OLYMPIA, Wash. – A group of mostly Republican state legislators is asking Governor Inslee to hold off on the state’s new long-term care program and the tax it creates.
Twenty-three state Senators, including Rep. Doug Ericksen of Ferndale, signed off on a letter asking Inslee to suspend the upcoming payroll tax, as well as an upcoming deadline to purchase long-term care.
The WA Cares Act requires workers to be enrolled in private long-term care insurance by November 1st to be exempt from a new payroll tax that takes effect in January.
The lawmakers say that private insurance has proven difficult for many people to obtain.
They’re also seeking answers for the exemption process, and clarification on how the new state program will impact the private insurance market.