EXECUTIVE ORDER
IMPROVING THE WAY STATE GOVERNMENT
SERVES SMALL BUSINESS
WHEREAS, small businesses are one of the main drivers in our
state's economy; and
WHEREAS, recent economic conditions have had an especially
negative impact on many small businesses; and
WHEREAS, small business growth is critical to pulling our state
and nation out of the worst economic times in 80 years; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has met and consulted with small
businesses about their needs in these challenging economic
times; and
WHEREAS, reducing the complexity of the state's regulatory and
tax system would have a positive impact on small businesses by
reducing the time and cost associated with compliance; and
WHEREAS, state government should continue its efforts to reduce
the cost of doing business by streamlining processes and
reducing regulatory obligations without diminishing public
health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the recession has severely limited access to capital
for small businesses, and the state has the opportunity to
apply for federal funding under the State Small Business
Credit Initiative and such funding could be used to provide
small businesses access to capital; and
WHEREAS, tremendous opportunities exist for small businesses to
sell their products overseas, and nurturing and growing
exports is essential to our economic recovery; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state to encourage competition
and level the playing field for law abiding businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of
Washington by virtue of the power vested in me by the
Constitution and statutes of the state of Washington do hereby
order and direct:
(1) The Department of Commerce, in consultation with
small businesses, to lead the development of the
state's application to the U.S. Treasury for federal
funds to increase access to credit for small
businesses pursuant to the State Small Business
Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Commerce will develop an
SSBCI loan program that targets financing gaps in
the system consistent with our state economic
development strategy.
(2) The Department of Agriculture and the Department of
Commerce to incorporate small businesses into their
state export initiative strategies. Additionally,
the Department of Commerce will actively work with
the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the new
federal grant program directed to states to provide
funding to assist small businesses with expanding
exports sales.
(3) The Department of Labor and Industries, Employment
Security Department, and the Department of Revenue
shall review current practices and tax and rate
structures with the goal of reducing state imposed
costs for small businesses and report to the
Governor specific options to consider no later than
January 5, 2011.
(4) The Employment Security Department and the
Departments of Labor & Industries and Revenue, shall
work to protect law-abiding businesses from unfair
competition from the "underground economy." The
Departments shall coordinate efforts to enlist help
from the public and the business community to detect
and prevent participation in the underground
economy. A public education campaign shall be an
integral part of the strategy.
(5) The Department of Revenue, in consultation with
small businesses, local governments, and other
interested stakeholders, shall evaluate ways to
reduce the complexity of the state's sales tax
system. Findings and recommendations from this work
shall be reported to the Governor no later than June
30, 2011. The Department shall consult with
stakeholders including but not limited to:
Association of Washington Cities, Washington State
Association of Counties, Washington Association of
County Officials, Washington Food Industry
Association, Association of Washington Businesses,
National Federation of Independent Businesses,
Independent Business Association, Washington State
Transit Association and the Washington Retailers
Association.
(6) The Employment Security Department and the
Departments of Labor & Industries and Revenue shall
provide alternatives for late payment of taxes and
premiums and provide the information on the internet
to businesses, employers and tax practitioners.
Such information will include the availability of
penalty and interest waivers. The Departments shall
work to ensure clear and consistent ways for
business to make late payments and provide a report
to the Governor by January 5, 2011.
(7) The Department of Commerce, working with the
Governor's Office of Regulatory Assistance and key
state agencies that regulate business, shall
consolidate the variety of small business licensing,
registration and certification guides into one
integrated online resource available across all
state agencies by June 30, 2011.
(8) The Department of Commerce, working with the
Governor's Office of Regulatory Assistance and key
state agencies that regulate business, shall
complete a study to identify and evaluate the
current regulatory steps and processes required of
small business and identify ways to streamline these
processes and procedures without diminishing public
health and safety. The study, which may include a
pilot project, shall be completed by March 1, 2011.
(9) The Governor's Job Creation Subcabinet shall
regularly meet with representatives of small
businesses, identify issues affecting small
business, and review progress on this Executive
Order.
Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of
Washington on this 26th day of October 2010 at Seattle,
Washington.
By: | |
Christine O. Gregoire Governor |
|
BY THE GOVERNOR: | |
Sam Reed | |
Secretary of State |