Business & Economy
Business & Economy
Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks
Senate Democrats have reached an agreement with the White House to tighten the limits on who can receive the next round of stimulus checks as part of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, according to several Democratic sources.
‘It’s Madness’: American Factories Scramble To Secure Critical Supplies
Unexpectedly strong demand for furniture, appliances and other manufactured goods is providing a windfall to many of the country’s industries. But as factory gears spin faster to meet the surging demand, a big headache is emerging: Supply chains are getting stretched more than ever, and critical components are proving a lot harder to procure.
Northwest Prisoners Eligible For Stimulus Checks. But Getting Payout Behind Bars Is Complicated
Like many Americans, people behind bars are waiting to see if they will be getting checks from the federal government as part of the new stimulus bill — provided it passes Congress this month as expected. The majority of incarcerated people in Washington and Oregon were likely eligible for the first two rounds of relief money.
Governor Says No Washington Counties Will Move Back To Phase 1 Of Reopening – Yet
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said none of the state’s regions will revert back to more restrictive COVID-19 requirements under the state’s economic reopening plan under a pause in potential rollbacks the Democratic governor announced Thursday amid dropping case counts.
Washington-Based Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism,’ CEO Says
Costco plans to edge up its starting wage to $16 an hour starting next week, CEO W. Craig Jelinek said on Thursday, revealing plans that would propel his company ahead of most of its retail competitors.
How $1 Billion In Legal Marijuana Sales Gets Spent In Washington State
This year marks a milestone for the state’s legal pot industry. For the first time since voters approved recreational pot use nine years ago, the state of Washington is expected to collect more than $1 billion in marijuana sales taxes and fees over the course of its next two-year budget cycle.
Governor Signs $2.2B COVID Relief Package For Washington Schools, Businesses, Renters, Immigrants
A fresh round of federal aid will soon be flowing to Washington businesses and individuals hit hard by the COVID pandemic. On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a $2.2 billion relief package funded with money approved by Congress in December.
Pay-Per-Mile Tax Gets A Test Drive In Washington Legislature To Augment Gas Tax
Washington state senators have teed up a mileage-based tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as the first step toward changing how the state pays for road maintenance and other transportation needs. Policymakers expect gas tax revenue to decline long term. Oregon has been experimenting with a per-mile charge for years.
Why Bill Gates Is Investing Big Time In Farmland Across Washington And The Country
Seattle’s technology billionaires are many things: innovators, visionaries, philanthropists and some less polite descriptors, depending on whom you ask. But thanks to some scrupulous digging by industry journal The Land Report, which tracks land ownership across the country, we now know that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has another feather in his multi hyphenated career cap: America’s Top Private Owner of Farmland.
All Washington Counties Can Advance To Phase 2 Reopening As State Fixes Hospital Data
The south-central region of Washington’s 8-region area for coronavirus restrictions can immediately reopen. That news came Sunday from the state Department of Health. It means the counties encompassing Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities, Yakima and Ellensburg can advance to Phase 2.
Federal Budget Deficit Expected To Hit Second Largest Since World War II
Congressional forecasters are projecting a federal deficit of $2.3 trillion this fiscal year, even without the additional $1.9 trillion in spending that President Biden has proposed.
Washington Lawmakers Pass $2.2 Billion COVID Relief Bill, Now Heads To Governor’s Desk
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says he looks forward to signing a $2.2 billion COVID relief bill in the coming days. The measure cleared the Legislature Wednesday after a bipartisan vote in the state Senate.
