Marko Liias

This week, I was proud to cosponsor the "Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights" and continue my bipartisan approach to supporting small businesses.

We’re relying on small businesses and their jobs to lead us out of the recession.  By enacting this bill of rights, we’d be taking a huge step forward in helping owners focus on their businesses.

The small business bill would require state agencies to provide industry-specific information on the state taxes to owners when they register with the state. The bill would also waive penalties and interest for businesses that unintentionally break the rules.

Washington is a great place to work and do business, but there is more we can be doing.  Businesses want to play by the rules and these measures will signal that the state wants to help them succeed, become part of their community, and provide good jobs.

This is the latest bill that I have sponsored to help our local small businesses.  Last December, I held a business roundtable and heard very clearly that small businesses struggle with regulatory requirements and need better guidance.

While the bill is being introduced during the legislative special session, I'm hopeful that the bipartisan support will help it get consideration this year. Rep. Tom Campbell, a Republican from Yelm, is the prime sponsor of the bill.

People at home want us working together to improve the economy and helping create jobs.  With unemployment close to ten percent, this is a common-sense way to break down some red tape small businesses face.

The small business taxpayer bill of rights is House Bill 3217, and the current special session is scheduled to expire on April 13.