and missed opportunities

By Association of Washington Business (AWB) Communications

The clouds have parted and the end of the 2023 legislative session is here. The Legislature adjourned on April 23, finishing on time after 105 days. With just hours to go, lawmakers passed a $69.8 billion two-year state operating budget.

AWB’s statement: The Association of Washington Business is encouraged to see lawmakers slow down spending growth after record growth in recent years. The budget also includes no new general tax increases. The Washington Research Council has details

• “These are positive steps, especially in light of the cooling we’re seeing in the economy and the continuing concern about the possibility of a recession,” AWB President Kris Johnson said.

Wins: This session, lawmakers took meaningful steps to address the state’s affordable housing crisis. The Legislature passed nine bills to increase housing supply and dedicated a record $1 billion for new housing investments. This is the most housing legislation lawmakers have passed in years. The bills include:

• The Legislature adopted legislation to increase “missing middle” housing in traditionally single-family neighborhoods. The policy is intended to spur more duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes and cottage housing.

• A permit timelines bill establishes project review periods and supports local governments in speeding up permitting.

• Condominium reform legislation supports condos and townhomes as an option for affordable homeownership.

Washington will join the Nurse Licensure Compact under legislation passed nearly unanimously by the Legislature. The legislation has long been an AWB priority and is a critical step to addressing health care workforce shortages. The compact allows nurses to have one multistate license and practice in any of the 40 states that have enacted the compact.