Senate Democrats Jobs Package

Investment

More green buildings, more green jobs

Every house should have the opportunity to be energy efficient and every home should be able to be heated affordably. Thousands of Washington houses and buildings leak heat and waste energy, driving heating costs through the roof.

We can close this window by performing energy assessments and weatherizing buildings that will reduce carbon emissions, utility bills and create local jobs. These jobs can provide work for thousands of unemployed and dislocated workers in our communities, retrofitting leaky homes and installing energy efficient options. Existing apprenticeship and training programs can be enhanced and modified to train this work force of tomorrow.

 "There are thousands of homes and businesses in our state that can save money with home based technologies like solar. We aim to empower communities and local workers to do energy assessments and make needed improvements to save money and reduce greenhouse gases." Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island

The energy efficient materials needed are right here in Washington. Our innovative renewable energy industry is surging ahead, creating technology that will fuel our energy needs for the future. The backbone of this industry will be local jobs. This session, Washington State Democrats will encourage incentives for these “ready to install” renewable energy facilities and energy efficient products such as solar. Gone are the days of shipping labor overseas and relying on foreign fossil fuels. Washington jobs will create, install and maintain our energy independence.

“We will ask housing agencies, utility districts and advocacy groups to partner in their clean energy efforts.”
Sen. Phil Rockefeller, Bainbridge Island

New private-sector jobs

Stimulating private investment in our communities often relies on making public improvements.  This year, Senate Democrats propose the creation of a community revitalization financing tool to empower local communities to make the investments in roads, sewers, environmental remediation, and other infrastructure needed to spur private sector investment and job creation.  This tool will enable communities to have growth pay for growth, mirroring an approach used by nearly every other state. (SB 5045)

“Helping local governments invest in infrastructure like roads and sewers can leverage our tax dollars by moving forward with construction projects that provide jobs in the short term but will also create the infrastructure needed to revitalize our communities in the long term.” Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.  During these challenging economic times we must ensure Washington is a good place for small businesses can grow jobs – where entrepreneurs can start-up successfully and where existing businesses can weather the economic storm.  With that in mind, Senate Democrats will propose a job creation tax credit for small businesses that create new family wage jobs.  This will be a tool to provide tax relief to small businesses while incentivizing what our economy needs – more good jobs. (Sen. Derek Kilmer)

To put people to work in the short-term and to lay the foundation for job growth in the long-term, we must see new construction move forward.  While much of the attention has focused on public works projects, Senate Democrats will also propose a new strategy to encourage private sector investments in new construction.  By providing a sales tax deferral or exemption for investments in new construction in key industries, we can encourage private investments to move forward.  (Sen. Derek Kilmer)

Regulatory and environmental review shouldn’t get in the way of private sector investment and job creation. It’s time to reexamine our process to make sure they work efficiently. We can reduce paperwork and streamline regulatory review so that so-called “ready to go” projects are truly ready to go. And projects that bring a net environmental benefit deserve special consideration.

“Regulatory review is important, but it can be streamlined without losing our safeguards. We need to make sure projects that create jobs and improve competitiveness aren’t delayed down for no good reason.” Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup