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TUMWATER – With hot summer weather arriving early this year, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) wants to remind both workers and employers that working outdoors in hot weather can put you at risk of heat-related illness.

If you work outdoors in hot weather, try to follow these five tips:

• 1.    Start work well hydrated and drink as much as a cup of water every 15 minutes.
• 2.    Watch co-workers for signs of heat-related illness, such as headaches, dizziness or nausea.
• 3.    Pace your work and take scheduled breaks.
• 4.    Wear lightweight clothing and remove protective gear when it’s safe to do so.
• 5.    Avoid drinking caffeine or eating a heavy meal.

Employers must train workers so they understand heat-related illness, how it affects their health and how to prevent it.

L&I offers many online resources, such as a sample accident prevention plan, training materials for supervisors and workers, and wallet cards with safety tips. In addition, employers may request a free workplace consultation or attend a workshop.

You can get other safety tips by visiting www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety and clicking on the ‘5 minutes for safety,’ icon.

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For media information: Elaine Fischer, L&I Public Affairs, 360-902-5413 or Elaine.Fischer@Lni.wa.gov.

 

Community Glass is seeking a few good people. With three decades of local service, Community Glass’s future looks great, and as our growth continues, we are looking to bring some happy team players on board.

 

-Inside Sales Representative for Residential

This candidate must be a fast learner, be impeccable with customer service, have good office skills, and a self-motivator. Previous building and construction experience is a plus.

 

-Auto Glass Installer

This person would be responsible for quoting and scheduling jobs as well as assisting with installation and windshield repair. Previous experience highly recommended.

 

-Window Installer

This candidate must work well with others, be a fast learner, have a generally happy outlook, and preferably have previous experience installing windows and doors, residential and or commercial. Building and construction experience is a plus.

 

We offer competitive salaries, plus medical, dental, retirement & other benefits. 30 years in business and a local family-oriented stable company.

 

Please send resume and cover letter to kim@communityglass.com or Mail to 606 N. Wenatchee Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98801

 

 

Perhaps one of the most necessary and important issues being addressed in this Legislative Sessions is that of Workers’ Compensation reform.  Washington is one of only four states that do not allow employers to source workers’ compensation insurance competitively through the private market.  Over the last 12 years, average workers’ compensation rates in Washington have increased nearly 70%, while in the neighboring states of Oregon and Idaho, rates have decreased 17.5% and increased only 4.1%, respectively, over the same period of time.

Last year, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries reported that the workers’ compensation system is facing a budget shortfall--not to mention the threat of insolvency of the contingency reserve fund due to years of artificially suppressing rate increases in order to mask deficiencies--if L&I doesn’t annually increase rates across the board over the next ten years to the tune of over $1 billion.

The overarching problem is that--as with any monopoly--L&I lacks proper incentive to control costs and to operate efficiently. As a consequence, Washington has some of the largest compensation awards for injured workers, as well as exorbitant time-loss claims that average well-over 250 days of missed work. In addition, pension rates have increased more than 300% since 1996. In fact, outside analysis indicates that it costs L&I $1.81 to run the system for every $1.00 of premium paid into the system.

Small-businesses--those who create jobs--simply cannot afford to continue paying for an expensive, broke system. BNCW congratulates Senator Linda Evans-Parlette and twenty-four other members of the Senate for supporting meaningful workers’ comp reform in the form of Senate Bills 5128, which addresses compensation for injured workers, and SB 5127, which removes structured settlement age barriers. Both of these Bills--alone--would ultimately remove the need for the proposed rate increases over the next 10 years.

However, Governor Inslee has recently indicated that he has not heard from employers that there are problems with the state’s workers’ compensation system! BNCW is encouraging our members to contact the Governor’s office to let him know that workers’ compensation reform is not only necessary, but key to job creation--something he stated, during his campaign, that was his number one goal! For talking points, please click here.

Write
Governor Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Call
360-902-4111

Notice of Public Hearing

Shoreline Master Program Hearing

February 8, 2013

The City of Chelan will be conducting a public hearing updating the Shoreline Master Program.

 

Proposal:  The City of Chelan is in the process of trying to adopt a more current version of the Shoreline Master Program. The version that is currently being enforced dates back to 1979.

 

The draft SMP update includes several new or amended policies and regulations regarding shoreline uses, buffers, vegetation management, boating facilities and moorage, dock mitigation, public access and other topics. Based on state law and rules, the SMP Update should maintain shoreline ecological functions while allowing appropriate new development and ensuring adequate land for preferred shoreline uses and public access. The SMP update would apply to new uses or activities and would not retroactively apply to existing uses.

 

Location:   200’ from the ordinary high water mark of Lake Chelan and the Chelan River within the City of Chelan Urban Growth Boundary.

 

Applicant:  City of Chelan, 135 E Johnson Avenue, Chelan, WA 98816.

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on February 28, 2013 in the Council Chambers at 135 East Johnson, Chelan, WA.

 

Any person has the right to provide testimony at the public hearing. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing.  Please address any specific and factual comments about the project to Craig Gildroy at the Community Development Department, P. O. Box 1669, Chelan, WA 98816. The Shoreline Master Program Update is available for viewing at our website at www.cityofchelan.us.

The National Association of Home Builders had this to say on the subject...

False rumors are circulating the Internet that the new 3.8% Medicare tax on so-called unearned income set to take effect in 2013 is a direct tax on the sale of a home.

This is not the case.

The tax increase on capital income – such as capital gain and rents – will affect some real estate investments. However, it should have a negligible impact on home owners selling their principal residence.

The 3.8% Medicare tax is one of the provisions in the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” that was enacted in 2010. The tax will affect high-income taxpayers who report taxable income due to capital gains and other non-wage income. It will not affect income that is currently tax-exempt, including most capital gain due to the sale of a principal residence which is exempt due to the $250,000/$500,000 gain exclusion rules.

The tax increase could affect a small percentage of home sales, such as second homes that are not subject to the gains exclusion or sales that involve a significant capital gain. However, the number of transactions impacted by the new tax would be further limited because taxpayers with less than $250,000 in income are not subject to the tax.

Impact on Rental Income

The 3.8% Medicare tax will affect high-income taxpayers who report taxable income due to capital gains and other investment income. Net investment income is the sum of income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents and capital gain.

The IRS released proposed regulations and an FAQ on Nov. 30 which confirms that all active net rental income derived from active participation in a trade or business is exempt from the new tax. This is a positive development.

However, net rental income due to passive participation (in which the investor puts in money but has no material participation or management authority) is subject to the 3.8% tax.

How is the Tax Calculated?

Here are two examples:

• Suppose a couple has wage income of $260,000 and $9,000 in capital gains. The extra 3.8% tax applies to the lesser of $19,000 (the difference between their total income of $269,000 and the $250,000 threshold) and $9,000. $9,000 is the lower amount, so the increased tax is equal to $342 ($9,000 times 3.8%).
• Suppose a couple has wage income of $50,000 and gains income of $210,000. The extra 3.8% tax applies to the smaller of $10,000 (the difference between their total income of $260,000 and the $250,000 income threshold) and $210,000. $10,000 is lower, so the increased tax is equal to $380 ($10,000 times 3.8%).

BNCW just received the following press release from L&I concerning workers' compensation rates for 2013.

TUMWATER - The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) today announced there will be no overall increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums in 2013. This is the second year in a row that L&I has held overall rates flat.

While there will be no overall rate increase in 2013, individual employers may see their rates go up or down, depending on their recent claims history and changes in the frequency and cost of claims in their industry. L&I has published a rate table online and will soon send all employers a rate notice. The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2013.

Earlier this year, when L&I proposed no increase for 2013, Director Judy Schurke credited the proposal to savings from the reforms passed during the 2011 legislative session and other factors projected to hold down costs next year.

The 2011 reforms will save $1.5 billion over four years, $300 million higher than originally estimated.

One of the 2011 reforms, a new statewide provider network scheduled to launch in January, will help L&I continue holding growth in medical costs below 4 percent, said Schurke. “We are very excited about the new network because injured workers will get the best possible care from network providers, who will meet standards similar to those required by other large health insurers,” she added.

Continuing to streamline claims handling will also help L&I hold down costs next year. “We have a number of Lean projects underway to eliminate inefficiencies and process claims faster.  By doing our jobs better and faster, we’re helping injured workers recover and return to their jobs sooner. This holds down claims costs for L&I and premiums for employers and workers,” Schurke noted.

L&I expects to receive fewer claims from high hazard industries like construction in 2013, as the economy continues a slow recovery. Injuries in these industries tend to be more severe and costly.

L&I's rate decision means an additional $82 million will be placed in the State Fund reserves by the end of 2013. The Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, which has been working with L&I on a plan to rebuild the reserves, endorsed L&I’s proposal to hold rates steady in 2013 and begin rebuilding the reserves.

Washington is the only state where workers contribute a substantial portion of the premiums. Next year, their share will be about 24 percent.

More than 100,000 workers in Washington state are injured on the job each year. L&I must review premium rates annually and make adjustments to cover the anticipated costs of claims that will be filed in the next year.

More information about 2013 workers’ comp rates is available at www.Rates.Lni.wa.gov

 

Last week, BNCW forwarded a letter to the Douglas County Commissioners, expressing concern related to a recent appointment the commissioners made to the Douglas County Regional Planning Commission. This appointment was made in spite of the fact that the individual appointed has had--and continues to have--a financial relationship as a contracted service provider with the County. In making the appointment, the County Commissioners violated a County policy adopted in 2010. Click here to read the letter. Click here to listen to BNCW's CEO discuss the concern with KOZI Radio. 

Posted Date: 6/29/2012 9:00 AM

Due to an upcoming vacancy on the Wenatchee City Council, the city is seeking citizens of

Wenatchee who are interested in serving as a member on the Wenatchee City Council. To hold office, a person must be a registered voter of the city at the time of filing his or her application, and must be a resident of the city for a period of at least one year prior to appointment.

The City will hold two information sessions for those interested in serving. The first session will be Monday, July 9 at 5:30pm, and the second session to be held on Tuesday, July 10 at noon, at the Wenatchee City Hall, 129 South Chelan.

Click here for the application.  Applications must be received by the City Clerk no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012. Mail completed applications to: Tammy Stanger, City Clerk, 129 South Chelan, PO Box 519, Wenatchee, WA 98807 .  For questions please contact Tammy Stanger at cityclerk@wenatcheewa.gov or call (509) 888-6204. 

Click here to read Marc Straub's guest column in the Wenatchee Business Journal, related to the Chelan City Council's recent decision to reduce General Facility Charges.

Curious how small-business owners weigh-in on the state of the business climate in Washington? Click here for a report card.