Key Issues for Employers: Unemployment Insurance

AWB needs your help in opposing move to increase UI taxes

As lawmakers consider the governor's proposal to temporarily cap the rising cost of unemployment insurance, AWB staff and members are warning against a move driven by labor unions to couple short-term relief with expanded benefits that will drive up costs in the long run. "You can't give a tax cut on one side and increase benefits on the other side and expect it to be a wash," AWB's Donna Steward testified last Monday at the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee hearing on SB 5135, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle.

Unfortunately, over in the House, the governor's bill (HB 1091, sponsored by Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett) —which started out as positive news for private employers who need relief from ever-increasing unemployment insurance rates — transformed into a very different bill by the time it passed out of the House Commerce and Labor Committee on Friday. Thanks to union-supported amendments, the bill would now substantially increase UI taxes on employers. This is unacceptable, and AWB will strongly oppose such job-killing legislation. And we need your help!

Contact AWB's Donna Steward today and share your story about how rising UI rates are impacting your business. In particular, please identify how many layoffs you have had — this will allow us to share with lawmakers how much the dependent allowance will increase your rates.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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