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POLICY
ECONOMY
ON THE LOCAL FRONT
POLITICAL NEWS
RETAIL THEFT & PUBLIC SAFETY
IN THE NEWS
| | Source: Office of Governor Bob Ferguson | | |
Governor signs legislation expanding minor work hours and strengthening safety requirements
In April, Governor Ferguson signed two new laws impacting youth employment in Washington State. HB 1121 expands allowable work hours for 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, while HB 1164 increases safety requirements and penalties for violations involving minor workers.
Sponsored by Representative McClintock (LD-18), HB 1121 directs the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to update its rules to allow eligible students in CTE programs to work the same number of hours during the school year as they can during school breaks—so long as they are employed by an approved employer-partner.
Introduced by Representative Fosse (LD-38), HB 1164 imposes stricter conditions for student learner variances, increases penalties for violations of youth employment laws, and requires L&I to conduct safety consultations before minors can begin certain types of work-based learning.
What employers need to know
- While HB 1121 provides greater flexibility for student workers, HB 1164 introduces new administrative requirements and potential delays due to mandatory L&I safety consultations.
- Employers may also face increased liability, even in cases where incidents are caused by the student’s own actions, raising the stakes for compliance with youth labor laws.
These changes align with broader legislative efforts to expand CTE opportunities, including the creation of a Statewide CTE Task Force (2024) and the planned extension of CTE programming to sixth grade by 2025. However, the full impact of these new laws remains to be seen.
As part of the Retail Workforce Initiative, WR will continue collaborating with CTE directors and employers to monitor how these changes affect youth employment and workplace readiness across the state.
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Tariffs put pressure on small retailers and consumers
Small businesses, comprising 98% of all retailers and supporting over 13 million jobs, are facing increasing challenges due to rising tariffs. These import taxes, which are paid by U.S. companies rather than foreign governments, place significant financial strain on Main Street businesses, including retailers, restaurants, and manufacturers.
For small retailers operating on tight margins, tariff-driven cost increases are difficult to absorb. Many are forced to raise prices, directly impacting consumers. This, in turn, contributes to a decline in consumer confidence, reducing spending at local shops and further squeezing small businesses.
Compounding the issue is the limited availability of domestically sourced goods. While many small businesses prioritize buying American-made products, some items are simply not produced in the U.S., leaving importation, and associated tariffs, as the only option.
Without relief, the long-term impact may include reduced economic activity, job losses, and permanent closures of local stores. WR continues to monitor these issues and advocates for balanced policies that support the long-term success of small businesses and the communities they serve.
NRF.com
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State of freight: Trump tariffs put holiday retail season at risk
The escalating U.S.–China trade conflict is threatening to upend the most important shopping events of the year, from Amazon Prime Day and Fourth of July sales to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. President Trump’s recent hike in tariffs, including a 145% duty on some Chinese imports, has retailers and manufacturers warning of delayed shipments, increased prices, and possible product shortages during peak shopping periods.
China has recently signaled a willingness to reopen trade discussions, but with holiday order deadlines rapidly approaching, business leaders say time is running out. For many, the next month will determine whether shelves are fully stocked or painfully sparse come late summer and fall.
Lauren Greenwood, president of home goods brand YouCopia, said her company halted shipments in April after a factory shutdown in Nanjing. With containers of products sitting idle and tariff costs jumping from $2,500 to as much as $80,000 per shipment, restarting production isn’t feasible without tariff relief. “We’ve already raised prices 20–25%,” Greenwood said. “But we can’t sustain this without changes.”
Retailers have attempted to cushion the blow by front-loading shipments before tariffs took effect, but that’s proving insufficient. Small and mid-size businesses are especially exposed, says Jon Gold of the National Retail Federation, as they lack the financial flexibility to absorb the new costs.
Amazon is also navigating the uncertainty. CEO Andy Jassy told investors it’s unclear how tariffs will impact the platform, given the wide range of third-party sellers and their varied pricing strategies. Some may pass along costs, others may not—but either way, volatility is expected.
Other brands, like baby gear maker Colugo, are warning customers that product availability could tighten. General Manager Melissa Gad said she’s paused manufacturing and is advising parents to shop early. With fewer promotions planned, typical holiday discounts may be hard to come by.
Supply chain data from interos.ai shows a 53% drop in U.S. holiday imports since Trump’s tariff announcement in early April. Nearly half of U.S. seasonal imports typically come from China, making the situation especially precarious for goods like toys, apparel, and electronics.
Even if a trade agreement comes soon, logistics experts warn that production and shipping delays could still mean holiday shortages. “If vessels have already been rerouted, getting them back will take weeks,” said OL USA CEO Alan Baer.
Still, not all is lost. Some companies are shifting production to India and Southeast Asia to keep inventory flowing. Paul Brashier of ITS Logistics said increased shipments from outside China are softening the blow, though higher prices remain likely.
With canceled sailings piling up and growing tension at U.S. ports, the holiday retail season is shaping up to be both leaner and more expensive. Unless a resolution is reached soon, shoppers could face fewer choices and steeper prices on everything from toys to household staples.
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Seattle City Council could make changes in ethics rules
Following the advice Wayne Barrett, Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (“SEEC”), Councilmember Cathy Moore is considering proposing changes to the City’s ethics rules.
According to Barrett, “Last summer we had a couple of bills where we were very much in the middle of political matters of City Hall and that’s not where I think we should be.”
The potential rule change would require Councilmembers to fully disclose potential financial interests they might have in legislation before the Council. Under current rules, the SEEC is empowered to urge Councilmembers to recuse themselves from votes on which a financial conflict might exist. The changed rule would require disclosure of a potential financial conflict and leave it to the Councilmembers to recuse themselves.
The challenge with the current rule is drawing a line between financial interests that require recusal and those that do not. For example, no Councilmember has ever been urged to recuse themselves from voting on legislation to protect tenants even though they were renters at the time. However, Councilmember Maritza Rivera could face recusal from voting on upcoming landlord-tenant legislation because she earns a small income from a rental in the Green Lake neighborhood. In addition, one Councilmember was recently urged to recuse herself from voting on food delivery legislation after her father-in-law purchased a restaurant.
While some view this potential change as weakening the City’s ethics rules, others view it as an opportunity to create an ethics code that can be applied evenly.
| | Jamie Tompkins, a former FOX 13 television anchor and former Seattle Police Department chief of staff. (Courtesy of Jamie Tompkins) | | |
Former SPD Chief of Staff files $3M claim alleging harassment and retaliation
Jamie Tompkins, former Chief of Staff for the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and a former FOX 13 anchor, has filed a $3 million claim against the City of Seattle, alleging persistent sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Hired by then-Chief Adrian Diaz in May 2023, Tompkins resigned in November 2024 following Diaz’s demotion and the launch of an internal investigation into their alleged romantic relationship, an allegation both deny.
Tompkins asserts that from the start of her tenure, rumors about the nature of the relationship between her and Diaz were widespread, undermining her credibility and job performance. Her legal filing claims inappropriate comments and behavior from officers, commanders, and senior staff persisted for over a year. She also alleges that city leadership, including Mayor Bruce Harrell, failed to intervene despite being made aware of the situation. The mayor’s office has denied the accusations.
Tompkins’ claim precedes a scheduled May 25 mediation and follows a series of related legal actions, including a $10 million claim filed by Diaz and separate lawsuits from other SPD employees citing workplace misconduct.
This case highlights ongoing cultural and accountability challenges within the SPD and raises broader questions about workplace protections and leadership oversight in public institutions.
SeattleTimes.com
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WR joins coalition urging Congress to preserve B-SALT deduction
WR has joined a broad coalition of business organizations in urging Congress to preserve the deduction for state and local business taxes, commonly known as the B-SALT deduction. In a recent letter addressed to lawmakers, the coalition warned that limiting or eliminating this deduction would amount to a significant tax increase on businesses of all sizes across the country.
The B-SALT deduction allows businesses to deduct mandatory state and local taxes as necessary operating expenses. Proposed changes to cap or eliminate this deduction could result in over $600 billion in additional taxes over the next decade, affecting pass-through entities, corporations, and property owners alike.
The letter emphasizes that the deduction is a longstanding and essential component of the federal tax system, and that removing it would undermine the economic gains supported by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These gains include wage growth, job creation, and increased investment.
WR and its partners call on Congress to maintain this critical deduction and avoid inadvertently reversing key progress made toward a more competitive business environment.
Read the full letter here.
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2025 Western States ORC Conference set for Seaside, Oregon
The 6th annual Western States Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Conference will take place September 10–12, 2025, bringing together professionals from retail, law enforcement, and government to collaborate on strategies to combat organized retail crime. Held in Seaside, Oregon, the event will feature expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen regional partnerships and prevention efforts.
Early bird pricing is available through July 15, 2025, making now a great time to secure your spot.
Conference Details:
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Dates: September 10–12, 2025
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Location: Seaside Civic and Convention Center, 415 1st Avenue, Seaside, OR 97138
Register Now!
Don’t miss this key opportunity to join the fight against organized retail crime through collaboration and training.
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WR addresses The Bellevue Collection tenants on organized retail crime
This week in Bellevue, WR Senior Vice President Mark Johnson addressed loss prevention officers from The Bellevue Collection during a tenant meeting focused on organized retail crime (ORC). WR President and CEO Renée Sunde and Director of Local and State Government Affairs Crystal Leatherman were also in attendance in support of the event.
Johnson highlighted key legislative efforts aimed at combating organized retail crime, including the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) — federal bills H.R. 2853 and S. 1404, both recently introduced in Congress. The legislation has strong bipartisan support, and President Trump has indicated his support for the measure.
He also discussed HB 2015, which funds a public safety grant program designed to help cities and counties hire additional police officers, prosecutors, public defenders, treatment specialists, and community resource officers. The program has been fully funded with $100 million.
ORC is a multi-billion-dollar issue impacting communities nationwide. WR applauds federal, state, and local efforts to address this growing concern and commends The Bellevue Collection and Kemper Development for hosting the ORC Tenant Meeting to help tenants better protect themselves against these crimes.
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Register now: 2025 PNWER Annual Summit in Bellevue
The 2025 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit will be held July 20–24 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA. This premier event brings together over 600 leaders from both the U.S. and Canada to collaborate on cross-border solutions in trade, infrastructure, energy, workforce development, and more.
WR President & CEO Renée Sunde is among the host committee members helping shape this year’s Summit. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with policymakers, legislators, and business leaders to discuss the future of regional economic cooperation.
PNWER is a nonpartisan public-private partnership that fosters collaboration between states, provinces, and territories to strengthen economic resilience across the Pacific Northwest.
Join the conversation. Be part of the region’s future.
Register today at pnwer.org/2025-summit.
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WR diversity statement
WR is committed to the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to create a safe, welcoming environment in which these principles can thrive.
We value all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, identity, sexual orientation, nationality, or disability, and that is the foundation of our commitment to those we serve.
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Renée Sunde, President/CEO — 360.200.6450 — Email
Mark Johnson, Sr. VP of Policy & Government Affairs — 360.943.0667 — Email
Crystal Leatherman, Dir of Local & State Government Affairs — 360.200-6453 — Email
Rose Gundersen, VP of Operations & Retail Services — 360.200.6452 — Email
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