My thanks to the Washington Policy Center for bringing my attention to this. The state Department of Labor and Industries sent out a news release yesterday, saying the minimum wage in Washington would remain $8.55 an hour.

TUMWATER – Washington’s minimum wage will not increase in 2010 but will remain the same at $8.55 an hour because the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months did not increase.

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recalculates the state’s minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688, which was approved by Washington voters in 1998. The law requires that the state minimum wage be increased for inflation each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 months ending each Aug. 31.
Read more »

Washington State Employment Commissioner Karen Lee is among 13 state officials with similar jobs who are back East, trying to persuade Congress to extend unemployment benefits by another 13 weeks.

Currently, the combination of state and federal jobless benefits could continue for as long as 79 weeks in Washington state.

“Many unemployment claimants are running out of benefits now, and it will start increasing exponentially by the end of September.” said Sheryl Hutchison, state Employment Security spokeswoman. “But the benefit program itself expires at the end of December.”

The extension would be for federal benefits.
Thanks to some other …

Read more »

It will be Wednesday the 16.

Governor Gregoire tells local stimulus story

Tacoma, WA – September 9, 2009 – City Club welcomes Governor Christine Gregoire at the club’s monthly lunch meeting. Governor Gregoire will discuss stimulus dollars being spent in Pierce County and the jobs created and sustained from those projects. She will also take audience questions, time permitting.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Location: Landmark Convention Center
Rooftop Ballroom
47 St. Helens, Tacoma
Free parking
Time: 12:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $23 for members, $30 for guests (includes lunch), some $5.00 dessert/coffee only tickets at door
Advance reservations are needed by Monday, September 14 at 253-272-9561, or office@cityclubtacoma.org.
Read more »