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

It's a big week for retailers in the Legislature

Retailers across the state are keeping a close eye on the Legislature this month.

Their hope is the Legislature will take the historic step of approving a sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping later this year. The Senate's Committee on Trade and Economic Development tomorrow will hear one of the bills our association is backing to make that holiday a reality. A House committee heard a companion bill earlier this month.

An impressive bi-partisan group of 45 legislators has lined up to support these bills. They know what retailers know: shoppers love a tax break and enthusiastically respond at the cash register. But the impact goes deeper. Retailers who energetically promote these sales in other states typically drop their prices on much more merchandise that doesn't qualify for a tax break, and government revenues increase from those sales as well.

The true impacts are deeper still. Retailers need to hire people who may desperately need work to help deal with the volume of shoppers who come to take advantage of the lower prices. In some case, retailers looking to make new hires keep on a certain percentage of the people they hire in advance of the sale. Ideally, someone on the unemployment rolls gets a chance to get off that list.

We retailers are confident that shoppers on the sidelines will come through with the same enthusiasm in Washington State as they show in several other states across the nation where tax holidays are allowed.

Consumers could use the incentive, the state could use the additional revenue, and thousands of people still looking for work across the state could use a job opportunity that could turn into a permanent paycheck.

We hope our enthusiasm will rub off on legislators and encourage them to vote for this winning idea!

Beer and wine tasting is good for the state

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

With the passage of Initiative 1183, the alcoholic beverage landscape has changed.  There's more sales competition, more selection and a greater emphasis on customer service and convenience.  These bills will help retail establishments that offer beer and wine to allow consumers to sample their products before making a purchase.  This is already done in wine specialty shops and other venues. 

At the hearing, it was mentioned that Washington products in particular will be featured, thus generating more sorely needed tax revenues for our state and local governments. 

These bills also make it easier for the Liquor Control Board to issue tasting licenses, which will save the board money. Consumers will win by becoming better informed purchasers, local wineries and breweries will increase sales, tax revenues will increase while state expenses will go down, and many retailers will have a new opportunity to better serve their customers.

WRA encourages the legislature to act favorably on SB 5517 and HB 1422.

WRA urges a hearing on House Retro bill

The Senate already has passed a similar bill, SB 5112.

Tammie Hetrick, WRA's Vice President of Retail Services, said the House bill is critical to improve quality and productivity by processing injury claims more efficiently and reducing delays currently in the system.

Backlogs in Labor & Industries currently are delaying medical exams necessary to help injured workers return to the job and determine necessary treatment options.

"The House bill presents an opportunity to improve and expedite the process," Hetrick said. "It will reduce burdens on businesses and Labor and Industries so that workers can return to their jobs sooner."

The House bill would guarantee L&I complete oversight over Retro scheduling and rule making authority, Hetrick said. 

Day 31 of the 2013 session

It would create an August sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping starting this year. A study shows a holiday would encourage sufficient shopping to boost government revenues, create jobs and increase revenues to stores.

As legislators complete the first third of their schedule, WRA has identified more than 200 bills that could have a bearing on various aspects of retail operations. Among them are reform bills to identify savings in the state workers' compensation system.

Here are highlights of other key bills on WRA's radar to date:

*HB1273, which WRA opposes, would eliminate the non-resident sales tax exemption. Retailers operating next to states with lower sales taxes need this break to survive. Removing it would hurt the fragile economy by eliminating jobs and closing more stores.

*HB 1457 would expand unfunded state paid family leave, while HB 1313 would adopt Seattle's mandatory paid sick and safe leave statewide. WRA is urging legislators to repeal the unfunded program while defeating the expensive and counterproductive practice of allowing unexplained paid leave to employees.

*In hearings this week, WRA will oppose initiatives 522 (GMO labeling) and 517 (signature gathering). The former would confuse consumers and increase prices while the later would infringe on retailers' property rights. WRA expects these items to be on a fall ballot.

*HB 1422 and SB 5517 would expand beer and wine tasting options in larger retail stores. Current prospects for these bills are encouraging.

WRA on KING 5 in support of "flash rob" bill

The crimes involve robbers who organized through social media before showing up at a store to rob it all at once. Teague commented on the need for the bill during a television report last week. In case you missed it, go to KING 5 to watch the report.

Source: KING 5 TV

WRA presents members with new free webinars this year

WRA, in cooperation with the Council of State Retail Associations, will again present a series of free educational webinars this spring and early summer. For the first time this year, the Retail University webinars will be hosted twice the same day to be more convenient for participants.

The webinars are presented free as a benefit of WRA membership. Please click on the links to register.

This year's topics are:

*What retailers must know about health care reform, on March 12 - 6:30 a.m. MT / 5:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 1) or 9:30 a.m. MT / 8:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 2)

*Intro to Social and Mobile Media Marketing, on April 24 - 6:30 a.m. MT / 5:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 1) or 9:30 a.m. MT / 8:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 2)

*How small retailers can recognize and prevent shoplifting, on May 21 - 6:30 a.m. MT / 5:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 1) or 9:30 a.m. MT / 8:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 2)

*Intermediate Mobile and Social Media Marketing, on June 27 - 6:30 a.m. MT / 5:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 1) or  9:30 a.m. MT / 8:30 a.m. PT (Webinar 2).

The format will include 30-45 minute presentations with available time for questions. Participants can listen only by phone, but a computer will be required to see the complete presentation and to ask questions.

Please contact Jan Teague, WRA's President/CEO, if you have questions at 360-943-9198, Ext. 19 or a jteague@retailassociation.org.

State retail tax payments continue to increase

The latest state report shows that monthly tax payments in the retail trade sector were up 7.7 percent this year compared to the Jan. 11 to Feb. 10 period a year ago.

Food and beverage stores led the way with a 27.4 percent increase, due largely to the newly allowed private sale of spirits, the Economic Revenue Forecast Council reported.

Other retail sectors showing gains were:

*Sporting goods, toys and music stores, up 9.1 percent

*Apparel and accessories, up 7.5 percent

*Building materials and garden supplies, up 5.7 percent.

Three retail categories showed declines in year-to-year tax payments including electronics and appliances, down 4.2 percent; miscellaneous retailers, down 1.9 percent, and gas stations and convenience stores, down 0.7 percent.

The report also highlights the recovering real estate market and declining unemployment rate, from 9 percent in 2011 to 7.9 percent in January this year.

Revenues to the state General Fund for the monthly review period were $8.4 million lower than a November forecast, a drop of 0.6 percent.

Despite increasing retail revenues, due to the levels of state spending, legislators in the 2013 begin their budget making process facing a $2.8 billion revenue shortfall.

Visit report to read the ERFC's latest revenue results.

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.

Oregon promotes no sales taxes in commercial, video

Legislators who will vote on WRA-backed bills this session to waive or contain sales taxes should watch a commercial that has been airing in Washington by Travel Portland.

The 15-second commercial that recently has been on major Washington tv stations encourages visitors to shop in Oregon because it doesn't have a sales tax. Tourism promoters in Oregon know the same reality as WRA: lack of a sales tax is an incentive to stretch budgets and to shop.

WRA supports HB 1329 and SB 5529 that would allow a sales tax holiday weekend starting this year for back-to-school items. A study shows it would raise government revenues by encouraging shoppers to buy other items on which there is a sales tax.

WRA opposes HB 1273, which would repeal the sales tax exemption for out-of-state residents. This tax break has proven to be an effective incentive for Oregon residents to shop across the Columbia River if they work in Vancouver, and similarly for Spokane retailers.

Sources: You Tube, Washington Legislature

WRA shipping service redesigns, improves websites

Our national partner, PartnerShip, unveiled a new company website and an improved, separate shipping website.

The new company website includes new content, live chat, an employee directory and the ability to buy discounted shipping supplies. The new shipping site has streamlined the enrollment process.

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.

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

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."

New report explores state school funding

A report released this month by The Washington Research Council shows how Washington compares with nine other states regarding funding for schools.

The 27-page report offers context for the Legislature's debate this year to address the McCleary court decision's finding that the state is not adequately funding schools. It compares Washington's performance to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia.

The report examines how Washington pays for schools, compares outcomes per capita with the other states and examines the part education funding plays in the state budgeting process.

To read the complete report, click here. 

E-coli infections, deaths rise following plastic bag ban

The increased use of dirty, unwashed reusable shopping bags in California has resulted in increased bacterial infections and even deaths, according to a report in the Food Poisoning Bulletin.

In the three months following a plastic bag ban in San Francisco, the report said deaths from food borne illnesses spiked 46 percent.

Though reusable bags must be regularly washed to prevent bacteria and infections, the report quotes a study that found the vast majority of reusable bag customers never wash the bags.

WRA opposes plastic bag bans, in part, for the increased health threats that come with such bans. Beyond that, WRA supports increased promotion of plastic bag recycling and the proper use of reusable bags, including regular washing.

Source: Food Poisoning Bulletin

Temporary health exchange website launched

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange this week launched a website to begin answering questions about how health care reform will work in the state. The new site will evolve into the online portal where customers will be able to compare policies available to them.

Washington is one of a dozen states that elected to establish its own health care exchange accessible through the website, www.wahbexchange.org. The site will begin enrolling customers on Oct. 1 for health insurance policies that will take effect on January 1, 2014.

The new temporary site will "re-launch" in the same location later this year.

Any questions or comments about the site or the enrollment process can be directed to info@wahbexchange.org or by calling 360-407-4100.

State should repeal its unkept promise, Seattle Times argues

The unfunded, six year-old statewide paid family leave law should be repealed, a Seattle Times editorial this week urges.

A host of far more important priorities and the idea's threat to the fragile economy also have convinced WRA to urge repeal of this law this session.

The Times took to task two legislators who are urging expansion of the law, which the Legislature has never found money to fund. The editorial notes that workers already receive benefits under state and federal laws of up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, should it be necessary.

"The state should not obligate itself to grow something it cannot get to work in the first place," Times editors wrote. "Mandating a one-size fits all approach takes flexibility away from employers and their workers."

Paying employees to take time off is a decision best left to individual companies, The Times argues. Click here to read the editorial. 

Ecology gets new director, health secretary to retire

The new Jay Inslee administration is resulting in two changes at the top of the departments of Ecology and Health.

Gov. Inslee has named Maia Bellon as the new director at Ecology, succeeding Ted Sturdevant who transferred to join Inslee as legislative director. Bellon had been heading the Water Resources Program at Ecology.

Also, Mary Selecky, appointed Washington Health Secretary nearly 15 years ago by Gov. Gary Locke, announced last week that she would be retiring this month. She plans to remain on the job until her successor is named. 

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Watch video to "back your back"

Back injuries are common and expensive problems for businesses of many types.

According to Labor & Industries, back injuries account for roughly a third of workplace incidents and account for about half the insurance payments made to injured workers.

Labor and Industries offers a comprehensive video that explains how the back works and what mistakes employees commonly make to hurt their backs. The video also offers a variety of tips on how to properly lift objects to avoid injury and missed work.

Common tips include:

*Avoiding overreaching or twisting while lifting.

*Ensuring secure footing and using gloves when necessary to avoid injury or slippage during a lift.

*Watching your weight and posture. Being overweight puts extra stress on the lower back and can increase the odds of injury.

*Keeping the loads close to you to avoid stretching and strain on the lower back.

*Getting help if a load is too heavy.

*Allowing leg muscles, not back muscle, to lift the bulk of the load.