Latest news with #Washingtonians'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
If the cost of food spikes, blame Washington Democrats
When Democratic lawmakers last December accidentally leaked their plans to increase taxes this legislative session, they said they needed to 'identify the villain' — a villain they assured Washingtonians was the ultrawealthy and some of 'the biggest, most profitable corporations on the planet.' Now that Democrats have passed their $9.4 billion tax increase — the largest in state history — it's clear who their villain is, but it's not the ultrawealthy or big business as advertised. After all the Democrats' talk about who needs to pay what they owe, it turns out they were talking about you. At a time when Washingtonians cite the unaffordability of housing, gas, child care, health care and groceries as their top concern in poll after poll, Democrats' new taxes will increase the cost of housing, fuel, child care, hospital care – and will add $100 million to the cost of Washingtonians' food. Making food more expensive is especially cruel: Essentials like food cannot be cut from household budgets. That's why, as representatives of local grocers and restaurant owners, we strongly urge Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto the Democrats' tax increase on food, which will be devastating to lower-income households. It represents an unfathomable abdication of concern for working families on the part of the governor's Democratic colleagues. How did this happen? Democrats said they intended to 'make our extremely bad, regressive tax system better than it is now,' using chart after chart to show how little Washington taxes wealthy individuals, broadcasting data from the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy. Yet when it came time to evaluate who would bear the burden of their tax proposals — those at the top or the bottom of the income scale — Democrats quickly turned a deaf ear to their friends at the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy. A recent post reminded Democrats not to 'settle for a more regressive revenue raiser,' warning that, with unwise choices, 'the state risks backsliding … and moving further away from a tax system designed with equity and sustainability in mind.' So what were Democrats' tax equity ideas? Achieving tax fairness by taxing wealth greater than $50 million? Democrats abandoned that idea. Achieving tax fairness by adding a payroll tax on income for employees at large companies who earn more than $176,100? They abandoned that idea, too. Both ideas were rejected after an intense lobbying campaign on the part of Washington's corporate leaders, including from Amazon, WaFd Bank, Weyerhaeuser and dozens more. Microsoft, leading the way, even pledged $1 million to defeat a payroll tax at the ballot. Democrats then said they could achieve tax fairness by raising the B&O tax on businesses large and small — including more than doubling the tax on business with revenues over $250 million per year. The Institute of Economic Tax Policy called this idea 'fundamentally different from a tax fairness perspective' from the payroll tax proposal, which would only impact the top 20% of income earners. The B&O tax proposal would burden the bottom 80% of income earners. Democrats chose this one. Now (paying close attention to the corporations mentioned above), Democrats did create some exemptions in their plan. These include computing, financial services and timber — as well as airplane sales and the sale of oil. Democrats declined to clarify their rationale for these exemptions. But, for the very same reasons cited by the Institute of Economic Tax Policy — namely, that the B&O tax is 'a sales tax by another name' — we urged Democrats to exempt food wholesalers and distributors, too, offering amendments on five separate occasions. Democrats rejected them. Restaurants and independent grocers play a vital role in ensuring access to fresh food for Washington's communities. But we cannot pledge $1 million to beat this tax increase at the ballot. When suppliers' costs go up, our members' costs go up, and they simply don't have the margins to absorb these costs themselves. The average restaurant in Washington operates on a 1.5% margin, while the average independent grocer operates on a 1.1% margin. Washington's menu prices are 12% higher than the national average. Our grocery costs are the fourth highest in the nation. Democrats' tax increase on our industries represents one-third of the average restaurant's margin and nearly half of the average independent grocer's margin. This is neither equitable nor sustainable. Lawmakers missed their chance this year to rein in runaway spending, choosing instead to add to out-of-control costs already overburdening Washington families. Yet it's not too late to undo their most unconscionable decision of all making food more expensive for Washingtonians. Gov. Ferguson, please act. Anthony Anton, of Tacoma, is president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association. Tammie Hetrick, of Olympia, is president and CEO of the Washington Food Industry Association.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WA bill to keep medical debt off credit reports signed into law
Gov. Bob Ferguson signing Senate Bill 5480, a bill that would exempt medical debt from credit reports, on April 22, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) Washingtonians' medical debt will not be included in their credit reports, under a bill signed into law on Tuesday. Having medical debt can create a spiraling effect and prevent people from getting approved for car or home loans or apartment rentals. Medical debt can also cause providers to deny services to patients with outstanding bills or dissuade people from seeking care. Senate Bill 5480, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, intends to mirror efforts at the federal level that have been thrown into question. It will prohibit collection agencies from reporting overdue medical debt to credit agencies. The bill will take effect on July 27. In January, the Biden administration finalized a similar federal rule before President Donald Trump took office. It was set to take effect in March, but it is currently on pause by the Trump administration and faces legal challenges. The new state law is intended to help people like Christopher Raymond, who was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma at age 16. To get the treatment Raymond needed to survive, his dad was forced to retire and cash out his pension, which amounted to $60,000. Originally from Everett, Raymond's family moved to California so he could receive the treatment he needed, which lasted two years and required a stem cell transplant, which was not covered by his dad's insurance. The move made him eligible for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, which covered his treatments. Despite the coverage, he and his family faced extreme hardships and had trouble paying for necessities such as food and utilities. 'There was a point where it got really bad that I was eating those quarter chicken legs you would get from the grocery store and it would be my only meal I could have for the day,' Raymond said. Raymond is now 28 and has been cancer-free for the past 10 years, but says his family could've been pushed into extreme debt for his treatments, which cost upward of $6 million before accounting for insurance payments. 'I shouldn't be punished for having cancer,' Raymond said. His experience is shared by many who have undergone similar health issues. When this happens, people might stop or delay treatments because they can't afford them or because their insurance companies don't approve the care. People, at times, also lose everything they own to continue their treatments, or they end up dying of cancer. Roughly six in 10 Washington adults say they could not pay an unexpected $500 medical bill, and about 30% say they live in a household with medical debt, even with health insurance, according to a report done by the Northwest Health Law Advocates. Audrey Miller García, government relations director at the American Cancer Society, explained that families can still have to pay debt they accrued from treatments if their child dies of cancer. Even when someone survives cancer, they may still need treatment for the rest of their lives. These follow-up treatments are expensive, and depending on the insurance coverage a person has, the care can land them in thousands of dollars worth of debt. Raymond still gets billed. 'My lifelong care after cancer is always going to be met with more insurance bills,' he said. He says he's been due for a CT scan for over six years, but is worried about going into debt because he cannot afford the scan even after his co-pay. 'You shouldn't be punished for having cancer, you should get through it and be able to not worry about having to live, because it's not enough to just survive, you need to live too,' Raymond said.
Axios
09-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
You can delete your DNA data from 23andMe
People who submitted a DNA sample to 23andMe for genetic testing can get that data deleted, something Washington state officials are highlighting after the company filed for bankruptcy last month. Why it matters: While the company said it won't change how it protects people's data, it's seeking a buyer — and a new owner could run things differently, making it important for people to know their rights, the Washington state attorney general's office said in a news release. State of play: A 2023 Washington state law, the My Health My Data Act, requires companies like 23andMe to disclose how they use Washingtonians' health data, while ensuring residents have the right to get their data deleted. Zoom in: 23andMe customers can delete their data by logging into their account, going to "settings," and scrolling down to the section labeled, "23andMe Data." If you click "view," you can download your data for your own records if you want. Then, scroll down to the "Delete Data" section, and click "Permanently Delete Data." You'll receive an email from 23andMe asking you to confirm your deletion request. The fine print: You can also choose to have your saliva sample destroyed, by visiting your account settings page and going to "Preferences." To revoke consent for your genetic data to be used for research, go to your account settings and find "Research and Product Consents." What they're saying: If 23andMe "for any reason" declines a Washington resident's data deletion request, that person can file a complaint with the state attorney general, the company's website says.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Debate over taxes to balance budget
With fewer than four weeks left in session, Governor Bob Ferguson is telling state lawmakers in the State House and State Senate that the budgets they recently passed are not good enough and they need to start again. 'Neither budget, however, is close to one that I can sign,' Ferguson said. Ferguson said both budgets include too many tax increases, not enough cuts, and are too reliant on a proposed wealth tax, which he believes will be challenged in court, creating a timeline the state can't afford to wait for as its budget woes increase. As part of its budget, Washington's State Senate passed a bill that would tax $10 on every $1,000 of assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that are worth over $50 million, generating an estimated $4 billion a year. Tuesday, the State House of Representatives passed a budget that includes an $8 per $1000 tax on those assets. 'If the Legislature wishes to complete our work on time, they need to immediately move the budget discussions in a significantly different direction on both of these issues,' Ferguson said in prepared remarks to reporters Tuesday. Ferguson pointed to an increasing forecasted shortfall, from $15 billion in winter to $16 billion in March over the next four years, as a reason for lawmakers, especially those in his own party, to consider more prudent decision-making with Washingtonians' tax money. Ferguson laid out five 'must-have' items for any budget he will sign: Protect the Budget Stabilization Account (Also known as reserves or a rainy-day fund) Base Revenue on Realistic Growth Forecasts Minimize New Investments Must find efficiencies and savings Cannot rely on revenue that can be overturned in Court He added that he'd prefer the Legislature include $100 million in grants for law enforcement agencies as well. Ferguson believes a Wealth Tax would likely be challenged in court. It's the latest attempt to even out the tax burden in Washington, a state that ranks second by tax policy organizations for disproportionately taxing more of lower and middle-income earners' wages as opposed to wealthier Washingtonians. 'We do have a system that is not fair, that is too aggressive. That's a fact,' Ferguson said, 'So I'm open to ways that solve it, but we have to do it in a way that is thoughtful.' Both the Senate and the House budgets included raising the cap on property taxes from one percent to inflation plus population increase, with a 3% limit, and considering a tax on payrolls for incomes higher earners ($176,100 in the Senate bill). Ferguson didn't tip his hand on his stance on those items as he says negotiations continue. Ferguson did raise the spectre of preparing for large funding cuts from the federal government, pointing to an area like Medicaid, where billions of dollars come into the state, or the $2.5 billion in federal assistance to K-12 students. Preparing for that situation is something Ferguson has highlighted to budget writers, including protecting reserves. 'We may not be able to prepare perfectly for what's coming, but we can do a lot. 'Ferguson said, 'There are some big decisions coming in the next few weeks that will determine whether we are at the mercy of Donald Trump from a fiscal standpoint or do we have flexibility?' The Washington legislative session is scheduled to end on April 27.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington Attorney General's staff walks out Thursday
The Brief Washington State Attorney General's Office staff walked out on Thursday in protest against proposed financial cuts and furloughs by Governor Bob Ferguson. The walkout, held in partnership by two local unions, took place at offices in Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma and Spokane. SEATTLE - Staff from the Washington State Attorney General's Office participated in a walkout on Thursday, bringing attention to the impacts of proposed financial cuts and furloughs. What we know The walkout was held in partnership with two unions, including the Washington State Attorney General's Office Professional Staff Local 795 and theWashington Assistant Attorneys General Union Local 5279. Those in attendance held signs and chanted against Governor Bob Ferguson's recommended budget cuts of about $4 billion. "So we're hoping that every legislator understands that the work of the Attorney General's office, which a lot of people I understand don't know, so we need to advocate for ourselves, but the work that we do is to keep criminals behind bars, put them there, and the civil rights and everything that's coming from the other Washington that right now we're having to defend for our Washingtonians' safety and security," said Kim Triplett-Kolerich with WFSE Local 795. The cuts, in an attempt to reduce the state's multi-billion-dollar deficit, include: Making most state employees take a furlough day every month over the next two years Reductions to government travel, property expenses and non-vital operations Reviewing and scaling back new spending and program expansions The walkouts took place outside every attorney general's office in Washington state, including in Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma and Spokane. Organizers encouraged people to contact their local state representative to ensure their voices and concerns about the cuts are being heard. The Source Information in this story is from FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Top aide for WA Gov. Ferguson resigns over workplace complaints, report Seattle police arrest man accused of more than 20 bank robberies Here's where Seattle renters are relocating Seattle's Capitol Hill Block Party announces 2025 lineup, changes to event Could Bryan Kohberger's autism defense for capital murder set a precedent? To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
