Legislature passes “clean” unemployment insurance conformity bill

April 26, 2009

OLYMPIA…Tonight, the House of Representative voted 71 to 25 to pull back (or recede from) amendments to Substitute Senate Bill 5963, a measure that would bring Washington’s unemployment insurance laws into conformity with federal law.

Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, worked with colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to achieve a deal that would bring stability to Washington’s unemployment insurance program, achieve conformity with federal law, and acknowledge overpayments by Washington’s employers.  

The deal was put in jeopardy by a number of controversial amendments that were added in the House.  

“Since the start of the legislative session in January, we have lost more than 92,000 jobs in this state,” said Holmquist. “The House amendments would have resulted in higher costs for employers and the loss of more jobs; that’s the last thing our economy needs now.” 

The bill now moves to the governor for consideration. 

“I am extremely pleased to see the legislature finally deal with this important issue for the business community and the working men and women of our state,” said Holmquist. “This bill will help us reach compliance with federal law, ensure that struggling employers will not continued to be penalized, and protect at least 300 million in federal tax credits that might have been lost. 

“Washington employers pay the sixth highest unemployment insurance taxes in the country, and are the fifth highest in the distribution of benefits; this bill maintains the benefits and solvency of the UI trust fund while protecting workers and employers.” 

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For more information contact Booker Stallworth
at (360) 786-7536 or stallworth.booker@leg.wa.gov.