Challenging Inslee, GOP lawmakers release plan to restart the economy

Republicans legislators on Friday released their first plan for “safely restarting Washington’s economy while state government’s response to the COVID-19 emergency continues.”

The three-page document ends what generally has been several weeks of bipartisan legislative harmony on Gov. Jay Inslee’s approach to the new coronavirus pandemic. Democrats control both the House and Senate.

“Our state needs a comprehensive plan to restart its economy in ways that continue to emphasize the health of Washingtonians. No one has produced a plan until now,” House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox of Yelm said in a written statement.

As part of his strategy to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, Inslee last month ordered all “non-essential businesses” to shut down and for residents to stay home, unless they are deemed “essential” workers. The governor has extended the order through May 4, but controversy continues over why certain business sectors, such as construction, have remained closed.

GOP legislative leaders called on Inslee to take several immediate actions:

• “Convene a Restart Task Force comprising legislative leaders, relevant executive-branch directors and representatives of the business and organized-labor communities. This group will chart a course toward allowing all Washington businesses to reopen, on a phased or limited basis as necessary, with COVID-19 protections for workers and customers in place.”
• “Fully disclose the `metrics’ that must be met before the business-closure order can be lifted or amended.
• Allow companies to reopen in which the risk of contracting COVID-19 is “low,” such as auto dealers, solo landscape services, car washes, remodeling companies/contractors, residential construction, hairdressers/barbers, flower shops, RV parks, dentists, installers of home/commercial security systems, and accountants/tax preparers.
• “Deliver on the massive testing capabilities promised by state health officials ahead of the business-closure order. Direct the appropriate state agencies to acquire antibody tests and work with employers to screen workers. Workers found to have the antibodies resulting from the COVID-19 infection will be immediately eligible for employment.”
• “Exempt small businesses from paying sales and (business-and-occupation) taxes for one year.”

“We believe many sectors of our economy can operate safely, and employers have every incentive to take the precautions needed to guard the health of their workers and their customers,” said Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler of Ritzville. “We trust that if they have an opportunity to open their doors, they’ll make it work.”

Reached for comment, Inslee spokesman Mike Faulk said: “Though we remain in constant contact, legislative Republicans have not approached our office with these proposals. I’ve no doubt the governor and staff will review them.”

Faulk also noted that the GOP press release refers to Inslee’s existing bipartisan task force of legislators focused on business recovery.

“We appreciate their acknowledgement of the efforts we’ve already started,” he said.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 1:35 PM.