Independent contractors would face possible fines under Senate bill 6575 now in the House Rules Committee.

The bill would cause workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance costs to rise for contractors who hired more than one subcontractor to do work for them. The requirement, in an amendment to the bill, aims to make sure that all contractors working in the state are registered with Labor & Industries. read more »

Only a few days remain of the 2010 legislative session. During these final days, the Legislature must adopt a balanced supplemental budget. A few days ago, the governor signed the bill that suspends the Taxpayer Protection Act, Initiative 960 www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i960.pdf. This is the measure voters approved in November 2007 that required the Legislature to reach a two-thirds majority to raise taxes. Now that the measure is suspended, only a simple majority is needed to raise taxes. read more »

The City of Port Orchard is preparing a park plan for the recently annexed 63.5 acre McCormick Village Park located north of Old Clifton Road. A kickoff meeting for the park planning effort is scheduled for March 15, at 7 p.m. at Port Orchard City Hall, 216 Prospect Street, in Port Orchard. The park plan kickoff will be a part of the regular Port Orchard Planning Commission meeting. This kickoff meeting with the Planning Commission and the attending public will be the first step for the McCormick Village Park planning process to identify a vision and goals for the park, and ultimately develop alternatives for potential use, design, and development of the park property. read more »

The Kitsap County Commissioners are seeking applications from residents who are interested in serving the community on the Kitsap County Board of Equalization. The board considers appeals received on the assessed value of properties in Kitsap County. Members review cases and determine if there should be a change in personal and real property assessments. read more »

The U.S. Small Business Administration released a proposed rule aimed at expanding federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSB). The proposed rule is available for public comment for 60 days.

The proposed rule is part of the Obama Administration’s overall commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts, in particular those owned by women, minorities and veterans. read more »

I feel it is important for citizens to know why I voted against Senate Bill 6130, the measure that suspended the Taxpayer Protection Act, Initiative 960. The initiative that was approved by voters in November 2007 requires the Legislature to have a two-thirds approval to raise taxes.

I joined with my House Republican colleagues in more than 10 hours of debate on the House floor, arguing that SB 6130 should be set aside indefinitely. I opposed this measure for several reasons: read more »

President Obama and Democrats in Congress say that starting over on health-care reform is akin to stonewalling. They are wrong, just as wrong as those who want to do nothing.

The problem is there is too much testosterone flying around the nation’s capitol and Americans are tired of the antics and political gamesmanship. It’s time to give them all an ice cold shower and send them back to work.

Reforming health care is not about social engineering; it is not about jamming an unpopular and expensive experiment down our throats. It is about building upon what is working and fixing what is not. read more »

I listened as people testified on the impacts of the House tax proposal. Two rooms had to be set aside for the crowds that came to town. Lobbyists were not allowed to testify until as many others could speak in the two-hour hearing.

As the hearing came to a close most legislators said they were not happy about the situation. But in the end, the tax bill passed out of committee on a party-line vote. Class sizes trumped jobs. read more »