Tag Archives: jobs

STATEMENT: Promise of good jobs defeated by Inslee’s climate agenda, says Braun

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this statement today after Northwest Innovation Works announced it is pulling the plug on a seven-year effort to construct a $2.3 billion methanol plant at the Port of Kalama.

“Knowing this announcement might come from NW Innovations doesn’t make it any less disappointing. Governor Inslee had supported this project until 2019, when he launched his presidential campaign as the ‘climate change’ candidate and did a quick flip-flop. When the Department of Ecology essentially derailed the permitting process a few months ago, the writing was on the wall.

“The economic boom seen in the Puget Sound area for most of the past decade never reached this part of the state. When NW Innovations came calling, with a solid plan, it was welcomed – until politics got in the way. If the bills passed during this year’s legislative session are any indication, the only things the governor’s climate agenda will produce are higher fuel costs for the people of Washington, regardless of their income level. There’s no reason to believe it will lead to the employment and economic activity Cowlitz County workers and families deserve. The promise of good-paying jobs in this part of Washington has been sacrificed on the altar of environmental activism.”

Inslee seeks to expand Ecology’s reach, authority

I recently wrote a guest column in the Longview Daily News regarding the governor’s proposed changes to our state’s water quality standards and the challenges that presents. Please read below for excerpts and a link to the full story.

 

Braun Floor

 

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement regarding Washington’s water quality standards includes a dramatic proposal that raises many red flags for communities and families throughout the state.

There is consensus that it is time to update our water standards. No one is suggesting that we should do less to protect our environment, but the goal must be to balance cleaner water with protecting family budgets and jobs. What we don’t need is another war on jobs with more uncertainty and threats of regulations that are impossible to measure or attain.

In addition to new rules on water quality standards, Gov. Inslee said that it was time to “take a broader approach to areas that are not currently regulated.” He defined those areas as “up stream at the source,” and that “the majority of toxins come from what we build.”

 

Read the rest of the guest column in the Longview Daily News, here.

Legislative Update – Feb. 11, 2014

Sen. Braun

Sen. Braun speaking at the Jobs Now! press conference

Growth Management Act: A Burden on Our Communities

I have cosponsored legislation recently that addresses some serious concerns I have regarding the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The fact is that our communities know what is best for planning and managing growth. The GMA is overly burdensome and this proposed legislation allows for counties to have flexibility in adopting their own planning rules that makes sense for them. See this article in the Longview Daily News for more information about the issue.

Jobs Now!: Getting Washington back on Track

On Wednesday, the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus held a press conference announcing a new initiative focused on getting Washington back to work. The initiative is being call Jobs Now! and started with the passage of the Worker Recovery Act out in the Senate. I am proud to support this effort that would reduce barriers to injured workers of all ages and provide for options and flexibility to meet their needs.

As part of this initiative, my Senate colleagues I and hope to continue supporting sustainable reforms and bills that focus on our state’s economy. I want Washington to be the best place in the country to do business. As a legislator I want to build a better business climate by reducing bureaucratic red tape, supporting reforms to our workers’ compensation system, tax code and education system. This initiative seeks to assist employers in their efforts to create jobs, hire more workers and grow the economy. Click on the photo above to watch the press conference.

Sponsored Legislation

Here are some of the priorities I am working on this session. I am committed to making our state an attractive place to live and work. With the Majority Coalition Caucus, I continue to advance reforms that will make our state’s economy strong, create accountability in government and reduce the burden on our tax payers and job creators.

Senate Bill 5656 would create a one stop shop for businesses to renew business licenses for all jurisdictions.

Senate Bill 5697 reduces the frequency of local sales and use tax changes. Currently local sales and use tax changes may be implemented four times year. This bill allows changes three times annually. Current sales and use tax system is too complex for small businesses and is continuing to grow. This legislation would cut in half the burden for employers when changing their systems to reflect new sales and use tax rates.

Senate Bill 6182 would establish an annual B&O tax credit for employers that establish new apprenticeship positions where skills gaps exist.

Senate Bill 5727 exempts prevailing wage requirements for public works projects located in distressed counties. Projects would be exempt if at least 50 percent of the project funding comes from private sources. Distressed counties are defined as counties with an unemployment rate 20 percent above the state average for the previous three years.

Senate Bills 6175 & 6176 creates a tax tribunal to balance the relationship between tax payers and tax collectors to ensure fairness and efficiency.

Senate Bill 5647 establishes a stakeholder process for the Department of Revenue in publishing tax rulings and determinations. This bill seeks to balance tax payer confidentiality with open and transparent government and efficiency.