Gov. Inslee signs bill to delay long-term care payroll tax

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Gov. Jay Inslee has signed the first two bills to pass in this year’s legislative session into law. His action comes after nearly three weeks into this year’s scheduled 60-day session.

Senators approved HB 1732, to delay collection of the unpopular long-term care payroll tax by a 46-3 vote on Jan. 26 and immediately sent it to the governor, who signed it into law othe next day.

Senators also passed HB 1733, which would expand the exemptions allowed under the program. That bill passed by a 38-11 vote and was also signed by the governor.

Both bills were approved by the House by similar wide majorities earlier in January. HB 1732 has an “emergency clause,” so it will take effect immediately to stop payroll tax collections. HB 1733 will take effect on June 9.

Republicans joined majority Democrats in voting for these bills but argued during floor debate that the unpopular “WA Cares” long-term care program should be scrapped so that the state can focus on making private industry plans more affordable.

Attention now turns to other prominent issues as lawmakers approach the first cut-off deadline this week. Among them are bills to provide legislative oversight over emergency powers under which Gov. Inslee has conducted one-man rule on matters related to COVID-19 for nearly two years.

Senate Bill 5909 would authorize the leaders of both parties in the House of Representatives and Senate to terminate a state of emergency if the Legislature is not in session, and it has been more than 90 days since the state of emergency was declared. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing today in the Senate Committee on State Government and Elections.

The bill is notable because it is sponsored entirely by Democrats who are seeking legislative oversight over a governor of their own party.

Senator Mark Mullett (D-Issaquah), one of the eight sponsors of the bill, said in an interview on KEPR-TV in Pasco: “We’re one of the only states to not have a special legislative session during either 2020 or 2021. I think it’s really difficult to accept or be able to explain that. These are really important decisions about businesses being shut down, sectors of our economy completely closed, and yet the Legislature had no ability to be involved in that.”