Initiative may send Washington companies to Idaho

If Washington’s ergonomics rule isn’t repealed on Tuesday, it may send businesses and jobs to North Idaho.

By BRIAN WALKER
Staff writer Coeur d’Alene Press

Mark Richard, government affairs officer with the Spokane Home Builders Association, said Initiative 841 is needed because the rule adds yet more costly regulations on already burdened businesses.

"Just don’t send any voters over here to vote for the rules," Richard joked. "We deal with small and big businesses every day, and our members continue to talk about being forced to take a look at Idaho to station their companies.

"The flat economy is everywhere, but our folks are leaving."

Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries designed the much-debated ergonomics rule to help prevent work-related musculoskeletal injuries. It requires employers to address hazardous practices and conditions that lead to the injuries.

Supporters of the rule feel it is the state’s responsibility to protect citizens from unsafe working conditions. They say I-841 is a cynical effort by corporate lobbyists to seize a weak economy as a chance to kill a critical safety rule.

But Richard said Washington ranks high on too many poor business climate categories. He said since ergonomic injuries are down 28 percent that rule is one that could be dropped, easing the regulatory onslaught that companies face.

"The administrative, equipment and education costs to implement the rule affect the bottom line in adverse ways," Richard said. "This comes with a workers’ compensation increase coming down the pike and an increase in contractor liability insurance."

Steve Griffitts, president of Coeur d’Alene-based Jobs Plus, declined to talk specifics on the initiative and implications on Idaho.

"We are very pleased with Idaho’s pro-business position at the state and national level," he said.

Construction may not be the only industry uprooting for more business-friendly states like Idaho, Richard said.

"The medical field, grocery industry and agriculture will feel the ripple effect," he said. "Those are pretty significant stables. This is far bigger than just the roofing and construction industry."

Fueling Richard’s feelings is that he’s already seeing companies that have had enough of the added costs.

"A number of our members are talking on a daily basis about having an accountant do an analysis to see if it makes sense to move their business to Idaho," he said. "That dialogue has increased tenfold from two years ago."

"(The ergonomics rule) is just another reason that’s making them feel that way. The entrepreneurial attitude in most of Idaho just doesn’t exist here."

Richard said the movement has already started to happen.

"I’ve had a half dozen members and close friends who are builders who have left for Phoenix," he said. "A landscaper is now conducting business in Idaho."

Richard said in the long run North Idaho’s economy could benefit because of Washington regulations.

"Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene are outdoing us in residential housing permits and new business starts and in the long run that’s going to create a strong tax base to help fund a healthy government," he said. "Here we have the Department of Ecology creating havoc on a sewer project in Liberty Lake, so there’s essentially a moratorium on growth."

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2003/11/04/business/bus02.txt