News for Economics
Final sick-leave rule is out: What you need to know
AGC is sponsoring a presentation and webinar by Darren Feider of Sebris Busto to answer all your questions about the new paid sick leave law that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
Posted on: 10/23/2017
Harvey's aftermath will rattle construction supply chain, economists say
Hurricane Harvey’s immediate impact on the construction sector will be a disruption in the supply chain for key materials, along with scheduling problems for projects that were under construction.
Posted on: 09/08/2017
Contact your legislators today and urge them to pass the Capital Budget now!
The State Legislature has passed the operating budget -- but not the capital budget, which funds a multitude of construction projects.
Posted on: 07/14/2017
No capital gains, B&O tax increase in new state budget
Just barely avoiding a government shutdown, the Legislature on June 30 passed the $44 billion 2017-2019 state operating budget.
Posted on: 07/11/2017
WSDOT using Maximum Funds Available specifications for a few projects
WSDOT has announced that a few projects to be advertised by the end of this year will carry Maximum Funds Available specifications. For these projects bids will be rejected if the bid amounts exceed the specified maximum funds available.
Posted on: 06/05/2017
Jaci Hayden testifies against Senate tax increase bill
Government Affairs Committee member Jaci Hayden testified on behalf of AGC before the Senate Ways and Means Committee April 26. Hayden expressed AGC’s opposition to SB 5929, a comprehensive tax increase bill, especially the bill’s proposed 20-percent B&O tax increase.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
House Democrats propose 20% B&O tax increase, new capital-gains tax
With the state House proposed operating budget approved by that body, eyes are now fixed on legislation needed to fund it. HB 2186 received a “do pass” recommendation from the House Finance Committee April 4 after a public hearing the day prior.
Posted on: 04/10/2017
Priority-Hire Update
Priority-hire programs are sweeping through our local agencies and, while AGC of Washington has been a stalwart supporter of diversity on the jobsite, we have taken exception to the City of Seattle's approach.
Posted on: 03/07/2017
Paid sick leave: What contractors need to know
In November, when voters passed Initiative 1433, commonly known as the minimum wage initiative, they were also approving a provision in I-1433 that requires employers to provide paid sick leave.
Posted on: 01/04/2017
Minimum-wage increases took effect Jan. 1
Washington minimum wage employees received a 16 percent raise on the first of the year -- with a few exceptions.
Posted on: 01/04/2017
Governor’s budget increases taxes, spending by $8 billion
Gov. Jay Inslee recently unveiled his budget proposal. The headlines were that Inslee proposed raising taxes by $4.4 billion, and while that's substantial, it only reflects part of the taxes.
Posted on: 01/04/2017
Minimum wage climbing to $11 in 2017; paid sick leave starts in 2018
The minimum wage in Washington will increase to $11 an hour starting on Jan. 1, 2017, and to $13.50 by 2020.
Posted on: 12/12/2016
When do contractors pay sales tax on clean-up activities?
AGC continues to receive inquiries from contractors regarding the payment of sales taxes on final cleaning subcontracts.
Posted on: 08/22/2016
AGC of America releases construction outlook
The July 2016 Construction Spending, Labor & Materials Outlook from Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for AGC of America.
Posted on: 07/12/2016
Minimum wage, paid sick leave initiative gets on the ballot
AGC joined several business groups to voice its concern that, although raising the minimum wage and requiring paid sick leave through Initiative 1433 sounds good, the unintended consequences could be harmful, particularly for first-time job seekers.
Posted on: 07/08/2016
Employers note: New overtime rule takes effect Dec. 1
On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the new federal overtime rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Posted on: 07/08/2016
Initiatives could bring mandatory sick leave to construction
There may be two initiatives on the November ballot to raise the minimum wage; both of them go beyond the minimum wage and require paid sick leave.
Posted on: 05/10/2016
L&I proposes 2 percent average increase in workers’-comp rates for 2016
The Department of Labor and Industries proposed a two percent average increase in workers’ comp rates for next year.
Posted on: 10/13/2015
House Democrats' budget features new capital gains tax
The House Democrats released their 2015-17 budget proposal last week with more revenue specifics than many had anticipated. House leaders said their $38.8 billion spending plan a nearly 13-percent increase over the last two-year budget would meet key requirements of the state Supreme Court’s McCl...
Posted on: 03/30/2015
Alaska Business Forum: the economic relationship with Washington's northern trading partner
Launch of the Ties that Bind Report:A first look at the economic relationship with Washington’s northern trading partner-- PLUS the 2015 economic forecast featuring Neal Fried
A Seattle Chamber event -- AGC members are welcome to attend;see registration info below.
Its been ten years since the ...
Posted on: 02/02/2015
Important union-benefit trust seminar, Nov. 14
If you are a union contractor you are responsible for submitting monthly reports to trust administrators for both pension and health trusts. Your company is periodically subject to payroll audits and you may have had to deal with collection attorneys if your trust contributions become delinquent....
Posted on: 10/14/2014
Seattle construction cranes a welcome sight
Have you noticed? A plethora of construction cranes is now visible across the Seattle skyline in this YouTube video. Although some are obscured or difficult to see there are 18 construction cranes -- mostly tower cranes -- in this video clip taken last week from the Seattle AGC Building.
Con...
Posted on: 06/24/2014
Workers' Comp Rates will Increase 2.7% in 2014
Premiums for workers’ compensation insurance next year will increase for the first time in three years the Department of Labor and Industries announced this week. The average 2.7-percent rate increase for 2014 premiums is an increase of less than two cents per hour worked.
L&I confirmed the ...
Posted on: 12/02/2013
Washington's 2014 Construction Forecast Positive Across Many Sectors
Click here for the full 2014 economic-forecast presentation.
With Washington State among the country’s healthiest economies 2014 looks promising for healthy growth among most of the state’s construction sectors according to Cliff Brewis of McGraw-Hill. Brewis was the featured speaker at Novemb...
Posted on: 12/02/2013
Opposition to Tacoma's Paid Sick-Leave Effort
AGC and other stakeholders in the business community continue to fight a harmful paid sick-leave proposal that the labor community is pushing in the City of Tacoma. Recently Tacomas News Tribune wrote an editorial in opposition to the proposal. Read it here.