Jan Teague

President/CEO

360.943.9198, ext. 19

jteague@retailassociation.org

Mark Johnson

Vice President of Government Affairs

360.943.9198, ext. 15

mark.johnson@retailassociation.org

Tammie Hetrick

Vice President of Retail Services (RASI)

360.943.9198, ext. 13

tammie@retailassociationservices.com  

Jim Szymanski

Legislature convenes on Monday

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

The Washington Legislature is readying to convene for a 105-day session beginning on Monday.

The body begins its work with uncertainty in the air over leadership in the Senate. In short, there is a stalemate over whether Senators Ed Murray or Rodney Tom will become majority leader.

Sen. Tom and fellow Senator Tim Sheldon, both Democrats, have announced they will join minority Republicans in a Majority Coalition that plans to control the Senate after session begins. But on paper, Democrats hold a majority 26 seats in the 49-seat Senate, enough to elect Murray majority leader were it not for the new Majority Coalition.

In a recent meeting, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen attempted to bring both parties together to settle the leadership stalemate. It apparently will all get settled out after session begins on Monday. The leadership struggle is far from just an Olympia story. It recently made widespread news in a New York Times report.

We at WRA are hopeful that Senator Tom's Majority Coalition will improve sensitivities to the business community's needs to hold down taxes, strengthen the economy and improve prospects for all retailers.

Washington Retail Association's lobbyists will be combing scores of bills that could wind up affecting retailers. This weekly e-newsletter will include updates on key bills. We also will update the WRA blog on the WRA's website, www.retailassociation.org and a new phone app will soon be introduced for WRA members accessible from the "members' area" tab on the website.

Legislators are expected to spend much of their time figuring out how to increase funding for education in the face of a revenue shortfall ranging in estimates from $900 million to $2.5 billion. The legislature must begin to respond to a state Supreme Court ruling a year ago that the state was failing to meet its constitutional obligations to adequately pay for education.

Where the political parties will disagree is over whether taxing or spending cuts will best address the revenue shortfall and begin to address the education funding issue. 

Anyone interested in joining weekly conference calls on Fridays at 9 a.m. should contact Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs, at mark.johnson@retailassociation.org. 

WRA will make sales tax holiday a top 2013 priority

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

As the Legislature begins its 2013 session on Monday, one of WRA's top priorities will be supporting a bill to create a sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping.

We're excited that based on our work last year, legislators want to learn more about the idea this session.

It would increase revenues to state and local governments, save money for consumers, increase sales for retailers and create new jobs to meet the rush of shoppers who would take advantage of such a break. All of these are crucial outcomes as the state continues to face revenue shortages and as the economy struggles to recover from the recession.

Seventeen other states capture the benefits of a sales tax holiday for back-to-school items. Economists who studied our state tell us higher sales coaxed by the statewide sales tax break would increase economic activity by $113 million, generate $12.6 million in new state and local government revenues and create new jobs for people needed to handle the rush of shoppers typical in similar holidays in other states.

The same economists who studied our state reported that a Florida sales tax holiday boosted state revenues by $7 million, an upward swing of $31 million from what state officials there expected.

The sales tax holiday works because the retail industry is an economic engine in our state. Retail directly and indirectly supports one in four Washington jobs; is directly and indirectly responsible for 17 percent of the state's gross domestic product; and directly and indirectly generates 16 percent of labor income in the state.

Shoppers encouraged by a weekend free of sales taxes can and do make a beneficial economic impact in several other states. It's time that Washington, with its demonstrated need for financial help, approves a bill to bring this exciting benefit to our consumers and economy.

Smith appointed to succeed Bob Morton in state Senate

Republican John Smith has been appointed to succeed Sen. Bob Morton, who served 22 years from the state 7th legislative district.

County commissioners met last week to appoint Smith, 39, a Colville-area farmer, to complete the two remaining years on Morton's term. Morton last year decided to retire.

Smith and wife operate a produce farm and cattle ranch. He has served as vice chairman of the Stevens County Republican Party and is a former president of the Colville Chamber of Commerce. 

WRA joins letter to negotiators to avoid port strike

WRA has joined nearly 100 associations in a letter by the National Retail Federation urging negotiators to continue working toward averting a possible work stoppage at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.

Current talks are scheduled to expire on February 6. Because the U.S. Maritime Alliance and unionized longshore workers have agreed to continue talks past an earlier deadline, deliveries to retailers so far have not been disrupted.

A federal mediator is assisting to avoid any disruption in negotiations. The letter reminds both parties that failure to agree on a new labor contract will harm the U.S. economy and harm both ports and the employees who work there.

The current disagreements surround freight royalty payments and work rules in the New York, New Jersey area.

New rules for brakes sold in the state

Any manufacturers or sellers of vehicle brakes are urged to read a Department of Ecology rule related to new requirements that went into effect the beginning of this year.

In short, brake manufacturers now must report to the state the composition of brakes they sell, particularly whether they include copper. By 2015, any brake they sell in Washington must be certified and not include copper. Retailers will have until 2025 to clear their inventory of brakes containing copper, said Ian Wesley of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program of the Department of Ecology.

In response to questions about how the rule works, Ecology has posted a publication that attempts to answer several questions. Visit Better Brakes Rule to learn more. Visit here for a complete list of reporting requirements to the state.

Wesley also will take questions at 360-407-6747 or at ian.wesley@ecy.wa.gov.

Source: Department of Ecology

L&I updates hazard communication rules

The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health has updated rules regarding hazard communications to be consistent with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard.

The federal standard includes requirements for employers, chemical manufacturers, importers and distributors. The action creates a new state rule to be consistent with OSHA.

Visit  http://www.lni.wa.gov/rules/AO12/26/1226CR105.pdf and http://www.lni.wa.gov/rules/AO12/26/1226Proposal.pdf to read the updates.

Contact Tammie Hetrick, WRA's Vice President of Retail Services, with questions either at 360-943-9198, Ext. 13 or Tammie@retailassociation.org. 

NRF website sorts through health care reform requirements

A National Retail Federation website is a good resource for companies large and small working to plan and comply with expected national health care reforms.

The site explains possible penalties, definitions of employee categories and current concerns in the business community. Visit the site at www.retailmeansjobs.com/healthcare.

NRF to host Feb. 1 webinar on health care reform

This will be a year of preparation by businesses for hundreds of new rules and mandates related to national health care reform scheduled to take effect in 2014.

To help retailers prepare, the National Retail Federation will host a Healthcare Webinar beginning at 11 a.m., West Coast time, on February 1. The event is limited to NRF members.

Neil Trautwein, NRF's Vice President, Employee Benefits Policy Counsel, will review major features of the Affordable Care Act, outline implications for retailers and answer questions.

Meanwhile, retailers can learn more about the law by visiting www.retailmeansjobs.com/healthcare. Click here to register for the webinar.

3Q state retail trade taxes increase 7.3 percent

The latest Department of Revenue report out this week showed a 7.3 percent increase in third quarter retail trade sales taxes.

General merchandise stores, a subset of retail trade, were up 4.7 percent to $2.6 billion, Revenue reported.

Visit here for a detailed breakout of results by city and retail sector. 

WRA offers discounted shipping service

As a WRA member, you could begin saving up to 27 percent on select FedEx shipping services by joining a new shipping service free of charge.

And considering new annual shipping rate increases from major carriers, it's a good time to check out WRA's agreement with PartnerShip, a national freight management company committed to reducing shipping costs particularly for small businesses. For PartnerShip's analysis of recent freight shipping rate increases, click here.

Savings from the new shipping program can, of course, help you to offset the cost of your membership dues.

The program applies both to inbound and outbound shipping, including freight, through an agreement with PartnerShip, a WRA-endorsed shipping management company.

The program is available to all WRA members with no minimum shipping requirements or obligations. Enrolled customers can save up to 27 percent on select FedEx services and at least 70 percent on less-than-truckload freight shipments arranged through PartnerShip.

"The new WRA Shipping Program makes a great addition to our menu of services designed to save our members money," said WRA President/CEO Jan Teague. "This program is clearly advantageous to all WRA members."

To sign up, go to www.PartnerShip.com/99WRA where you can review discounts or submit a free shipping analysis. You can also find answers to questions on the Website, or call 800-599-2902 or e-mail sales@PartnerShip.com. For more information, visit

http://www.retailassociationservices.com/services/discountshipping.html.   

Resolve to join WRA in the New Year

If you're not a member of WRA, there are several reasons you should consider joining in 2013.

If you are a member, perhaps you should tell a business friend who may not be a member to consider joining.

Associations such as WRA across the country do important work to help businesses succeed. Here at WRA we provide a host of valuable services, from keeping members informed about legislation to managing workers' compensation programs and working to save them money on insurance premiums. Our services don't end there, however.

We can offer free legal support and reduced shipping costs, assist in planning safety meetings and keep members up to date with regular newsletters.

The Council of State Retail Associations has produced a short video outlining the advantages of retail association memberships. We encourage you to watch it to help in your consideration of WRA membership.

Click here to watch the video and we hope to welcome you soon as a WRA member. 

Safety tip:(one in a series)

State requires new workplace safety posters

New required safety posters are in the mail to employers around the state.

As of the New Year, injured workers must see a network medical provider for ongoing care. Several answers regarding how the new medical provider network functions are available by following the preceding computer link. Formation of the network resulted from cost-saving reforms approved earlier by the legislature.

Employers covered by Washington's workers' compensation program must post three workplace posters where they are readily visible for employees. They are titled: Notice to Employees - If a Job Injury Occurs; Job Safety and Health Law; and Your Rights as a Worker.

Employers should remove previous editions of the posters because they are outdated. To obtain free posters, click here.

The new posters include updated information on reporting accidents online and by phone; types of qualified health care providers; and where victims of human trafficking can find help.

WRA employs safety advisor Maria Justin who can help members write a safety plan or host a workplace safety visit. WRA members may contact Maria at 360-9643-9198, Ext. 21 or at maria@retailassociationservices.com.