Industry News

Receive Up to $13,500 Back With L&I's "Stay at Work" Program

Labor & Industries' (L&I) "Stay at Work" program s a new financial incentive program that encourages employers to bring their injured workers quickly and safely back to light-duty or transitional work by reimbursing them for a portion of their costs. Your association recently had a Group Retrospective Insurance Program (GRIP) participant who received the full $10,000 reimbursement, so you will want to check this out!

Snohomish County Adopts Buildable Lands Report, Population Allocation

Last week, the Snohomish County Council adopted its state-required Buildable Lands Report and an ordinance adopting draft population allocations related to the 2015 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Snohomish County Permit Activity Continues Surge

Snohomish County single-family residential permit activity continues to exceed early estimates and has reached levels not seen since 2007. Two hundred twenty eight single-family permits were applied for in the month of May. Planning and Development Services (PDS) now forecasts over 2,000 permits for 2013.

Economic Forecast for 2nd Half 2013: Sunny with Cloudy Periods

Looking ahead at the second half of 2013, the economic news is pretty solid. The US economy is on the mend, the labor market is slowly healing and house prices are up about 10 percent from year-ago levels. In addition, Europe (while in recession) appears to be holding together, DC budget brinksmanship is fading, car and light-truck sales along with consumer sentiment are rising, and new home construction continues its steady ascent. The only serious domestic fly in the ointment is the significant fiscal drag from Washington as the result of sequestration and year-end tax increases. The biggest foreign drag is Europe’s recession is hurting US exports.

Your Association to Host Presentation on LID Cost Analysis

On Tuesday, June 25, Herrera Environmental Consultants and the Washington Stormwater Center will present the results of the Cost Analysis for Western Washington Low Impact Development (LID) Requirements and Best Management Practices. Association members interested in stormwater and LID are encouraged to attend this free presentation.

Mountlake Terrace Adopts SEPA Code Update

On Monday, May 20, the Mountlake Terrace City Council adopted an ordinance updating the city’s State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) code. This update included an increase in the categorical exemption thresholds for minor new construction to the maximum allowed by the revised state rules for these projects (30 units for single-family and 60 units for multifamily).

Health Care Reform Tip: New W2 Reporting Requirements are Coming

Under the Affordable Care Act, all employers that provide "applicable employer-sponsored coverage" or essentially a group health insurance plan are now required to report the value of that health care coverage on employee’s W2s starting in 2014.

New Action Alert Issued for Kent Levee Plan

Next Tuesday, Feb. 26, the King County Flood Control Zone District is expected to vote on the city of Kent’s floodwall plan. Earlier this month, the Executive Committee of the King County Flood Control Zone District voted 3-1 to recommend approval of Kent’s plan to improve the Briscoe-Desimone levee located along the east bank of the Green River.

Quarterly Economic Report

Your association is pleased to present this quarterly economic report prepared by Matthew Gardner of Gardner Economics, LLC. The report provides an overview of the Seattle metropolitan area’s economy and real estate market, with special emphasis on the fourth quarter of 2012. Gardner's report focuses on events that are of interest to the housing industry community and consumers alike.

Interest Rates Yield No Recession

Economist Elliot Eisenberg’s latest column explains why he believes those who say we are due for another recession are wrong. Eisenberg looks at past recessions and current economic trends, focusing on interest rates, to make the case for why there is no recession in sight.

A Tale of Two Households

Four Reasons to Be Optimistic

While economic growth has been lackluster since the end of the recession in summer 2009, guest columnist and renowned economist Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. of GraphsandLaughs, LLC thinks this is likely to change, despite the sequester. In his monthly column, he gives his top four reasons why.

Inflation - What Inflation?

Guest columnist and renowned economist Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. of GraphsandLaughs, LLC, explains why he doesn't think inflation is an inevitablity.