AGC is urging members to contact Governor Ferguson without delay and ask him to veto three recently passed bills that pose serious threats to the construction industry and the broader business community. These bills could be acted upon at any time, so your immediate action is needed!
AGC has submitted formal letters to the Governor opposing these bills, but he also needs to hear directly from employers about the real-world consequences these measures will have on their business. AGC has prepared a draft letter you can send as-is or customize with the impact the bill would have on your business.
The Three Problematic Bills (the title is a link to the action alert)
Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers
Key concerns
- Higher costs for employers
- Longer strikes
- Increased costs for public works projects
Paid family Medical Leave expansion
Key concerns
- Breaks the 2017 agreement that protected small businesses under 50 employees
- Imposing mandatory job protection and health coverage requirements on small employers
- Forcing employers to grant leave in 4-hour increments, increasing administrative burden and staffing challenges
Key concerns
- Directly raise the cost of doing business in Washington
- Lead to higher project costs across the board
B&O Tax Category | Current Tax Rate | Tax Rate in ESHB 2081 | % Increase |
Retail (includes prime contractors & subs without reseller permit) | 0.471% | 0.5% | 6.1% |
Wholesale (includes subs with reseller permit) | 0.484% | 0.5% | 3.3% |
Public Road Construction | 0.484% | 0.5% | 3.3% |
If you have any questions, contact AGC’s Lobbyist Michele Willms.