Jobs and the Economy

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene introduced legislation today to create a new national competitive grant program dedicated to funding job training programs to support low-income individuals currently on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The legislation will create pilot projects designed to facilitate access to the education and job skills necessary for participants to get well-paying jobs and reduce their need for government assistance. Read more »

The act simply requires online retailers to collect sales tax. Collection is simplified by the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, which Washington and 43 other states have signed. It is not a new tax. And it is an acknowledgment that existing law — requiring online buyers to voluntarily report and pay sales tax — is absurdly out-of-date. Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene introduced bipartisan legislation today to stop the creation of a land border crossing fee.Last month, the Department of Homeland Security included in its Fiscal Year 2014 budget request legislative language to authorize a study assessing the feasibility of charging admission for travelers coming into the United States at land crossings. “The… Read more »

Given how important commerce generated from travel across the northern border is, I was shocked to see a proposal in the Department of Homeland Security's Fiscal Year 2014 budget request to study whether fees should be assessed on passengers and pedestrians crossing into the United States at land crossings, such as ours in Whatcom County. Such a fee would create a new economic barrier… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement regarding today’s passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act by the U.S. Senate.  This legislation would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state Internet retailers, by closing the current tax loophole that has prevented states from collecting existing sales taxes on… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is going to bat for specialty crop producers in Washington.http://kgmi.com/Specialty-crops-a-priority-for-farm-bill/16167637 Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, along with 18 of her colleagues, today sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security declaring their opposition to a proposed study to examine whether fees should be levied on travelers coming into the United States at land crossings, such as Washington’s Peace Arch.The Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget request… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene today introduced a bipartisan resolution supporting specialty crops, highlighting the vital role they play in America’s agricultural industry and calling for the inclusion of specialty crop programs in a new farm bill.“Whether it’s red raspberries, blueberries, green peas or any number of different fruits and vegetables grown by our local… Read more »

Federal lawmakers should come together in common cause to unscramble a tax dodge that squeezes small business while sapping state coffers.http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130424/OPINION01/704249973/-1/OPINION#Boost-mainstreet-retailers Read more »

State and local governments strapped for cash and small retail businesses struggling to compete with online businesses may find a bit of relief soon in the form of a proposed measure that would close a sales tax loophole for online businesses.http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/closing-the-online-loophole/article_75509a43-9c2a-542d-bde4-c9f3c47af522.html Read more »