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DECEMBER 6, 2022

Republicans unveil
Power Washington
energy plan

Three members of the Senate Republican Caucus recently unveiled a comprehensive energy plan that offers fair and reliable solutions to benefit all Washingtonians.
“It’s time for our state to create better energy policies,” said 14th District Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who is the ranking Republican on both the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. “Our Power Washington plan is the first step in taking a more reasonable approach when it comes to all phases of energy in our state.”
King was joined at a news conference unveiling the Power Washington energy package by Senate Republican leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and 7th District Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy.
“For too long, Washington families and businesses have been forced to endure the costs of unaffordable and questionable policies that have given us larger energy bills, less energy security, and little environmental improvement,” said Braun, who serves the 20th District. Read more...
L&I finalizes 4.8% increase
in 2023 workers’-comp rates

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has finalized an overall 4.8% average rate increase for 2023, being driven by “general wage inflation and increasing medical costs.” See L&I’s press release here.
“Other contributing factors were the 7.5% cost-of-living adjustment to time-loss rates and pension rates that went into effect in July based on the state’s average wage,” said Lauren Gubbe, director of AGC of Washington’s workers’ compensation plan and L&I Retro Advisory Committee member.
Unlike many states, Washington’s workers’-compensation rates are calculated on worker hours, not wages, so there is no “built-in” rate increase for insurance as wages increase. While the proposed rate increase for 2023 is 4.8%, a few construction-risk class rates decreased. Click here to see rates by risk class. Read more...
L&I releases wage-posting policy
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released an administrative policy to provide guidance on the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (RCW 49.58).
The law prohibits pay discrimination based on gender and promotes fairness among workers by addressing business practices that contribute to income disparities among genders. Employees and job applicants have rights under this law.
The administrative policy also addresses job posting requirements for employers brought about by the passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5761. Effective Jan. 1, employers with 15 or more employees must provide a wage scale or salary range, plus information on benefits and other compensation in their job postings.
The policy also provides guidance on the department’s existing interpretations of the act. Read more...
New Construction Economic Impact cards available
AGC has just published updated information from the University of Washington’s study of the economic impact of construction on the State of Washington.
2021 construction employment was 4.3% higher than in 2020 -- 286,600 people, or 10% of the private workforce -- and each dollar invested in new construction generates an additional $2.09 in state economic activity. We share this information with elected officials to let them know the importance of the construction industry to the state economy.
If you would like to receive a copy of the card, contact AGC’s Michele Willms or click here to view/download it in PDF form.
Capital-gains collection starts in April 2023
The Washington State Supreme Court ruled last week that the Dept. of Revenue (DOR) may collects income from the capital-gains income tax before the Court makes its ruling. As you may recall, a Douglas County judge ruled in March 2022 that the capital-gains income tax was unconstitutional. In November, the Attorney General asked the State Court for a stay of the lower court’s order pending review by the Supreme Court, which was granted -- meaning the DOR will be allowed to collect the revenue.
The tax will be imposed at 7% of Washington annual long-term capital gains (such as sale of stocks, bonds and other investments) that exceed more than $250,000 annually. State estimates for who will pay the tax are under one-quarter of 1 percent of the population.
Read more...
Get involved in AGC Government Affairs
AGC’s clout in Olympia is due not only to your excellent Government Affairs team, but also to the active involvement of AGC members. Active engaged members are by far the most effective weapon used by our lobbying team. You can bolster AGC’s clout by participating in any or all the following ways:
Legislative Huddle  Participate in our member-only weekly virtual Legislative Huddle meetings where your Government Affairs team will update you on what’s happening in Olympia, gather feedback on legislative proposals that affect construction, and ask for direction on positions as needed. The first Legislative Huddle of the 2023 legislative session is on Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 a.m. To sign-up, contact AGC’s Michele Willms.
Write  AGC’s legislative Action Alerts are a key tool used to educate legislators on a how a specific piece of legislation affects you, their constituents. Your personal messages to legislators are beneficial to your GA team’s efforts. We’ve made it easy for you to express your views with just a few mouse clicks, and even provide you with a letter you can send as-is, or tailor to your needs. Click Legislative Action Center to sign-up.
Testify  AGC’s lobbying efforts are strengthened with your voice -- and you no longer have to make the trek to Olympia to do so. If you feel intimidated, your GA team will help you prepare your testimony.
If you're interested in testifying, or have questions on how to get otherwise involved, contact AGC’s Michele Willms.
Holiday Open House and Public Officials Reception, next Monday
The holiday season is here! All AGCW members are invited to the AGC Holiday Open House and Officials Reception, next Monday, Dec. 12th at AGC Seattle. You'll join AGC leadership, public officials from around the area and your fellow AGC members for this merry occasion.
US Marine Corps representatives will also be on-hand once again to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots drive.
This event is free to members, but space is limited, so register today!
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
Creating a workforce that meets your needs

As reported in November, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is working in partnership with the AWB Institute to compile information into a resource that will guide program development, evaluation for equitable and improved outcomes for students. They have partnered again this year on a survey asking industries what credentials or certificates they value when they are hiring and that can be earned by high-school students within a few months of graduation.
You can help address the workforce shortage by letting them know what it takes to get hired in the construction industry. Please take a few minutes to answer this survey about non-degree credentials that are helpful — or required — in your workplace.
Feel free to share this survey with others who can help provide insight into this important issue, and thank you for your assistance. If you have any questions, contact Michele Willms.
Final days to save 2%
on AGC membership renewal

AGCW's 2023 membership-renewal period is drawing to a close -- still being done entirely on-line. Of course, you’ll need an AGCW user account to do so.
If you don’t yet have one, visit the AGCW homepage at www.agcwa.com, click the Member Log-In link at the top, and fill-out and submit the online form. You’ll then receive an auto-reply email (sometimes going to your spam folder!) and once you confirm that, you’re good to go.
Remember: you'll get a 2% discount on 2023 dues when you renew by Dec. 23 (Introductory memberships not eligible).
Questions or issues? Drop an email to Stacy Mullane.
LAST CALL!
Registration still open for
AGC-WSDOT 2023 Annual Meeting

The 2023 AGC-WSDOT Annual Meeting will be held on January 5 at the DoubleTree Suites Hilton at Southcenter in Seattle (a new location from previous years). The program includes updates from AGC-WSDOT teams, as well as WSDOT’s new business plan which includes future staffing levels and consultants, upcoming projects and workzone safety. The 2023 Partnering for Excellence in Construction Administration awards will also be presented, and there will be opportunities for networking.
Click here for the meeting agenda and to register. Registration closes on Dec. 27 or when capacity is reached.
If you have any questions or need help with registration, contact Michele Willms.
The AGC Education Foundation continues to offer virtual continuing-education classes in a live, interactive, remote environment. We are working closely with instructors to maintain high-quality training programs and are finding great success in the virtual environment.

CESCL: Stormwater BMPs for Construction

December 9-20 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm) - Remote class


MS Project 2: Managing a Schedule
December 21 (7:15 am - 12:15 pm)


Construction Quality Management
January 9 (7:30 am - 4:30 pm)


STP: Risk Management and Problem-Solving
January 9 (4:30 pm - 7:30 pm)


Visit the Education Foundation website
for a complete list of current class offerings.
is a publication of the
Associated General Contractors of Washington

Questions? Comments?
Please email Sean Lewis,
marketing director.

1200 Westlake Avenue N., Suite 301, Seattle Washington 98109
Copyright 2022, AGC of Washington. All rights reserved.

 
 
Life Sciences project breaks ground
(Lease Crutcher Lewis)
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Milestone reached for
Seattle Aquarium

(Turner)

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$234M interchange for I-405 in Kirkland
(Graham Contracting)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Scope expands for Wenatchee streetwork
(Selland Construction)
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New Norton Bldg. HQ
for Hines Seattle

(Sellen)

 
 
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