OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Legislature on Friday passed a measure that would prevent a dramatic increase in unemployment taxes paid by businesses and increase the minimum weekly benefit for unemployed workers starting in July.
The House passed the measure on a 89-8 vote, just two days after the Senate passed the measure on a 42-7 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee, who is expected to sign it next week.
Under the measure, the state’s businesses would see relief from unemployment taxes, including reductions in bills due in April. Because the bill has an emergency clause, it would take effect as soon as Inslee signs it.
The measure would prevent $1.7 billion in automatic unemployment insurance tax increases from taking effect from 2021 to 2025, including $920 million this year due to last year’s pandemic-induced layoffs.
The bill would also boost the minimum weekly unemployment rate for workers who make between $21,000 and $27,800 per year, from $201 to $270 per week, starting in July.
The bill would also allow high-risk workers who cannot work from home to voluntarily quit and still receive benefits, and would waive charges for an employer who reduces operations or shuts down due to an infectious public health emergency.
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