News you should care about
POLICY NEWS
Week ending January 26, 2023
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As Washington's Legislative session is underway, keep in mind the following dates:
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February 17 - committee cutoff (Last day to read in committee reports (pass bills out of committee and read them into the record on the floor) in house of origin, except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.)
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March 8 - Last day to consider (pass) bills in house of origin (5 p.m.).
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April 23 - Last day of regular session.
Bill Summaries:
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HB 1215 (riparian zones)
HB 1421 (VSP)
HB 1136 (employee loss coverage)
SB 5341 (location-based branding)
SB 5476 (12-week overtime selection)
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Other state legislative news:
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Rural economic development sales tax credit reintroduced (WA cities)
"A proposal extending the rural county sales tax authority for public facilities (the 0.09 sales tax) to 2054 has been introduced again this session (HB 1267) and is scheduled for a hearing in the House Local Government Committee. Cities support this sales tax option and frequently partner with counties on economic development projects using the funds."
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Washington Policy Center: A tax on capital gains is an income tax (Spokesman)
"At 9 a.m. Thursday, the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments concerning the recently imposed capital gains income tax. In no uncertain terms, a capital gains tax is an income tax and not an “excise tax” as claimed by income proponents.
Literally every tax professional in the world, from the IRS, to every other state, to other countries will tell you the same thing – capital gains are income and taxes on them are income taxes. For example, the IRS says: “You ask whether tax on capital gains is considered an excise tax or an income tax? It is an income tax.”
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GENERAL AG NEWS
Honey Bee Vaccine to be Available This Spring (AG INFO)
"The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved its first-ever vaccine for honeybees. The vaccine, developed by Dalan Animal Health, Inc., aims to protect the species from American foulbrood disease, also know as Paenibacillus larvae. Bees play a crucial role in agriculture thanks to their important work as crop pollinators. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates bee pollination accounts for around $15 billion in added crop value."
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Congress and Agriculture 2023 (AG INFO)
"National Potato Council CEO, Kam Quarles says, a new Farm Bill is one of the more pressing ag issues on the agenda, but given the political atmosphere in Congress, it won’t be easy …"