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

OFM Director speaks at business luncheon

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

David Schumacher, the new Office of Financial Management Director, said the next state fiscal projection report would be released March 20th but that it was too soon to say if it would show an increase or decrease in the state's shortfall amount. 

Part of the state's forecasting problem is Congress, which might not compromise on its budget.  If Congress decides not to act and to simply approve across-the-board cuts, Washington State will be significantly impacted.  Washington is a key state for military installations and the military would take a big cut that would impact jobs, sales tax, B & O tax and increase the need for state services.  A Boeing representative also reminded the audience that it, too, has military contracts that would be impacted. 

The reason for the big concern is that these job losses would only be the first layer of losses. There are many spin off jobs that occur from our military and Boeing jobs.  As I think about the retail sector, we could see 7,000-10,000 retail employees laid off by a lack of Congressional action.  I say this because that is what we lost during the recession and that we have finally recovered.  We have made incremental progress in retail job growth, but retail is nimble and if the shopping slows, we will have no choice but to cut back on employees.

I will never forget the story a 7-Eleven representative told me about how impacted the company is when Boeing goes on strike and workers are not going to work.  Store sales drop off dramatically because people are not stopping by to pick up that cup of coffee or a morning doughnut on their way to work.  Now that sounds like a small thing, but it isn't.  It could be a lot of lost little sales that add up to a big problem for a retailer. 

Schumaker's final point was that while the last quarter was strong in terms of state tax collections, he's not sure that even without the Congressional decisions looming that his forecast will view the last quarter as a positive trend for the state or a one-time blip.  He is well aware that legislators will use whatever number they get from OFM to plan the next state budget, and that if he is off by $50 million dollars, they will not be happy.  He was not willing to comment on what would happen except to say that his revenue report is a full month away from being finalized.

Spring is in the air and cut-off is near

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

Temperatures are creeping up, the days are getting longer, folks are working in their gardens and the first legislative cut-off is rapidly approaching.  On Friday, February 22, all non-fiscal bills have to be out of their committee of origin. 

There will be somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 bills introduced this session.  Many will not make it through the first hoop.  WRA is working hard to get a few helpful bills out of committee while we are hoping several damaging bills never get voted on. 

The next cut-off is March 1 when fiscal bills, ones that cost or save money, have to be out of their committees.  Then the big cut-off is March 13, when all bills have to be out of their House of origin.  I affectionately call this the "flop."  Then we start the process all over in the opposite chambers.

There is one exception to the rules.  If a bill is declared NTIB (necessary to implement the budget) it is immune from all cut-offs and can be considered until the very end of session, April 28.

It will be exciting to see what bills make it and what bills go to the wayside. Please watch future additions of this WIN newsletter for updates on legislation important to WRA and our members.

WRA opposes extreme House safety bill

WRA has written a letter to the House Labor and Workforce Development committee chair in opposition to HB 1891, which would set penalties for repeated serious workplace safety violations.

The bill's penalties are extreme for certain violations and disregard work underway by a WISHA Advisory Committee to review and possibly change current penalties for safety violations before the end of the year, wrote Tammie Hetrick, WRA's VP of Retail Services. Hetrick serves on the advisory committee.

"This legislation has severe unintended consequences to employees who are responsible for the safety of their co-workers and a serious violation can mean many things to include too much bleach mixture in water," Hetrick wrote. "I agree they (violations) are all of concern but, does a repeat of the incorrect mix deserve a felony conviction?"

Hetrick asked committee chair, Rep. Mike Sells, (D-Everett), to allow the advisory committee, comprised of business and labor, to complete its review of penalties.

WRA urges House to pass Retro scheduling bill

WRA this week is urging state Representatives to discuss and pass a bill that would allow Retrospective Rating programs to schedule workers' comp medical examinations with supervision by Department of Labor & Industries.

The Senate already has passed SB 5112 that allows for Retro scheduling authority. But Rep. Mike Sell, D-Everett, canceled a hearing this week for HB 1316, the House companion to the Senate bill. Sells has indicated that his colleagues will consider the Senate version of the bill.

"We're hoping that he (Sells) will hear SB 5112 that already has passed the Senate," Hetrick said.

The scheduling bills emerged from workers' comp reform initiatives approved in the 2011 legislative session. The reforms are aimed at improving management of medical examinations to help employees return to work sooner.

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

The crimes involve robbers who organize 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 recent television report. 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.

WRA's focus on bills widens as session passes first third of schedule

On this Day 38 of the 105-day session, WRA is closing in on tracking about 250 bills filed that could affect retailers.

Friday is the deadline for passing policy bills out of their committee in either the Senate or House of Representatives. Adjournment including state budget adoption is scheduled for April 28.

Certain bills are emerging as key consideration for WRA and its members. Here's a brief summary of the high points so far:

*WRA continues its work advancing SB 5529, which would approve a sales tax holiday weekend on back-to-school shopping starting this August. A Senate committee has heard the bill and it awaits further action. It would boost state revenues, retail sales and job prospects, all reasons it has WRA's support.

*WRA is monitoring movement on SB 5112, which the Senate already has approved. It would speed claims processing and save workers' compensation expenses by allowing Retrospective Rating programs the right to schedule medical exams now handled solely by Labor & Industries.

*WRA supports SB 5459 that would allow pharmacies to prescribe a 90-day supply of drugs, which would add convenience for patients.

*WRA is opposing HB 1719 and SB 5742 that would reclassifying independent truck drivers and add burdensome new insurance costs for retailers.

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. 

NRF, WRA applaud Marketplace Fairness Act

The National Retail Federation has welcomed the recent introduction of the bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act in moving forward action on sales tax fairness.

The bill would require online retailers to begin charging sales taxes and remove their unfair competitive advantage with traditional retailers. Like NRF, WRA has long advocated sales tax fairness by requiring online retailers to collect sales taxes.

In its statement in support of the act, NRF estimated the sales tax disparity has resulted in $24 billion in lost revenues to state and local governments.

"This bill grants states the ability to collect taxes that are already owed," said NRF spokesman David French. Others supporting the bill include the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Real Estate Investments Trusts, the National Association of Wholesalers-Distributors, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

NRF hopes for Congressional action this year on the bill.

Click here to review NRF's news release. 

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.

WRA board meets in Olympia

The WRA board of directors will gather in Olympia tomorrow to hear from several speakers regarding legislation in the 2013 session.

Representatives for Gov. Jay Inslee and House and Senate leaders from the Republican and Democrat parties are scheduled to address the board on bills of interest and to answer questions.

The annual winter board visit to Olympia allows the members to make WRA's case for and against bills that could impact retailers. It also allows members to receive updates on the status of bills of interest to members.

Look for reports about the meeting on the WRA website and the weekly WIN e-newsletter.

RILA releases health care act guide

The Retail Industry Leaders Association this week shared helpful documents outlining employer requirements to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Most employer requirements become effective on January 1, 2014, for employers with calendar-year plans. The report was produced by Washington Council Ernst & Young.

The law firm also has composed an article covering the legal requirements of the law.

To read the firm's overview of ACA, click here.

Source: RILA

Cyber crime seminar in Lakewood March 20

Businesses needing to learn more about protecting computer information from hackers are invited to a March 20th seminar in Lakewood City Hall.

The event, sponsored by the Pierce County Economic Development Department and City of Lakewood Economic Development, will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon. City Hall is located in Lakewood Towne Center, 6000 Main Street S.W.

Presenters will cover topics including protecting trade secrets, securing point-of-sale systems and the new threats to identity posed by smart phone applications.

Click here to learn more and to register. 

Safety tip: (one in a series)

In many cases, fire extinguishers are the state rule

A business content to simply call the fire department if flames break out would fall far short of state requirements.

In many cases, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act requires businesses to install and test portable fire extinguishers. State administrative codes also require employers to train employees how to use fire extinguishers, in certain situations.

The codes are more complex, though, and provide for exemptions. For example, a business is exempt from the fire extinguisher rule if it has a written fire safety policy that requires employees to evacuate their workplace when a fire alarm goes off; maintains an emergency evacuation plan; or keeps fire extinguishers that employees are not allowed to use.

If employees are allowed to use extinguishers, the devices:

*Must be located where they can be reached without risk of injury.

*Must be visually inspected on a monthly basis and be subject to an annual maintenance check.

Employers must keep a record of their testing results and produce them upon request by the Department of Labor & Industries.

Visit state code to review the state's basic fire extinguisher requirements and WISHA to learn more about types of extinguishers designed for specific workplace environments.

WRA employs Maria Justin as a safety advisor to help members draw up required safety plans, to suggest safety meeting topics and to schedule workplace safety visits upon request. Contact her at 360-943-9198, Ext. 21 or at maria@retailassociationservices.com.