Part 2: Is WEIA Funding Being Used as Intended?
In Part 1 of this series, we explained that WEIA was established to support education, training, and career pathways. The goal was to help more Washington residents gain the skills needed for good jobs and to help employers find qualified workers.

The concern is that WEIA may not always be used as intended. This doesn't mean the money has been spent illegally. A more accurate concern is that some WEIA funds might replace existing higher education funding rather than add new investment in workforce education.

This is the difference between “supplementing” and “supplanting.” Supplementing means adding new money on top of what the state already spends. Supplanting means replacing one funding source with another. WEIA was generally intended to supplement higher education funding, not merely to backfill the regular state budget.

This issue became more apparent in the 2025-2027 state operating budget. That budget allowed WEIA funds to replace other higher education funding during that period. Even if that is legal under the budget language, it raises an important policy question: is WEIA expanding workforce education, or is it helping balance the broader state budget?

One significant example involved the University of Washington. According to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, the 2025-2027 budget reallocated $400 million from General Fund-State support to WEIA for UW's general operations. The Board called this a concerning precedent because it moved WEIA further toward general higher education support rather than targeted workforce investment.

At the same time, not all WEIA spending is questionable. The account still funds programs that fulfill its purpose, including the Washington College Grant, high-demand degree programs, Guided Pathways, student basic needs, College in the High School, and other student supports. These initiatives can help students earn credentials and transition into the workforce.

The concern isn’t whether WEIA supports education; it does. The real question is whether it’s funding new workforce investment or simply covering more of the usual higher-education budget.

Part 2 explains why the use of WEIA has become a significant policy issue. Part 3 will clarify why accountability is important and what businesses need to monitor.
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Coming next in Part 3: We will focus on results, transparency, and ways WEIA can better serve employers, students, and communities such as the Tri-Cities.

Washington State Legislature, RCW 43.79.195, Workforce Education Investment Account
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.79.195
Washington State Legislature, RCW 82.04.299, Workforce Education Investment Surcharge
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=82.04.299
Washington State Department of Revenue, Workforce Education and Select Advanced Computing Businesses
https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/business-occupation-tax/workforce-education/select-advanced-computing-businesses
Washington Student Achievement Council, Washington College Grant and Workforce Education Investment Act Information
https://wsac.wa.gov/wcg
Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, 2025 Legislative Report
https://wsac.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-WEIAOB.Legislative.Report.pdf
Washington State Legislature, 2025 House Bill Report on ESHB 2081
https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Htm/Bill%20Reports/House/2081-S.E%20HBR%20PL%2025.htm

This article was written with contributions from AI to organize the information and improve its readability.​

We had a fantastic time last night at Abadan's business after hours and annual printer smash! 

The Workforce Education Investment Account, often called WEIA, plays a vital role in Washington’s education and workforce funding system. It was established to help more people access higher education, job training, financial aid, and career-connected learning.

This topic is complex because it involves state budgets, business taxes, higher education funding, and questions about how the money is being used. To make it easier to understand, this three-part series breaks the issue into smaller parts.

Part 1 explains what WEIA is and why it matters to businesses. Part 2 examines concerns about whether WEIA is being used as originally intended. Part 3 emphasizes accountability and explains why results matter for employers, students, and communities like the Tri-Cities.

​Washington employers face a long-term challenge: finding enough trained workers to fill available jobs. The Workforce Education Investment Account, or WEIA, was created to help address this issue by supporting higher education, financial aid, apprenticeships, and workforce training.

WEIA is a dedicated state account for education and training beyond high school. The funds can support colleges, universities, student aid, workforce programs, and career-connected learning. In simple terms, the account is designed to help more people earn degrees, certificates, apprenticeships, and other credentials that lead to good jobs.

This matters to businesses because workforce shortages hinder growth. When employers struggle to find qualified workers, it becomes more difficult to expand, serve customers, complete projects, or stay competitive. A stronger education and training system can help build a larger talent pipeline for industries like health care, construction, manufacturing, clean energy, agriculture, technology, and professional services.

In the Tri-Cities, this issue is especially critical. Local employers need skilled workers in energy, agriculture, health care, construction, advanced manufacturing, research, transportation, and public infrastructure. State workforce investments should help connect students and workers to these real job opportunities.

WEIA is partially funded through Washington’s business tax system. One key funding source is a surcharge on certain large advanced computing companies. This does not affect most small or midsized local businesses, but it still matters because it demonstrates how the state uses business-related tax policies to support workforce education.

The main question is whether WEIA is providing new value. If the account offers more training options, stronger student support, and better links between education and employers, it can help fill workforce shortages. If it simply replaces other state funding, its value becomes less certain.

WEIA should be judged by results. For businesses, the goal is clear: more trained workers, more completed credentials, and stronger pathways into family-wage jobs.
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Next in Part 2: We will explore concerns that WEIA might be replacing existing higher education funding rather than adding new workforce investment.

Washington State Legislature, RCW 43.79.195, Workforce Education Investment Account
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.79.195
Washington State Legislature, RCW 82.04.299, Workforce Education Investment Surcharge
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=82.04.299
Washington State Department of Revenue, Workforce Education and Select Advanced Computing Businesses
https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/business-occupation-tax/workforce-education/select-advanced-computing-businesses
Washington Student Achievement Council, Washington College Grant and Workforce Education Investment Act Information
https://wsac.wa.gov/wcg
Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, 2025 Legislative Report
https://wsac.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-WEIAOB.Legislative.Report.pdf
Washington State Legislature, 2025 House Bill Report on ESHB 2081
https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Htm/Bill%20Reports/House/2081-S.E%20HBR%20PL%2025.htm
​This article was written with contributions from AI to organize the information and improve its readability.

Congratulations to Stark Designs on their ribbon cutting yesterday! We loved celebrating this milestone with you. Wishing the Stark Designs team all the best as they continue to grow in the Tri-Cities community!

Washington communities are being asked to weigh in on new state guidance that could shape how cities plan housing, businesses, transportation, and other development near major transit stations. The Washington State Department of Commerce has released a draft Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook and is accepting public comments through September 30, 2026.

Transit-oriented development, often called TOD, focuses on creating communities where housing, jobs, services, and businesses are located near major public transportation hubs. Under Washington law, certain cities must update their land use rules around light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit stations. The new Commerce guidebook is intended to help those cities understand and implement these requirements.

The requirements currently apply to Spokane and Vancouver, as well as to certain cities in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties that have qualifying rail or bus rapid transit stations. Counties are not required to establish station-area plans, though they may choose to participate. Federally recognized tribes may also choose to participate in a city's planning process.

The draft guidebook covers several aspects of the planning process. It explains how cities can define transit station areas, assess current development conditions, and update local development codes. It also provides guidance on permitting, impact fees, infrastructure funding, and methods for measuring the effectiveness of transit-oriented development policies. Other sections address community involvement, transportation choices, development design, and strategies to reduce displacement.

For businesses, developers, property owners, and employers, these policies are worth watching because changes to land-use and development rules can influence where housing and commercial development occur, which types of projects can be built, and how quickly projects move through local permitting systems. Transit-oriented development can also affect employees' access to jobs, transportation options, neighborhood growth, infrastructure needs, and future private investment.

Commerce will host a webinar on the draft guidebook at 1:30 p.m. on September 10, 2026. Public comments on the draft must be submitted by September 30. This webinar offers businesses, developers, local governments, community organizations, and other interested parties an opportunity to review the proposed guidance before it is finalized.

As Washington continues to address housing supply, transportation, and community growth, decisions about development near major transit corridors could have long-term effects on local economies. Even businesses outside the communities currently covered by the requirements may want to follow the process, since transit-oriented development policies could influence future conversations about growth and land use in other parts of the state.

Readers interested in the complete proposal, the draft guidebook, webinar details, or the public comment process can review the original Washington State Department of Commerce announcement at: Public Comment Opportunity: Draft Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook

Rules aim to protect workers, consumers, and the environment, but too many overlapping requirements can hinder business growth. A new study funded by the Association of Washington Business ranks Washington as the eighth-most regulated state, with over 200,000 state regulatory restrictions and roughly 1.3 million combined state and federal restrictions. The study shows that this overall burden leads to higher costs and more challenges, especially for small and mid-sized employers. (Tri-Cities Business News)

The study shows that over half of Washington’s regulatory requirements may be unnecessary or redundant paperwork. Compliance costs can divert funds and staff from hiring, training, equipment, expansion, and innovation. Businesses might also pass some of these costs to consumers through higher prices. These issues are especially important for Tri-Cities employers in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy, which the study identifies as sectors under significant regulatory pressure.

This report does not oppose reasonable safeguards. Its goal is to promote better regulation that is clear, proportional, and accountable while still delivering public benefits. Its economic estimates are scenarios, not precise forecasts, but they raise important questions about whether Washington can simplify overlapping rules, improve permitting processes, and reduce compliance costs without weakening essential protections. Business and community leaders are encouraged to review the study and take part in future regulatory reform discussions.

Read the full article: “New Study: Washington Among Most Regulated States, With Measurable Economic Costs”
https://www.awb.org/new-study-washington-among-most-regulated-states-with-measurable-economic-costs/

​Yesterday, we were honored to welcome Congressman Dan Newhouse to our Annual Congressional Update Luncheon for what marked a bittersweet occasion — his final update with the Tri-City Regional Chamber as Washington's 4th District representative. Congressman Newhouse has been a consistent voice for Central Washington and the Tri-Cities throughout his time in Congress, and we are grateful for his years of engagement with our business community. Thank you, Congressman Newhouse, for your service and for making time for us one last time.

An internship is a short-term, organized work experience that helps a student or early-career worker learn about a job, company, or industry. A good internship provides the intern with real workplace experience, clear learning objectives, regular supervision, and feedback.

An internship should benefit both the student and the company. The student should gain new skills, learn how the workplace functions, and explore potential career options. The company can obtain valuable project support while also building a pipeline of future talent.

An internship is not unpaid labor, cheap labor, or a substitute for regular employees. If a business only needs someone to handle routine tasks, fill staffing gaps, or do the same work as paid employees, then it’s not truly an internship. Instead, it’s more like a temporary or entry-level job.

An internship isn't just busywork. Tasks like filing, errands, copying, or basic data entry might happen occasionally, but they shouldn't be the primary focus. Interns should be assigned meaningful work that helps them learn and provides value to the company in return.

Internships differ from job shadowing, tours, and career fairs. Job shadowing allows students to observe and learn. Career fairs and tours help students explore different options. Internships go further because students actively engage in real work, complete assignments, and receive feedback over a longer period.

Internships differ from apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are usually longer, more formal, and centered on training for a specific career or trade. Internships are typically shorter and often allow students to explore an industry, develop skills, and determine if a particular career path is right for them.

The best way to understand the difference is this: career exploration helps students see what work is like, internships allow students to try out work, and apprenticeships train students for work.
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A successful internship doesn't have to be complicated. It should be thoughtfully planned. Employers need to set clear expectations, assign meaningful tasks, provide a supervisor, hold regular check-ins, and offer the intern learning opportunities. When done well, an internship can help students grow and assist businesses in finding and developing future workers.

Thanks to everyone who made it out for Cedar & Sage's groundbreaking ceremony yesterday! You can find the project at 10445-10801 Burns Rd, Pasco, WA 99301.

We had a great time at yesterday's ask the experts with Cindy Goulet and Jon Sortland! Thank you all for coming, and we hope to see you again for our next one.