Government Affairs
Anthony Anton, Washington Hospitality members appointed to Tourism Marketing Authority Board
OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the nine members of the new Washington Tourism Marketing Authority Board (WTMA). Anthony Anton, President and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association
Washington Hospitality Association 2018 Legislative Primary Endorsements
OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, June 26, the Washington Hospitality Association Government Affairs Committee met to endorse legislative candidates ahead of the 2018 primary election. During May and June, the State
Seattle City Council repeals controversial tax on jobs
In a surprising move, the Seattle City Council voted on Tuesday, June 12, to repeal the tax on jobs it unanimously passed less than a month ago. The controversial tax
Washington Hospitality Association recognizes 2018 Legislative Heroes
OLYMPIA –The Washington Hospitality Association is proud to recognize the following 2018 Legislative Heroes: Sen. Christine Rolfes, D- Kitsap County, Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, Rep. Kristine Reeves, D- Federal
Seattle publishes updated administrative rules for PSST, but is still finalizing definition of “hourly compensation” for PSST purposes
On Monday, June 4, Seattle published updated administrative rules for the City’s Paid Sick and Safe Time ordinance which was updated in late 2017. The update incorporated the more generous provisions of the
City of Edmonds Moves Toward Disposable Plastics Ban
The Edmonds City Council passed a resolution Wednesday night stating its intent to ban single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery provided by the food service industry by 2020. This marks
Seattle City Council approves $50 million tax on jobs
On Monday, May 14, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to tax jobs at businesses with more than $20 million in annual taxable gross receipts in Seattle. This new revenue
Seattle City Council is working quickly on a jobs tax
The Seattle City Council wants to establish a tax on jobs to raise another $75 million to spend on its response to homelessness, and it is moving forward quickly to
L & I Rulemaking begins on Salary Threshold for Overtime Exempt Employees
This week the state Department of Labor & Industries held its first stakeholder meeting to begin rulemaking on the salary threshold for Executive, Administrative and Professional exemptions from the Minimum
Major grant awarded to Education Foundation
The Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation received great news today! The state Department of Commerce announced three winners of the Skilled Worker Awareness grant. The Education Foundation was awarded more
Tip Pooling – HERO Manual
On March 23, 2018, Congress passed critical funding legislation that included repealing the tip pool rule that barred certain employers from setting up tip-pooling arrangements under which tipped employees can share
Governor signs tourism bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2018 Washington joins rest of the country with new statewide tourism program OLYMPIA – Washington state is no longer the only state in the U.S.
Congressional Win Addresses Labor Shortage
On March 23, Congress passed funding legislation allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security to raise the H-2B visa cap based on economic need after consulting with the Secretary of Labor.
Top priority tourism legislation headed to governor’s desk
UPDATE: The bill, as Second Engrossed Fourth Substitute Senate Bill 5251 has been concurred in the Senate and is headed to the governor’s desk! OLYMPIA – Engrossed Fourth Substitute Senate
Eye on Hospitality: The Importance of Hill Climb 2018
By: Nicole Vukonich Hill Climb is more than a day filled with briefing presentations and meetings. Hill Climb is all about making connections with your fellow owners and operators in