House jobs bills would ‘jumpstart’ economy

OLYMPIA (Feb. 24) — The House Capital Budget Committee heard testimony on Thursday that a bipartisan $1.3 billion jobs package would stem the tide of persistent joblessness in the construction industry, invest in public infrastructure that would spur private-sector growth, and boost the state economy — and its operating budget. Supporters have referred to the legislation as the Washington State Infrastructure Jobs Bond.

Labor and business interests are working together to support three bills — HBs 2168, 2792 and 2793 — that The Olympian reports was crafted by Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) and Rep. Judy Warnick (R- Moses Lake). The plan is to jumpstart previously planned public works projects across the state by relying on bonds backed by existing tax revenues, such as toxics fees and lottery revenue.

Here’s Thursday’s testimony by a panel that supports the jobs package: Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council; David Myers, Executive Secretary of the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council; Rebecca Johnson, WSLC Government Affairs Director; Lonnie Johns-Brown of the National Organization of Women; and Sharon Ness of the United Food and Commercial Workers.