Kilmer bills promoting local jobs clear first hurdle

OLYMPIA — As the 2008 Legislature finished its second week, the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Management Committee and the Senate Higher Education Committee passed several bills sponsored by the vice-chair of those committees, Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. Kilmer successfully passed three bills from the Economic Development Committee and three bills from the Higher Education Committee – all with unanimous bi-partisan support.

On Friday, the Economic Development Committee passed Kilmer’s proposal to increase funding to Washington Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which provide assistance, training and support services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Senate Bill 6296 would provide a Business & Occupations tax credit for contributions made to SBDCs, which currently get minimal state funding.

“I want to do everything we can to see small businesses start-up and survive here in Washington. Small business development centers provide critical support to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout our state,” said Kilmer. “This bill would provide funding for SBDCs like the ones in Bremerton and Tacoma, enabling them to serve more clients.”

Also passed this week were two bills Kilmer is sponsoring to strengthen our state’s Community Empowerment Zone (CEZ) program, which was created in 1993 to encourage public and private investment in low-income areas with high rates of unemployment. Downtown Bremerton and Tacoma were designated as two of Washington’s six Community Empowerment Zones.

Senate Bill 6323 will increase the total amount of B&O tax credits allowed for the CEZ program each year, while Senate Bill 6626 will encourage major corporate headquarters to locate in Community Empowerment Zones by providing a deferral of the Sales & Use Tax that would normally be incurred in the course of construction.

“Having a business locate a corporate headquarters of 300 people or more and invest millions of dollars in our local communities can make a huge economic impact. Since our neighboring states have similar incentives, I want to do be sure that we are competitive and that we encourage that private investment.”

Kilmer is also sponsoring Senate Bill 6319 to extend the application deadline for Sales & Use Tax deferral programs to ensure businesses aren’t denied tax relief on a technicality.

The Senate Higher Education Committee also passed Kilmer bills focused on enhancing Washington’s workforce training efforts. Senate Bill 6295 establishes several pilot projects in which colleges and employers can work together to offer workplace-based educational programs for workers. “It’s often difficult for someone who has a family to travel to college campuses to obtain the training they need,” Kilmer said. “In the testimony on this bill, we heard from workers and from the business community that this will provide greater educational opportunities and accessibility for working adults.”

Another Kilmer bill, Senate Bill 6262, establishes an economic development and diversification tuition incentive program to assist employers in their efforts to recruit highly skilled employees, while Senate Bill 6261 enhances efforts to provide educational opportunities to young adults who are unemployed.

“We need to help Washington’s businesses compete and help Washington’s workers develop the skills they need. I’m proud that each of these bills received unanimous, bi-partisan support. I believe that’s a strong indication that these proposals will help move Washington forward.”

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