Our Impact
Some of our key statewide legislative accomplishments involve reducing cost increases for retailers and their customers. Government regulations come with costs that need to be understood and weighed to encourage economic growth.
Helped to pass a service animal definition bill
This narrowed the definition of pets allowable in stores to address retailers concerned about shoppers with exotic, potentially dangerous or unhealthy animal companions.
Blocked several proposed product regulations
Defeated attempts to add regulatory costs on products such as batteries, lighting and paint. These costs would increase the price of such merchandise and discourage sales.
Worked to repeal a Seattle payroll tax
This reversal by the Seattle City Council removed an expense that would have been decided by the number of employees on retail payrolls.
Sales tax holiday for back to school
Earned Legislature committee hearings to decide whether to allow a weekend sales tax exemption for buying back-to-school items.
Stopped Initiative 517
I-517 would have allowed petition gatherers to clog entrances and exits of retail stores. This protects levels of service and saves on administration costs associated with a new policy.
Prevented the elimination of the out-of-state resident sales tax exemption
The measure would have cost retailers over $45 million in lost sales. This outcome preserves an incentive for qualified out-of-state shoppers to buy merchandise in Washington State.
No general tax increases
We stopped an attempt to eliminate or alter the out-of-state sales tax exemption and a massive B and O tax surcharge. Unfortunately the legislature passed a bill to retroactively impose the state estate tax
Repeal of Seattle head tax
Washington Retail successfully helped to win a repeal of a Seattle tax that was to be charged on the size of payroll for retail establishments.
Sales Tax Holiday for Back-to-School
Introduced legislation, met with key legislators and staff, had hearings in both the House and Senate which moved it out of committee.
Blocked several proposed product regulations
Defeated an expansion of the children’s safe product act. Defeated the batteries, CFLs and paint bills.
Stopped new and expanded Mandatory Leave laws
Stopped several attempts to adopt new and expand existing leave laws such as a Seattle style “safe and sick” leave and our state family leave law.
Stopped all attempts to alter Workers’ Comp system
Stopped all attempts by labor and the trial attorneys to alter the existing system. Had hearings and votes on several pro-business workers’ comp bills. Unfortunately they did not move through the House.
