Morning Fizz
Booze News
1. The legislature resolved its debate over workers' comp reform this weekend reaching a deal on an issue that has held up budget talks
. Workers' comp doesn't actually impact the budget numbers, but Republicans and conservative Democrats had demanded changing a system they say is jacking up costs for business before they'd agree to move forward on the budget. The reform, which will lower payouts to injured workers, allows for one-time settlements as opposed to ongoing assistance. [pullquote]Gregoire estimates the new payment system will save $880 million through 2015. Those savings come out of checks to injured workers.[/pullquote]
The deal is largely modeled along the lines the governor proposed a few weeks ago, limiting the payout reforms to older workers (50 and up). Gregoire focused older workers rather than going along with a more sweeping change for all workers that conservatives previouslypassed out of the senate. Gregoire reasons that many older workers don't return to work anyway after getting injured. The house will take up the revised legislation today.
The compromise also tweaks the idea of one-time lump sum payments by creating a "structured settlement." This was done to address the concerns of labor representatives, who felt that workers in need of cash would be tempted to take one-time payments that were substantially lower than the amount they actually deserved over time.
However, the setup still amounts to a lump sum deal as opposed to the traditional as-needed payments over time, an equation that by definition will end up getting less money to injured workers. Indeed, the governor estimates the new payment system will save $880 million through 2015 in the form of lowered checks to injured workers.
2. A step toward liquor privatization passed the state senate this weekend. The bill, sponsored by Republican Sens. Joe Zarelli (R-18, Ridgefield) and Mike Hewit (R-16, Walla Walla) allows the state to take bids on privatizing its liquor distribution system. It passed 31-14 and is queued up for a public hearing and a vote in the house ways and means committee this afternoon.
3. In other booze news: Costco filed another liquor privatization initiative.
In response to the thumbs-down they got on last year's initiative, the proposal limits the eligible retailers to those with 10,000 square feet and prohibits gas stations and convenience stores from getting licenses. [pullquote]The proposal limits the eligible retailers to those with 10,000 square feet and prohibits gas stations and convenience stores from getting licenses.[/pullquote] (Current state stores are grandfathered in if they get a buyer.)
The state grocery association said the initiative would bring in "hundreds of millions of additional revenue to the state and local governments." The current tax (generating about $8.5 million a year from retailers) would be kept in place and the retailers would pay 17 percent of gross liquor sales to the state.
4. And more news from Olympia: In a 52-36 vote largely along party lines, the Democratic majority house passed a senate bill that expands family planning coverage for women, upping eligibility from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to those making 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
5. In non Olympia-related news, city council candidate Bobby Forch, the Seattle Department of Transportation employee who's running in the crowded race against incumbent Jean Godden, has picked up the endorsement of former city council member Judy Nicastro. Nicastro, who was a one-term council member who was a champion for renters' rights, lost her seat to Godden in 2003.
Nicastro has also maxed out to Dian Ferguson, who's running against council member Sally Clark.
6. In other council news: Spotted at this weekend's University Street Fair, City Council president Richard Conlin playing with his marimba jam band, Tumbuka.
The deal is largely modeled along the lines the governor proposed a few weeks ago, limiting the payout reforms to older workers (50 and up). Gregoire focused older workers rather than going along with a more sweeping change for all workers that conservatives previouslypassed out of the senate. Gregoire reasons that many older workers don't return to work anyway after getting injured. The house will take up the revised legislation today.
The compromise also tweaks the idea of one-time lump sum payments by creating a "structured settlement." This was done to address the concerns of labor representatives, who felt that workers in need of cash would be tempted to take one-time payments that were substantially lower than the amount they actually deserved over time.
However, the setup still amounts to a lump sum deal as opposed to the traditional as-needed payments over time, an equation that by definition will end up getting less money to injured workers. Indeed, the governor estimates the new payment system will save $880 million through 2015 in the form of lowered checks to injured workers.
2. A step toward liquor privatization passed the state senate this weekend. The bill, sponsored by Republican Sens. Joe Zarelli (R-18, Ridgefield) and Mike Hewit (R-16, Walla Walla) allows the state to take bids on privatizing its liquor distribution system. It passed 31-14 and is queued up for a public hearing and a vote in the house ways and means committee this afternoon.
3. In other booze news: Costco filed another liquor privatization initiative.
In response to the thumbs-down they got on last year's initiative, the proposal limits the eligible retailers to those with 10,000 square feet and prohibits gas stations and convenience stores from getting licenses. [pullquote]The proposal limits the eligible retailers to those with 10,000 square feet and prohibits gas stations and convenience stores from getting licenses.[/pullquote] (Current state stores are grandfathered in if they get a buyer.)
The state grocery association said the initiative would bring in "hundreds of millions of additional revenue to the state and local governments." The current tax (generating about $8.5 million a year from retailers) would be kept in place and the retailers would pay 17 percent of gross liquor sales to the state.
4. And more news from Olympia: In a 52-36 vote largely along party lines, the Democratic majority house passed a senate bill that expands family planning coverage for women, upping eligibility from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to those making 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
5. In non Olympia-related news, city council candidate Bobby Forch, the Seattle Department of Transportation employee who's running in the crowded race against incumbent Jean Godden, has picked up the endorsement of former city council member Judy Nicastro. Nicastro, who was a one-term council member who was a champion for renters' rights, lost her seat to Godden in 2003.
Nicastro has also maxed out to Dian Ferguson, who's running against council member Sally Clark.
6. In other council news: Spotted at this weekend's University Street Fair, City Council president Richard Conlin playing with his marimba jam band, Tumbuka.
Richard Conlin, seated in hat and vest.
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