News
Transportation budget: $10 billion for two years, no new major package
Lawmakers adopted a $9.8 billion transportation budget for the 2019-20 biennium. The two year budget provides additional investments for a new 144-car hybrid electric ferry, conversion of an existing ferry, and terminal improvements.
Posted on 04/30/2019
Legislature passes Initiative 1000 regarding affirmative action
In a surprise and last-minute move, the Legislature passed Initiative 1000 which would once again allow affirmative action programs in the state.
Posted on 04/30/2019
Contact your State House & Senate members NOW to urge them to OPPOSE the billion-dollar tax increase!
We are very concerned that this budget will include at least some of the tax proposals that have been under consideration.
Posted on 04/25/2019
Legislature passes bill requiring building owners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Under bill E3SHB 1257, recently passed by the Legislature, many commercial office buildings will have to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Funding is available to help building owners in the transition. Plus, the bill requires new buildings with parking to provide electric charging stations.
Posted on 04/23/2019
Expanded use of design-build and JOC approved by Legislature
A bill that allows greater use of design-build and job order contracting by public owners recently passed the Legislature.
Posted on 04/23/2019
Proposed state budgets feature capital gains, B&O and REET taxes
Democratic leaders in the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives have proposed differing biennial budgets for 2019-2021, but they do have two things in common: They are both way bigger than the previous state budget, and they both feature tax increases.
Posted on 04/09/2019
State House passes $10 billion transportation biennial budget
The State House of Representatives has passed its version of the 2019-21 biennial transportation budget, with total funding of $10 billion, up about $600 million from the previous budget. The Senate version is similar and awaits action on the Senate floor.
Posted on 04/08/2019
House passes $4.6-billion capital budget giving boost to K-12, higher ed construction
The state construction budget, and accompanying bond bill, passed the House of Representatives last week. The $4.6 billion capital budget, prime sponsored by House Capital Budget Committee Chair Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) invests heavily in public schools and colleges, mental health and environmental projects.
Posted on 04/08/2019
Pay data for Obama-Era EEO-1 report potentially due Sept. 30, 2019
Pending court approval, AGC calls for more time to comply
Posted on 04/04/2019
Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds office available to help
The Office of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds recently launched its new website with information about services and resources for workers and employers who need help resolving issues with the Employment Security Department and the Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
Posted on 04/04/2019
Contact your State House members NOW and urge them to oppose the billion-dollar tax package!
Contact State House members NOW and urge them to oppose this billion-dollar tax package.
Posted on 03/29/2019
Proposed state budget includes capital gains, B&O and REET tax increases
House Democrats unveiled a two-year state budget proposal that seeks $1.4B in new revenue, including a new 9.9% capital gains tax, a 20% (and up) B&O tax increase for many businesses, and an increase in the real estate excise tax (REET).
Posted on 03/26/2019
Ill-conceived contractor-liability bill dies in Legislature
The number of anti-business bills introduced in Olympia this year has been unprecedented. But thanks to a worthy effort from AGC and its members, general contractors and subcontractors alike will not be as easy targets in years to come for double-payment liability on private projects.
Posted on 03/26/2019
AGC-backed hazardous clean-up bill heading toward passage
Legislation to speed up the clean-up of certain contaminated properties in order to get them into productive economic use more quickly is moving through the Legislature.
Posted on 03/12/2019
$15-B transportation package passes Senate Committee
Forward Washington — a comprehensive 10-year transportation and environmental plan to invest in infrastructure and green technology projects throughout the state — was passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee March 6.
Posted on 03/12/2019
Action Alert: Oppose mandatory bid listing
New legislation (SB 5457) in Olympia would require a general contractor to list ALL subs at the time of bid.
Posted on 03/11/2019
Action needed now on SHB 1395
Substitute House Bill 1395 was added to the floor calendar on March 5 and will likely be heard very soon.
Posted on 03/06/2019
AGC files suit over prevailing-wage legislation
On January 23, 2019, AGC of Washington filed suit to overturn recently-enacted legislation (SB 5493) that dramatically changes how prevailing wages are set in the state.
Posted on 01/29/2019
Congrats to the 2019 Excellence in Contract Administration award winners
Last week, winners of the annual Partnership for Excellence in Contract Administration Awards, co-sponsored by AGCW and WSDOT, were announced at the WSDOT/AGC annual meeting.
Posted on 01/15/2019
Governor proposes 9-percent capital-gains tax
Governor Jay Inslee has proposed a new capital-gains tax to help fund his proposed 2019–21 operating budget that would increase spending by $9.973 billion (22.3 percent).
Posted on 01/14/2019
Governor announces plan for ultra-efficient buildings
Gov. Jay Inslee recently unveiled a plan that he hopes would launch a dramatic reduction of Washington state’s greenhouse gas emissions over the next 15 years.
Posted on 01/14/2019
Sen. Sharon Brown, AGC’s 2018 Legislator of the Year
AGC’s Government Affairs Committee is pleased to announce that State Senator
Sharon Brown is AGC of Washington’s 2018 Legislator of the Year.
Posted on 01/02/2019
AGC charges 17 local unions with unfair labor practices
AGC of Washington (AGCW) has filed an unfair labor-practice charge against 17 building and construction unions with the Region 19 National Labor Relations Board in Seattle, Washington.
Posted on 01/02/2019
2019 infrastructure report-card rollout, Jan. 16
The new Washington State Infrastructure Report Card will be coming out in January.
Posted on 12/21/2018
Congress could head to a partial government shutdown
What contractors should do in the event of a shutdown