![Washington's veteran-hire tax credits expired on July 1 after the House Democratic majority failed to bring House Bill 1005 to the floor for a vote during the 2023 legislative session.](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Large_Clark-County-Today-House-majority-misses-big-opportunity-to-help-veterans-and-local-businesses-by-failing-to-renew-tax-credits.jpg)
The legislation would have extended and doubled the existing public utility tax and business and occupation tax credits for employers who hire a veteran
Washington’s veteran-hire tax credits expired on July 1 after the House Democratic majority failed to bring House Bill 1005 to the floor for a vote during the 2023 legislative session.
The legislation by Rep. Peter Abbarno would have extended and doubled the existing public utility tax (PUT) and business and occupation (B&O) tax credits for employers who hire a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or spouse of an active-duty military member for a full-time position for at least two consecutive full-calendar quarters.
“Helping veterans and local businesses should have been a top priority during the 2023 session,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia. “Veterans and their families have already given so much to our community – this policy helps them with financial security and helps business fill much needed positions with highly qualified individuals.”
The Legislature established the tax credits in 2015 with the passage of Senate Bill 6057. In 2020, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) performed a review on the two tax credits and recommended the Legislature modify the preferences to better serve unemployed veterans.
Following the committee’s recommendations, Abbarno’s legislation would have extended the program until July 1, 2033 and doubled the tax credit amount from $1,500 to $3,000. It would also have expanded the credit to veteran spouses and spouses of active-duty military members on the heels of some of the worst recruitment outcomes seen by the Defense Department service branches in decades.
Additionally, the bill would have ended the requirement that veterans be unemployed for at least 30 days and expanded eligibility to seasonal employers.
“In the upcoming session, we should bring this effort to the forefront and do the right thing for our veterans and military families,” added Abbarno. “This is not a partisan issue and should not be treated as such. We have so many talented and experienced military families and small businesses that can benefit from the incentives in this program. Active military, reservists, veterans, and their families should be recognized for their sacrifices made both domestic and abroad.”
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month. Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11.
The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to convene on January 8.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans houserepublicans.wa.gov.
Also read:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.