AWB, Washington Roundtable Launch JobMakers.com 2004.

News & Business Editors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2004

Web Site Tracks First Round of Competitiveness Bills in 2004

Legislature, Scores Lawmakers as JobMakers or JobKillers

The Association of Washington Business and Washington Roundtable have partnered again to launch the first round of bill analysis and lawmaker scoring on www.JobMakers.com. Introduced in 2003, the web site offers a comprehensive, one-stop resource for information on bills and referenda under consideration in Washington state. Analysis focuses on measures that could create or eliminate jobs in Washington, specifically tracking action taken by the governor state lawmakers on each issue.

This first round of analysis highlights 16 JobMaker bills moving through the 2004 Legislature. A selection of the bills posted on the site shows support for:

-- Economic development: high-tech tax incentives and a

cluster-based approach to development

-- Education: standards-based high school graduation 

requirements, charter schools and performance contracts in

higher education 

-- Infrastructure: incentives for renewable energy 

-- Workforce: workers compensation reform

-- Tax structure: tax incentives in rural counties

Bills are selected and posted on the web site according to specific criteria. A JobMaker bill:

-- makes the business tax burden more competitive with other

states;

-- reduces the cost or time associated with complying with state

regulations while maintaining environmental protections;

-- makes strategic investments in basic infrastructure;

-- accelerates or facilitates education, training, or investment

in high demand fields; or

-- creates clear incentives for investment in Washington.

Scoring for lawmakers has also been updated on this site. Thus far in 2004, 64 lawmakers are tied for the lead with 50 points each. Nine lawmakers have negative or "JobKiller" scores.

"JobMakers.com gives us a tool to objectively monitor how lawmakers respond to legislation that will help put people back to work in Washington. Our state's recovery from recession will be much slower than the nation and, consequently, we must be quicker to act if we want to protect the jobs we have and attract new ones," said Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business.

"Washington has lost 30 percent of its manufacturing base in the last decade and nearly 100,000 jobs just in the last three years. Clearly there is much work to be done to rebuild the economy, focus on job creation and put people back to work in the private sector," said Steve Mullin, interim executive director of the Washington Roundtable.

About JobMakers

JobMakers.com is an informational web site that examines bills, initiatives and referenda under consideration by elected officials and voters in Washington state. Supported by the Association of Washington Business and the Washington Roundtable, JobMakers.com offers a unique venue for Washingtonians to gather information on issues critical to state competitiveness.