“Keep it simple.” This old saying is more than a bumper sticker slogan, it’s a principle that is especially important when it comes to taxes and regulations.

Washington employers have been working for decades to simplify our state’s tax and regulatory policies. Currently, employers must work their way through a maze of complex, overlapping and often contradictory regulations and tax rules that differ from one city to the next, one county to the next.

It’s like playing a game that has 50 different sets of rules.

Wrestling with those costly and cumbersome requirements means employers — particularly small employers — spend time and money on paperwork that could be better spent creating jobs.

That’s why Gov. Gregoire is supporting tax simplification legislation. The governor wants to make it easier for all businesses, especially small businesses, to calculate and pay their Business and Occupation (B&O) taxes.

B&O taxes are assessed on a business’ gross income, regardless of profit. The state imposes a B&O tax, but local jurisdictions do as well. The amount of the local B&O taxes, as well as how they’re calculated, varies from one jurisdiction to the next.

Gregoire describes the situation this way:  “For Washington businesses, especially small business owners who operate with little help, paying state and local B&O taxes is at best complicated and at worse a nightmare.”

Under the governor’s proposal, the state of Washington would be the single collector of all local and state B&O taxes, and the state would rebate to each local jurisdiction their share of the tax — similar to how the state currently handles state and local sales taxes.

The governor also wants to create a central state website where people could apply for or renew state and local business licenses, eliminating the need for similar websites currently operated in more than 50 cities around the state.

“It will save businesses money and aggravation, reduce state and local government red tape and make Washington a friendlier place to set up a business,” notes Gregoire.

But some of the state’s largest cities are pushing back against the governor’s proposal, saying they’ll lose millions if tax simplification becomes law.

Seattle authorities say the city could lose between $23 million and $44 million a year. Tacoma officials estimate their city will lose $4 to $7 million a year. Critics say cities will lose out on millions in tax penalties and interest — money that would now go to the state — and city officials fear that state auditors will not be as aggressive in pursuing tax cheats.

Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett and Bellingham say they’re already working on a plan to simplify local tax payments, and lawmakers should wait to see how their project works before passing the governor’s plan.

Gregoire rejects the cities’ criticisms. Noting that the state currently collects and rebates local sales taxes, the governor said, “These horror stories of how they’re losing money? No they’re not. We will give it back. I think it’s the right thing to do for the small businesses of the state of Washington.”

Gregoire points out that 95 percent of Washington employers are small businesses with fewer than 50 workers. “If we can make it easier and cheaper for them to do business,” explained the governor, “they can afford to add more employees.”

“If we ever need a reform that helps business,” says Gregoire, “this is it.”

About the Author
Don Brunell is the president of the Association of Washington Business. Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,800 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

“Having our students involved in FIRST is not just about increasing educational opportunities in science and technology; but instilling well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication and leadership,” said Koji Yugawa, lead mentor. “jcpenney’s sponsorship represents a commitment to building the future leaders of tomorrow by making youth participation in FIRST possible.”

jcpenney’s sponsorship of 900 FIRST teams this season reinforces the company’s philanthropic goal to introduce FIRST to more schools and communities throughout theU.S. and encourage greater participation among minority and female students. jcpenney’s legacy of working with national youth organizations through its signature charity, jcpenney afterschool, helps make it possible for more students to become involved in life-enriching learning opportunities during the after school hours.

Schools, communities and government acknowledge the need to improve the country’s global economic competitiveness by increasing aptitudes in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among America’s youth. Studies show that FIRST students are three times more likely to major in engineering in college, 10 times as likely to have an apprenticeship their freshman year, more than twice as likely to pursue a science or technology career, and nearly four times as likely to pursue a career in engineering.

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $14 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL™) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism^™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

The benefit, FridayFest, will take place on February 10^th from 5pm-8:00pm. Each month they transform the market into a shopping party by turning up the music and providing free Wine, Beer, and Food Tastings throughout the market. There will be a silent auction and door prizes, with items and services generously donated by local businesses. Your Local Market will donate 10% of Friday’s online and in-store sales. In addition, a local donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has generously offered to match funds.

Camp Korey, located in Carnation, Wash., offers services for families dealing with childhood life-altering and life-threatening illnesses. The camp provides hospital outreach services, summer camps, family weekends, youth programs, athletic programs, and more. Because the camp serves thousands of children and families each year free of charge, they rely on the generosity of the community.

Jason Brown, owner and founder of Your Local Market, expressed his appreciation for Camp Korey, saying “Camp Korey provides essential services for families dealing with childhood illnesses. They’re an important part of our community and I want Your Local Market to put our heart and money back into our local community. Your Local Market is honored to support Camp Korey.”

Your Local Market invites you to join them in giving back to the community by shopping at Your Local Market on Friday, and joining them for FridayFest. Valet parking provided.

About Your Local Market

Your Local Market brings you the best of local, organic, and natural products alongside the mainstream brands you trust. Your Local Market makes it easy for you to do all of your shopping in one place without having to shop a specialty store for your organics and a conventional store for your staples or guilty pleasures. Your Local Market is conveniently located in downtown Bellevue and, in addition to in-store shopping, offers online shopping for curbside pick-up or home delivery. To learn more, visit www.YourLocalMarket.com.

About Camp Korey

Established in 2005, Camp Korey is a place for kids with serious and life-altering medical conditions to come and forget about limitations, try new things, and reclaim a lost sense of childhood – all at no cost to their families. Camp Korey reaches thousands of campers and families through medically sound, adaptive programs designed to foster creativity, camaraderie and empowerment. For more information please visit www.campkorey.org.

Here is their listing from the Eastside Business Directory at BellevueBusinessJournal.com:

Stern Financial Group

MIVAL was the inspiration of a handful of local artists in 1961. At that time they agreed to form a network of local artists to meet regularly to discuss art, show and sell their artwork, and to provide art demonstrations to members. For fifty years, MIVAL has continued to provide inspiration and support to numerous artists in our community.

We have painters, fiber artists, photographers, as well as artists who work in glass, jewelry, ceramics, encaustic media and film. We hold regular meetings and exhibit our work at over ten venues in our community.

In 2009, MIVAL opened a gallery in the spirit of a cooperative. Each member takes part in the support and management of the gallery. Membership is open to all members of the larger MIVAL organization. All MIVAL members have opportunities to show their work at the gallery as well as other venues on Mercer Island.

Join us for gallery receptions on the first Friday of the month from 5 – 8 pm and see our CALL FOR ENTRIES page for open calls for upcoming art shows.

Here is their listing from the Eastside Business Directory at BellevueBusinessJournal.com:

Mercer Island Visual Arts League and Arts Gallery

Carroll earns the award in recognition of his creation of A Better Seattle, the organization he launched in 2011 to combat youth and gang violence in our community.

“We’re thrilled that Coach Carroll has transplanted such a successful program from Los Angeles to help create ‘A Better Seattle’ in his new home,” said Justice Bobbe J. Bridge (ret.), founding president and CEO of the Center for Children & Youth Justice. “Not only is it combating violence and improving the lives of our young people, it has galvanized several key organizations to work together to benefit our community long into the future.”

The Center’s own efforts on gang intervention include initiating the South King County Coordinating Council on Gangs, which is working toward a comprehensive and cooperative process to address gangs throughout communities in South King County and Bellevue.

Partnering with the YMCA and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, A Better Seattle – also supported by Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer – promotes and funds efforts to deploy former street youth as outreach workers to intervene directly with vulnerable young people. The goal is to help youth avoid gangs or get out safely if they are already involved. The local effort builds upon the success of A Better L.A. Foundation, which Coach Carroll founded when he was coaching at USC.

“We are honored to receive the Norm Maleng Advocate for Youth Award,” Coach Carroll said. “Our work with A Better Seattle and A Better L.A. is in the spirit of what Mr. Maleng believed. And that work is built on the notion that the greatest of things can happen for young people – especially for the most at-risk and oftentimes overlooked young people – if we provide them with a little coaching and direction. Our street outreach workers are transforming our community by reducing violence and connecting with young people in a way that creates hope and helps them understand what they can become.”

Named in honor of the late King County Prosecuting Attorney, the Norm Maleng Advocate for Youth Award recognizes those who show exemplary leadership, dedication and commitment to the youth and families of Washington state. Previous recipients include the Maleng family, the law firm Perkins Coie LLC, Anne Ramsay-Jenkins of the College Success Foundation and Jim Mallahan.

In addition to the award presentation, the breakfast will include a keynote address by Gerald Hankerson, who at 18 was convicted of being an accessory to murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Behind bars, he earned his high school diploma, started a program for at-risk youth, participated in a variety of causes aimed at bettering inmates’ lives, and became an advocate for justice system reforms. In 2009, after 22 years in prison, his bid for clemency was successful, and today he works to spread the message that “good things happen when you take personal responsibility for your actions and make good choices.”

Guests at the March 1 event are asked to make a tax-deductible contribution of $150 or more. To register or to learn more, visit the website at www.ccyj.org.

Founded in 2006, the Center for Children & Youth Justice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to shaping better lives for children and youth involved in Washington’s foster care and juvenile justice systems. In partnership with parents, advocates and policymakers, the Center develops and advances innovative approaches to systemic changes that will support kids, stabilize families and strengthen communities.

The keynote, beginning at 7:00 PM PT on Wednesday, Feb. 8, will explore the challenges, growth opportunities and best practices for technology startups in the mobile space in the UK and US

London Calling is dedicated to celebrating the important relationship between the tech communities in the UK and the Pacific Northwest. To purchase a ticket to attend the event, or for more information on London Calling and its sponsor, the British American Business Council of the Pacific Northwest, please visit: http://www.babcpnw.org/event.html.

“Over the past few years, the expansion of mobile technology has lead to a boom in the mobile industry,” said Mike Buhrmann. “Finsphere is taking the time to educate and advise mobile startups on the skills and resources necessary to jump-start their businesses to grow successfully in both local and international markets.”

Finsphere recently closed an $11.3 million investment round led by Vodafone Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Vodafone Group. With the investment, Tobin Ireland, Group Director of Commercial Development at Vodafone, joined the Finsphere Board of Directors. Participating in the investment round were existing Finsphere investors Mohr Davidow Ventures, Shasta Ventures, and Frazier Technology Ventures.

About Finsphere Corporation

Based in Bellevue, Washington, Finsphere was founded in 2007 to enable wireless carriers to help protect their customers through identity authentication services. Finsphere utilizes sophisticated analytics to provide a platform for the development of non-intrusive, privacy enhancing services to protect individuals and data across all industry segments. For more information, visit www.finsphere.com.

Tom and Jeannine Dealy and their team of experienced craftsmen at Your Total Renovation are full-service remodeling specialists that can take any room and transform it into a living space you will feel at home in. Whatever your style or taste in décor, our skilled team will work with you to create an environment that’s right for you. No matter how big or small the project, from an entire home remodel to a single room makeover, we guarantee it will be a space you will fall in love with.* Kitchens & Pantries* Bathrooms & Spas* Mudrooms & Laundryrooms* Entertainment Rooms* Room Additions* Bedrooms & Suitesrn* Attic Conversions & Basementsrn* Outdoor Kitchens & Patiosrn* Accessibility & Independent Living* Home Maintenance & Repair

The Gift Gourmet was started in 1993 by Margaret Rodgers. Her goal is to help you make gift giving memorable for your family, friends and associates.  

For almost 20 years, The Gift Gourmet has created stunning and incredibly tasteful gift baskets and boxes. We emphasize and specialize in providing gifts that feature products from the Northwest, including local wines, salmon, crackers, cheeses, coffee, cookies, chocolates and so much more. Treat your friends, relatives or business associates to something special from The Gift Gourmet.

“I am saddened to receive this notice, but understand Amalia has to do what is in the best interest of her family at this time,” said School Board President Paul Mills.  “While Amalia led the District, she kept the Board briefed of her family situation in California and her decision to take a family medical leave was not a surprise to us.  I think most people can appreciate how difficult it can be to help a parent with medical issues and we support her decision.”

During Cudeiro’s medical leave, Assistant Superintendent Eva Collins has served as Interim Superintendent.   Collins has agreed to continue as Interim Superintendent while the Board discusses a next step.