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Legislative Session Updates: State of the Region

Legislative Session Updates: State of the Region

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Legislative Session Updates: State of the Region

WA CARES FUND DELAYED UNTIL 2023
 
Last night, the State Senate passed legislation to delay, by 18 months, implementation of the Long-Term Care program in Washington State. This afternoon, Governor Inslee signed the bills into law, including an emergency clause so that the law takes effect immediately.
 
The legislation delays requirements to collect the 0.58% payroll tax to fund the program – that payroll tax went into effect on January 1, 2022 – and employers have been in limbo this past month on the requirement. 
 
This legislation clarifies that any tax collected from employees can be returned; and that the program is delayed until July 2023. 
 
 
SENATOR HAWKINS BILL 5868
 
At the outset of the session, Senator Brad Hawkins introduced legislation to allow a diversion of local lodging tax revenues from tourism promotion to affordable housing. The proposal was championed by Leavenworth City leaders in response to the ongoing shortage of affordable housing. 
 
After alerting Senator Hawkins to the WVCC’s concerns, Senator Hawkins worked closely with Chelan County Commissioners and the WVCC to develop an alternative proposal that will provide authority to use rural economic development funds generated by the $0.09 sales tax program, toward affordable housing. 
 
The new proposal had a hearing in the Senate Housing and Local Government Committee on Tuesday morning, and passed from Committee unanimously on Thursday. There is a long journey ahead for this legislation, but this is a welcome start. Kudos to Senator Hawkins for pivoting so quickly, and to Chelan County for working so hard on the proposal.
 
 
 
STATE OF THE REGION
 
State of the Counties - Online Event
Wednesday, February 16th
8 AM - 9 AM
 
Grab a cup of coffee and join us virtually for a conversation with Chelan and Douglas County Commissioners on the State of the Region from a County Commissioner perspective.
REGISTER HERE
 
State of the Cities - Online Event
Wednesday, February 23rd
8 AM - 9 AM
 
Grab a cup of coffee and join us virtually for a conversation with City of East Wenatchee Mayor Jerrilea Crawford and City of Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz on the State of the Region from a Mayoral perspective.
REGISTER HERE
 

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