Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Rossi: Despite deficit, rich need bigger tax cut Even if Congress lets Bush's tax cuts for the rich expire as scheduled, but preserves the "middle-class" tax cuts -- as President Obama and Sen. Patty Murray propose -- wealthy households will STILL receive a substantial tax cut, significantly larger in dollar terms that what middle-class Americans will get. But that's not enough for Sen. Murray's Republican challenger Dino Rossi, who has quickly cast aside his stated concern about rising federal deficits to demand that the richest Americans pay even lower taxes, despite the fact that the Bush tax cuts for the rich are the single biggest contributor to the federal deficit. Read more.   In today's Seattle Times -- Murray, Rossi clash on Bush tax cut renewal -- Sen. Murray favors the president's plan to permanently extend lower tax rates for all but the wealthiest 2% to 3% of taxpayers -- couples making over $250,000. Obama has also proposed keeping in place higher tax deductions for dependent children, child-care tax credits and other tax savings largely aimed at the middle class. But the top income-tax rate would return to its pre-2001 39.6%, up from the Bush tax cut rate of 35%. (Rossi no-likey!)   At Huffington Post -- Wall Street may pay bonuses early to dodge possible repeal of tax cuts --  Banks are considering paying annual bonuses early this year to lessen the impact of the increased high-income tax rates expected in January, when bonuses are traditionally paid out.   Return to work at Coke Some 500 Western Washington Coke employees who went on strike last Monday will return to work unconditionally in a gesture that demonstrates their willingness to bargain a fair contract in good faith. Negotiations between the Washington Teamsters United and Coke will resume this Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 1 and 2. Read more.   In today's Kitsap Sun -- Striking Coca-Cola workers back on job -- Mike Rodenbucher of Teamsters Local 589, intimated the workers had little choice except to put down their signs: "The way it was explained to me is that the company has threatened to fire and replace all the striking workers, and the union has decided it was in the union’s best interest to return to work as long as the company bargains in good faith."

Election news:   At SeattlePI.com -- Initiative 1082 would bankrupt long-term care (Rep. Brendan Williams column) -- Workers' comp rates rose by $112 per employee in 2010 in boarding homes and nursing homes. But Initiative 1082 would immediately cost providers of care an extra $540 per employee in nursing homes and an extra $463.30 per employee in boarding homes. In other words, a nursing home provider should embrace a $540 rate increase because of a $112 rate increase? Who can afford such illogic? The new costs would eliminate caregivers' jobs.   In the Olympian -- Ballot to shape budget -- Most of the proposals would cut the flow of money into the state treasury, including two liquor-privatization efforts and a tax-rollback measure that is backed by $10 million from the national soft drink industry. But an income tax on high-earning residents would give the state $2.2 billion a year in future budget cycles. Check out the Washington State Labor Council's take on the ballot measures.   In the (Everett) Herald -- Berkey files complaint alleging violation in state Senate race -- The state senator alleges her foes violated election law by not disclosing the financial source of two mailers sent in the final days of the primary. She wants the PDC to call a special election or order that her name be placed on the November ballot.   At Publicola -- Berkey files complaint against Democratic political consultant for "shell game" --  Washington State Labor Council Political Director Benjamin Lawver says, “WSLC did not approve any expenditure to Cut Taxes PAC or Conservative PAC" (which sent the mailers).   In the (Aberdeen) Daily World -- Lindgren wins Labor Council endorsement for Assessor --The Twin Harbors Labor Council has endorsed Democrat Dan Lindgren over candidate Rick Hole.    Local news:   At SeattlePI.com -- Machinists approve contract at BAE systems in Everett -- IAM 751 members have unanimously ratified a new 3-year contract with the aerospace supplier that grants wage increases of 3%, 3% and 2.5%, while preserving COLAs, maintaining healthcare benefits at current levels, and raising the company's pension contributions, the union reports.   In today's News Tribune -- Pierce County seeks to hold the line on workers' wages -- Pierce County wants its employees to forgo the guaranteed 2.5% cost-of-living raises written into their contracts. Executive Pat McCarthy made the request to 11 bargaining groups, saying it would “significantly reduce the number of layoffs we otherwise face, and help us maintain service levels to the citizens.”   In today's Spokesman-Review -- City leaders pledge to keep labor costs in check -- Spokane leaders made a pledge Monday to not approve labor contracts that increase costs to the city more than 4% annually with the unanimous approval of “Principles for Labor Negotiations.”   In the Daily News -- Longview Fibre union negotiations to resume Monday -- Negotiators for Longview Fibre and union paper makers will resume contract talks Monday, a week after union members overwhelmingly rejected the company's latest offer. AWPPW Local 153 made a counteroffer Friday, and Fibre negotiators are expected to make their own proposal Monday.   In today's Tri-City Herald -- L&I fines contractor after worker dies in Richland -- The agency issues issued three citations with fines totaling $2,700, or $900 each, to an electrical contractor after the death of an employee March 1 at an electrical substation at Hanford.   In today's Tri-City Herald -- Vapor stacks raised at Hanford to increase safety -- Workers are raising the height of exhaust stacks that emit fumes to ventilate Hanford tanks that hold radioactive and hazardous chemical wastes.   In today's Seattle Times -- Seattle teachers, district think they have a deal -- They plan to announce an agreement Tuesday afternoon. Teachers are scheduled to vote on the contract Thursday if a tentative agreement is reached. Classes are to start Sept. 8.    National news: Deadline near for petition to end Somali piracy A coalition of international unions, shipping associations, insurers and other maritime groups are demanding "concrete action" to end the increasingly violent and brazen Somali piracy "that is putting lives at risk and threatening world trade." TAKE ACTION! The coalition has an online petition and is seeking half a million signatures by World Maritime Day, Sept. 23. To read and sign the petition, go to www.endpiracypetition.org. It asks governments to dedicate the resources necessary, including stepped up naval protection, to end the attacks and "regain control of the Indian Ocean from a handful of criminals." Read more.   At Huffington Post -- Obama to address AFL-CIO on Labor Day -- Hoping to bolster the spirits of this political base and make a late-stage to working voters, President Obama will address a major gathering of union workers in Wisconsin on Labor Day. The president will be speaking before a picnic organized by the AFL-CIO in Milwaukee, the White House confirmed. He will be joined at the event by the union federation's president Richard Trumka.   In today's LA Times -- Obama presses for small business aid as hiring stalls -- Data show that small firms added just 26,000 jobs in August. The president chastises Republicans for holding up legislation that would restore funding for loans to small businesses and provide other relief.     At AFL-CIO Now -- Target Wall Street greed, not public employees -- Economist Dean Baker: "Fifteen million people are not out of work because of generous public employee pensions.... If we cut all public employee pensions in half tomorrow, it would not create a single job or save anyone’s house. The reason that millions of people are suffering is a combination of Wall Street greed and incredible economic mismanagement."   In today's NY Times -- A million women vs. Wal-Mart (editorial) -- For nine years, Wal-Mart has fought to stave off a class-action lawsuit alleging that it has long discriminated against its female workers in pay and promotions. Now Wal-Mart has appealed to the Supreme Court whether these women can sue as a class, probably a smart legal move, given the court’s clear tendency to rule in favor of corporations. If this goes forward it would be the largest employment discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history. The Supreme Court should give the women of Wal-Mart a chance to make their case together.