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@retailassociation.org

Jim Szymanski

Seattle minimum wage update

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

This week the $15 Now group came to Seattle City Hall to announce a charter amendment campaign to increase the minimum wage in January to $15, but only for businesses with over 250 employees.  Everyone else gets three years to ramp up to $15 with the first increase starting at $11 dollars. 

Workers could file complaints to the court if they weren't being paid accordingly.  The group needs 30,000 signatures to get the charter amendment on the ballot.

Campaign Manager Jess Spear said $15 Now is seeking a charter amendment so the city council couldn't change it.  Any changes would require a vote of the people. King County Councilman Larry Gossett was in attendance along with leaders from the 21^st Century wage movement.

There are a number of interesting notes from this event. 

The $15 Now group has dropped several versions of their initiative at city hall.  So they might end up using a different one when they start to collect signatures.  Kshama Sawant, who has been leading this movement, was noticeably absent from the press conference.  I am told there is a lawsuit against Sawant for using city facilities to advance her personal agenda, although I haven't seen any news stories to verify the rumor.  And, the labor union, SEIU 775 that put money into the SeaTac minimum wage hike is not supporting this charter amendment version.

The Mayor is still hoping for a compromise to come from his task force that is now being asked to give him its final decisions by April 24^th.   The $15 Now group has planned a "national conference" on April 26^th and is expected to make its minimum wage issue highly visible at the city's annual May Day protests.

The One Seattle coalition that includes a variety of large and small businesses including ethnic minorities and nonprofits continues its pressure to ramp up the wage slowly for everyone and to consider total compensation such as commissions, tips, bonuses, and health care benefits. 

Finally, there is talk that as many as four ballot measures on the minimum wage could be out there for voters this fall.  This would make it very confusing and difficult to argue for or against.  In the end, voters could vote no on all of them and send the issue back to the city council to finalize.  But at this point, it is all speculation. 

It will be another month before we know the final shape of the debate.

Seattle small businesses reject $15 hr. minimum wage, survey shows

A vast majority of Seattle's surveyed small businesses do not support the immediate implementation of a $15 an hour minimum wage, as proposed to a mayoral review committee.

A total of 18 neighborhood district chambers of commerce and 251 small employers participated in the questionnaire about calls for the city to implement a $15 an hour minimum wage. The current state minimum wage is $9.32, the highest state minimum in the nation.

Ninety-one percent of those small businesses surveyed were against immediate implementation of a $15 wage, called for by the advocacy group $15 Now.

Highlights from the survey:

*Fifty-one percent of those surveyed would conduct layoffs to adjust to the higher payroll expenses of a $15 minimum wage.

*Sixty percent said if the minimum wage increases in Seattle, it should be phased in over a three-year period, not imposed immediately.

*Fifty-one percent said factors other than a minimum wage - such affordable housing and child care - would be more helpful to low wage workers than a significant increase in the minimum wage.

*Twenty-five percent said a higher minimum would influence whether they located a business in Seattle or outside city limits.

*Eleven percent said the higher minimum wage idea should be dropped.

*Just 9 percent said they agreed with immediately implementation of a $15 minimum wage.

Seattlepi.com carried a report about the survey over the past weekend. Among other outcomes from the minimum wage debate were businesses putting lease negotiations on hold or concluding that a higher minimum wage would make it harder for inexperienced applicants to find a job.

Visit seattlepi.com to read more about the survey.

Source: seattlepi.com

Freedom Foundation analyzing paid sick leave impacts

The Olympia-based Freedom Foundation is preparing an independent analysis of the economic impacts of communities considering adoption of mandatory paid sick leave policies such as Seattle.

The Foundation has learned that up to 80 percent of businesses surveyed to date on the policy already had volunteered to offer paid sick leave benefits.

"It is unsurprising that many of them express support for mandatory paid sick leave laws," the Foundation stated. "An accurate appraisal of the data leads to no such conclusions."

Negative consequences of such policies can include price increases and cuts in employee compensation and benefits, the Foundation believes. Further, the Foundation is examining whether paid sick leave policies truly result in fewer employees who work while they are sick.

The Foundation expects to release the results of its analysis by the end of May and distribute the report to the state Legislature. It intends for the study to be reviewed and endorsed by independent economists.

WRA members with questions regarding the analysis are urged to contact Max Nelsen, Labor Policy Analyst at the Freedom Foundation at 360-956-3482 or mnelsen@myfreedomfoundation.org. Those wishing to offer financial support can send a contribution to Freedom Foundation, P.O. Box 552, Olympia, Washington 98507 and make a note that the donation is designated for the sick leave project. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.

Help elect pro-retail candidates by donating to the PAC

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

The election season is upon us.  This is an important year with all of the state House members and half of the state Senate up for election. 

WRA's Retail Action Council Political Action Committee, or as we call it the RAC PAC, will be a major player in helping elect pro-retail candidates to the legislature.  Our process is very involved and thorough to ensure the greatest chance for success. 

First, we are diligently working on a voting record for all current members of the legislature.  We select approximately 10 bills per chamber that we were involved in and score the legislators on whether they voted with us or sponsored something we liked or didn't like.  We then combine the 2014 scores with the 2013 scores for a biennium or two-year total.  This gives a better representation of the legislators overall support or lack thereof.  Once the voting record is done the RAC PAC will make its first round of endorsements. 

Surveys will be sent to all candidates who don't have a voting record and who have filed to run for the legislature.  After scoring the surveys we will decide which candidates to interview based on their scores and the viability of their districts to elect them.  Recommendations will then be sent to the RAC PAC for consideration of endorsements and contributions.

RAC PAC contributions are very important to help the pro-retail candidates to get the word out.  Yard signs, letters, websites, radio, bill boards and TV all cost money.  A contested House race can run anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 and an average Senate race can cost upwards of $500,000. 

Individual donation limits to candidates this year are $950 per election, so for the primary and general you can give $1,900.  Contributions to PACs are unlimited.  We can also accept corporate dollars.

In order to secure a pro-retail legislature it is critical that contributions to the RAC PAC be made.  If you are in a position to donate please mail a contribution made out to:  The Washington Retail Association Retail Action Council PAC, P.O. Box 2227, Olympia WA  98507-2227.  We appreciate all of the WRA members who have already donated.

If you would like to discuss giving opportunities please give me a call directly:  360-943-9198 ,  Ext. 15  We appreciate your serious consideration of this very important component of our political program.

WRA seeks to increase member tax refunds

By Tammie Hetrick, VP Retail Services

At this week's meeting of the Retro Advisory Committee, I asked Labor & Industries to analyze a method that could increase refunds on premium payments made by our members.

I based the request on Retro's superior record in administering the state's Stay-at-Work  program. The program reimburses eligible employers for a significant portion of an injured employee's wages, training and equipment costs if employers provide a temporary light-duty work assignment and the employee returns to work as early as possible.

About 70 percent of the reimbursements issued in the Stay at Work program are to Retro members. This means we're getting more people back to work sooner and saving the state workers' comp system money by lowering wage loss costs for injured workers.

This record presents L&I with an opportunity to factor WRA's performance in the Stay and Work program into its calculations for insurance premium refunds to our Retro members who maintain safe work places.

My hope is that L&I will be able to show us how much refunds might increase by applying this alternative method for calculating refunds. Our goal is to make sure our members are getting the largest refunds possible as a reward for their good safety records.

My hope is that L&I will report back to me at the next quarterly Retro Advisory Committee meeting in July. 

Rodney Tom retiring from Legislature

Sen. Rodney Tom, who forged a majority coalition with emphasis on economic development and sustainable state spending, has announced he will not seek re-election in the fall.

He cited family and health concerns including a need to care for his father who was recently injured after being hit by a car.

Sen. Tom's resignation reopens the question as to which party will control the state Senate. Tom was a conservative Democrat whose alliance with other Senate conservatives and moderates allowed Republicans to control the Senate while Democrats currently occupy the Governor's office and control the House of Representatives.

Democrats currently hold 23 seats in the state Senate, while the mostly Republican Majority Coalition Caucus holds 26 seats. This fall, 24 of the 49 seats in the Senate are up for election. The primary election in August determines which candidates appear on the November ballot.

In a statement this week reflecting on his 12 years in office, Tom said state budget restraint had strengthened the state economy as legislators placed more emphasis on funding state schools. He noted that the last legislative session accomplished the first college tuition freeze in 26 years. Elected to the House in 2002 as a Republican, Tom switched to the Democrats four years later. He was elected to the Senate in 2010.

Click here to read Tom's full statement about his decision not to run.

Sources include TVW

Unemployment down from last year but the same as February

The state unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.3 percent in March but was down from 7.1 percent a year earlier.

Most of the 1,800 new retail jobs created in March were for online sellers, the Employment Security Department reported. Overall, the state added an estimated 6,700 new jobs in March and 60,900 in the past year. Retail led all industry categories in adding 11,100 jobs in the past year, ESD reported.

State historical data show how far the slow economic recovery has come from the depths of the recession nearly four years ago.

The state's unemployment rate peaked at 10.2 percent in February, 2010 and began a very slow but steady recovery the next month. The state estimated that 360,410 people were looking for jobs at the height of the recession. That number fell to 219,730 in March of this year.

"The short term trend looks good," said Paul Turek, a state labor economist. "We're getting job creation, but it's not gang-busters job creation."

Click here for more details on the monthly employment changes statewide.

Source: Employment Security

Construction leads way in recent state job creation

The state economy generated 7,900 new jobs since the last state revenue forecast in February, according to the Economic Revenue Forecast Council.

The rebounding construction economy led the way in creating 1,800 jobs in February, ERFC reported.

Data from companies that file tax returns with the state electronically showed that retail-related taxes paid to the state increased 5.5 percent in the period from March 11 through April 10 this year compared to the same time a year ago. While drug stores were up 5.5 percent and electronics and appliances stores were up 5.3 percent, apparel stores showed a decline of 0.2 percent in retail sales taxes paid for the one-month review period.

For more on a statewide update, click here and read the April Economic and Revenue update.

Nationally, March sales were up 1.6 percent compared to the same month a year ago, the National Retail Federation reported. The return of warmer weather helped sales of attire and home furnishings, NRF reported. Click here for more on NRF's latest sales announcement.

Sources: ERFC, NRF

NRF preparing program to share cybersecurity threats

By June of this year, the National Retail Federation hopes to launch a computerized information sharing platform to help members guard against criminal hacking, identity theft and data breaches involving sales-related software.

NRF announced plans this week for the information sharing platform. It follows widespread retail security breaches that came to light during the last winter holiday shopping season.

"We believe a heightened and well-coordinated information sharing platform is a vital component for helping retailers in their fight against cyber attacks," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

NRF is preparing the site in cooperation with the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center.  The goal is to provider retailers access to warnings about cyber security threats identified by retailers, government and law enforcement. For more on this, click here.

Source: NRF 

Cautious Easter spending expected this year, survey finds

Shoppers are expected to slightly trim their Easter-related spending this year, a new survey for the National Retail Federation has found.

Consumers are expected to spend an average $137.46 on apparel, food, candy and gifts, down from $145.13 last year.

Regardless, as the weather warms, retailers are expecting increased customer traffic, said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

"As one of the biggest holidays of the year, retailers are looking forward to increased customer traffic in stores and online and will roll out promotions on everything from garden supplies and patio sets to apparel and grocery items as they help their customers prepare for the holiday," Shay said.

Though overall spending is expected to dip, holiday meals and brunches will remain popular, Shay said.

Other findings:

*Of the 6,387 surveyed, 85.7 percent will spend an average of $43.18 on a holiday meal.

*42.9 percent will buy new spring attire.

*89.3 percent will stock up on candy, spending an estimated $2.2 billion.

Click here to read more. 

Shippers save thousands of dollars with WRA partner

Shipping customers saved an average $3,100 in 2013 by shipping with PartnerShip, a partner with WRA.

Enrolled WRA members can save up to 27 percent on select FedEx services.

WRA encourages all members to explore this service. Visit www.PartnerShip.com/99WRA to enroll. Shipping customers with further questions are encouraged to call Partnership at 800-599-2902 or e-mail sales@PartnerShip.com. You also may click here to receive a free rate analysis to help with your shipping decision.

WRA co-presents May health care conference

WRA will co-present the Washington Policy Center's 12^th Health Care Conference on May 13 at the Hilton Bellevue Hotel.

This year's conference will feature this year's keynote speaker, Katie Mahoney, Executive Director of Health Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event will include a bi-partisan legislative session review, followed by three panel discussions. Mahoney also will present at a Spokane luncheon on May 14.

This policy event usually attracts 300 or more state legislators, candidates, business owners and health care industry representative. Click here to register online. 

Former Defense Secretary to address Policy Center

Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has been scheduled to address the Washington Policy Center's annual dinner in Bellevue on Oct. 2.

Gates served under President George W. Bush but is the only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history asked to remain in that office after a change in administrations by newly-elected President Obama.

WPC's annual dinner has become the Northwest's largest policy event, attracting more than 2,000 elected officials, business leaders and policymakers. This year's event will be held at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency.

Click here to register to attend.

Seattle extends grace period for building energy reports

WRA reminds many Seattle commercial and multi-family building owners that they can avoid fines for late energy use reports if they complete and file them by July 1 of this year.

Reports for 2013 energy consumption were due to the city on April 1. Building owners who have not yet filed reports have until July 1 to avoid fines that will be imposed for missing data following that summer date.

The requirement applies to multi-family and non-residential owners of buildings 20,000 square feet or larger. Owners also must provide an energy disclosure report if a tenant, buyer or other qualified party requests it.

Click here to learn how to comply with the Seattle law.

Source: City of Seattle 

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Get to know your fire extinguisher

It's best to learn about a fire extinguisher long before you need to use it. Chances are you won't have enough time or clarity of thought to figure out its operation if a small fire breaks out at your job or home.

Most fire extinguishers are classified either as A, B or C depending upon whether they are designed to fight ordinary fires caused by paper; flammables such as gasoline; or electronics, such as household appliances, respectively.

Here's a short video on how to properly operate a fire extinguisher designed for a small fire. Be careful to buy the proper fire extinguisher for your needs and most likely fire threat.

Business owners and homeowners alike should check on what local fire codes require regarding the number of extinguishers to have on hand including how high to display or store them.

Normal operations have been reduced to an acronym: PASS. If a fire should break out near an extinguisher, PASS means: pull the pin; aim at the base of the fire; squeeze the handle; sweep side to side while aiming the chemicals shot out of the canister.

Companies should include fire extinguisher training in employee orientations.

WRA employs Rick Means as a Safety and Claims Administrator who is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943.9198 x18 or rick.means@retailassociationservices.com.