Loomis small business bill heads to governor

Legislature also passes bill to make health care more affordable for small businesses

March 12, 2008 

OLYMPIA – If you read the Wall Street Journal or watched business news on cable, you'd get the impression that our economy revolves entirely around giant companies like Boeing, Microsoft and Costco.

"Those businesses are important, but the fact is that most new jobs are created by small businesses," said Rep. Liz Loomis (D-Snohomish). "And every global leader like Boeing and Microsoft started small, often with two people working out of a garage. Small businesses are the engine for innovation and jobs."

Small businesses -- 20 or fewer workers -- make up 93 percent of businesses in the state. That's why Loomis, a small business owner herself, has focused on laws to boost the creation and growth of small companies.

Cutting red tape
Gov. Christine Gregoire is set to sign one Loomis law (House Bill 3126) after it passed the House and Senate with unanimous votes. 

"This bill cuts red tape for businesses operating in a number of cities," Loomis said. "Say you ship your products around the state - it's a nightmare to comply with all the tax rates and licensing requirements that different cities and counties charge. This law makes doing business around the state easier, so more companies can grow beyond their home city."

Four Republicans co-sponsored House Bill 3126. Loomis said she is proud of how Republicans and Democrats have worked together this session on behalf of small companies.

More affordable health care
Health care costs are another big issue for small business.

"It's a catch-22 for small business owners," Loomis said. "If you can't afford to offer health benefits, you can lose your best workers to jobs that do. But if you do offer health coverage for families, the rising costs every year eat into your budget like a cancer."

Loomis cosponsored House Bill 2560, a reform to make small business owners and workers eligible for group health plans, which are less expensive than individual plans.

It's also a myth that people without health coverage are unemployed. The largest group of adults without health insurance have full-time jobs. “It's just that they work for small firms, that can’t afford the coverage,” said Loomis. “We should consider any idea to help make insurance affordable and accessible to small business owners and their employees