House Democrats’ proposed tax hikes — was getting out of
Investing in K-12 education was one truly bright spot in
either chamber that could sway voters this November.
the last two budgets. During the Gregoire administration,
In all, that’s a good thing.
which saw record spending increases, Democratic control
But it also makes scoring legislators in this voting record
over both chambers plus the governor’s mansion yielded
difficult. That’s why it’s important for readers to look at each
little, if any, results for school funding. However, since
member’s 2016 vote percentage as only a snapshot in time.
2013 when the Legislature was divided, lawmakers have
A legislator’s lifetime voting percentage is really the most
increased basic education spending at historic levels —
accurate representation of how they support business issues
$4.5 billion, or 33 percent.
year-over-year. The truth is, when one party rules, the voting
Additionally, lawmakers committed funding for college
record typically shows a stark contrast in policy decisions.
tuition reductions in the 2015-16 budget. This is a great
But with bipartisan agreements ruling the day on budgets,
move for college students and has garnered Washington
taxes and policies, this year, like last, proved uneventful.
state national recognition.
That isn’t to say nothing controversial came up. The
While employers managed to get out of the 2016
governor’s supplemental budget proposal in December set
legislative session with relative ease, 2017 has a lot
the high water mark for proposed tax hikes, but that was
in store for business. The education funding debate will,
just the start of negotiations. The biggest disappointment
as it has for years, circle back to higher taxes on employ-
was a proposed House Democratic budget that relied
ers and families. Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court is
on a massive tax hike on employers in order to balance.
watching closely to ensure the state fulfills its constitu-
Democrats managed to pass their budget with just 50 votes,
tional duty to fully and equitably fund K-12 basic education
but were unable to cobble together the votes for their tax
by the 2018 deadline.
package. So their budget was incomplete and out of balance,
All that to say, AWB’s 2017 voting record could tell a
which is why it is not counted in AWB’s vote record.
very different story.
special edition 2016
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