Downtowns serve as the beating heart of cities, defining their image and economic activity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the usual hustle and bustle, leading to declining retail activity and office space vacancies. As communities adapt to this “new normal,” they recognize the need for successful strategies to revitalize their downtowns. One key solution lies in enhancing public spaces.
Note: This blog post is based on the article “The Importance of Public Space to Downtown Revitalization” from MRSC Insight, April 2024.
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In the dynamic landscape of local politics, the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce stands as a beacon of unbiased business advocacy. While we maintain a steadfast policy of not endorsing political candidates, we recognize the importance of informed voting for the prosperity of our community.
To bridge this gap, we collaborate with partners who assess candidates and offer recommendations based on a thorough understanding of business impacts. Among these partners, the Association of Washington Businesses shines as a key contributor. You can review the entire list of AWB recommendations on their 2024 Elections page, here. Not every race will have an endorsement based on a candidates vote record or Association interview. For the legislative races in Benton and Franklin Counties here are the AWB recommendation. 8th Legislative District
We depend on the expertise of the Association of Washington Businesses to guide our members and the broader community in making well-considered electoral decisions. To learn more about these candidates please review out Vote for Business Guide. We asked each candidate to complete a short questionnaire and we have published their answers here. Be informed and make sure you vote by August 6th. Some State lawmakers in Washington are exploring a new revenue option to address transportation challenges: a “retail delivery fee” on online purchases. As maintenance costs rise and gas tax collections decline, this proposal aims to generate funds for maintaining city and county roads.
The proposal under consideration could range from $.25 to $.75 per delivery charge and would be collected during the online checkout process. It is estimated that a $.30 fee could generate about $112 million annual in tax revenue. Currently, Colorado and Minnesota have retail delivery fees, resulting in $79.5 million and $59 million in tax revenue. certain limits and restrictions apply to the fees charged in these states. Critics argue that this fee effectively increases the state sales tax, potentially impacting consumer prices and taxes. Policymakers will need to assess the impact on low-income households and ensure fairness. They will also need to consider the State’s administrative costs associated with implementing and collecting the fee. This proposal is still under study, but it is something to keep an eye out for. A similar $5 delivery fee implemented in Seattle, caused a 30% drop in food delivery order volumes and devastated local restaurants. What do you think? Stay tuned for more information. The Washington APEX Accelerator, formerly known as the Washington PTAC, provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance to Washington State businesses. Its mission is to help businesses thrive in the government-contracting marketplace by increasing the number of government contracts awarded to local firms. Services include bid reviews, marketing assistance, contract performance guidance, and small business certifications. This program is part of a nationwide network that supports businesses pursuing and performing under contracts with federal agencies, state and local governments, and government prime contractors. We need on your support to safeguard the Washington APEX Accelerator program. Unfortunately, the House has suggested a 60% reduction in funding through the FY2025 Defense Appropriations Bill. This program plays a vital role in our economic development initiatives, enabling businesses like yours to secure defense contracts and foster growth. Please take a moment to contact your Congressional delegation and let them know that the you support the Washington Accelerator program and urge them to continue funding this important business development program. Contact Your Representatives https://buff.ly/2ITsIOM Senator Murray https://buff.ly/4b8JZzi Senator Cantwell https://buff.ly/4eqjFnd Thank you for your support and action on this important program.
Ballots will come out next week for the August 6, 2024, Primary election. There are 26 offices (not including judicial) up for reelection this year. The Tri-Regional Chamber of Commerce reached out to the candidates running for 14 different races that directly influence the Tri-City region.
We sent out a simple 4 question survey to each of the 37 candidates seeking to fill those positions. We sent surveys to the candidates running in the following races:
We just released the survey results in our 2024 Vote for Business guide. The 2024 Vote for Business guide is the only business-focused voter’s guide in the region. Our goal with the Vote for Business Guide is to help inform our members and the business community on candidate positions on local business priorities. Responses are unedited, presented in alphabetical order, and any response exceeding the 130-word limit has been truncated. If a candidate chose not to submit a response, it is noted on their profile. You can access the 2024 Vote for Business guide here. Washington State has recently enacted SHB 1355 to expand property tax exemptions for seniors, individuals retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities. Here are the key points:
2. Income Thresholds: The income thresholds have increased this year, allowing more Washingtonians to qualify for the exemption. However, the specific income limits depend on your county’s median household income. There are three levels of eligibility depending on your final calculated combined disposable income. You can apply for the property tax exemption through your counties assessor’s office. The new law increases the current thresholds, and it provides for future increases based on the most recent County Median Household Income level. You can find another great resource here on other property tax exemptions. In summary, these changes aim to provide additional property tax relief to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and veterans in Washington State. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] The WA Cares Fund is a mandatory long-term care insurance benefit for workers in Washington State. Its purpose is to help offset eligible long-term care expenses. Workers contribute a small percentage of their income into the fund through a mandatory payroll tax. The earned benefit can be up to $36,500 (adjusted for inflation) and covers professional care, equipment, home safety evaluations, and family caregiver compensation. The WA Cares Fund has faced controversy and criticism for several reasons. Critics argue that the $36,500 benefit is too small to be meaningful for long-term care expenses. Additionally, there are concerns about eligibility restrictions—people who pay the tax won’t receive the benefit if they move out of Washington when they need assistance. Furthermore, opponents have questioned the program’s solvency, especially since a significant number of workers opted out of participation. Despite these criticisms, proponents see WA Cares as a step toward supporting family caregivers and addressing long-term care needs in the state. Initiative 2124 will come before Washington State voters in November, and they will be given the opportunity to decide the fate of the fund. The measure proposes that employees and self-employed individuals must actively choose to retain coverage under RCW 50B.04, with the option to opt out at any time. Additionally, it seeks to repeal an existing law related to exemptions for employees. The initiative aims to provide consumer choice regarding long-term care insurance and addresses concerns about affordability, adequacy, and solvency of the current program. Regardless of your thoughts on the program, employers in Washington state have a responsibility that involves correctly implementing payroll deductions for the Washington Cares Fund. Starting from July 1, 2023, employers were required to collect premiums from Washington employees in the same manner as they currently do for Paid Leave. Employers are not required to contribute separately to the WA Cares Fund, but they must remit employees’ premiums to the Employment Security Department. Thankfully there are many resources available from the Employment Security Department to help business owners navigate the process. Business owners can access a library of webinars at www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/webinars. One can view old videos and sign up for upcoming live webinars. There is also a dedicated webpage with Toolkits and Resources at https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/toolkit#resources-for-employers. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] Thanks to everyone who came out to Business After Hours at Elijah Family Homes on Thursday, June 13! We hope you had a wonderful time and made some fruitful new business connections. Washington state has some of the most generous unemployment benefits in the country. There are currently 10 different reasons you may leave your job and still qualify for unemployment benefits. These 10 reasons include:
In 2013, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1106, adding additional circumstances to the list. The Employment Security Department is currently working on establishing rules for the implementation of this bill. The current focus of the rulemaking process is on "split shifts" and ensuring that reasons such as lack of childcare or caring for a vulnerable adult are included. Employment Security Department has filed a proposed rulemaking, which includes details on the public hearing scheduled for July 11, 2024. You can also send any comments or suggestions regarding the rulemaking to [email protected]. AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted in 2021 and effective from January 1, 2024, is a federal law that aims to combat illicit activities such as money laundering, terrorism financing, tax fraud, and other misconduct through business entities. It does so by requiring certain U.S. businesses to report information about their beneficial owners and controlling persons. Under the CTA, entities deemed to be “Reporting Companies” are required to report. A “Reporting Company” under the CTA is defined as any company that is created by filing a document with a governmental agency (including a federally recognized Indian Tribe), such as a corporation, a limited liability company, or a limited partnership; or a foreign-formed entity that is registered or registers to do business in the United States. Not all entities are considered “Reporting Companies”. The CTA generally applies to smaller and medium-sized legal entities, including shell companies. These are entities that:
The penalties for not complying with the CTA are quite severe. They include both civil and criminal penalties:
The impact of the CTA on small businesses across the United States is significant. It imposes broad ownership disclosure obligations on any entity formed or doing business in the United States. Recently, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama held the CTA to be unconstitutional as a matter of law on March 1, 2024. This case will undoubtedly be appealed. As a result, the CTA remains in full effect except as to members of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) and possibly reporting companies in the Northern District of Alabama. Stay tuned for more information. Reference: Business Law Today , US Chamber of Commerce AuthorMatt Murphy, TCRCC Government and Regional Affairs Director, [email protected] |
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