washington business
And even without a government mandate, many Washington
employers already offer paid sick leave, paid vacation and
401(k) retirement plans.
All of these costs added together put pressure on Washington employers and make it harder for them to compete in a
global economy, particularly manufacturing companies that
are more likely to compete against companies in foreign countries than in neighboring states or across the street.
“If you accept that the core tax structure
has a negative impact on business
— which I do — where do you go?”
— Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle
what employers are doing for the environment
Just as employers are already paying more than their share of
the state’s tax burden, they are also leading by example when
it comes to protecting the environment.
The latest AWB Greenbook shows that Washington is
among the greenest of the green. For example, Washington has
the sixth-cleanest state economy in the country and counts
more than 100,000 in so-called “green” jobs.
The state’s residents drive less and use less gas per person
than most states, and they are more likely than residents of
other states to use public transit or carpool.
A major factor in Washington’s gre