(WA) Dems push bill to cut income of political foe

[Newsjock]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002151622_biaw15m.html

By Ralph Thomas
Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — Democratic lawmakers are pushing legislation that would take a multimillion-dollar bite out of one of their party's biggest political enemies — the Building Industry Association of Washington.

The move sets up a bitter showdown between the BIAW, a powerful conservative force, and the liberal Washington State Labor Council, which has been trying for years to clip the association's wings.

And it comes at a time when the home-builders group is at the forefront of the state's biggest political controversy, temporarily dedicating its operations to unseating Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire.

... The group is one of the nation's largest home-builders associations. It gets some money from membership dues and from a health-insurance program it manages for its members. But the group gets the bulk of its income through the state's workers'-compensation system.

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[Renew Deal]

1. Clip those wings.

[KT2000]

2. This is BIG

and hope it gets through.
The workers comp system is one of Rossi's big issues.

[depakid]

3. Hammer them

These folks are a scourge on Washington State. Anything that can legally be done to curb their income and lessen their clout will not only help the Dems, but will be a great service to Washignton- and the NorthWest in general.

These guys have been getting a free ride for years- time to give a fair share back to the community.

[BanzaiBonnie]

4. If we can't muzzle this group

We'll end up like Texas. With building standards that screw over the home buyer.

[pa28]

5. Gotta love Washington Democrats.

Republicans have been playing this kind of hardball for years.

Here is a group of Democrats willing to deal a couple of bloody noses right back.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. I love the Washington State Democratic Party!

The "Building Industry Association" is now going to learn what it's REALLY like to support the GOP. The Building Industry Association is going to regret the day they got into bed with the GOP.

:kick:

[struggle4progress]

7. kick for misuse of worker compensation funds

[Robert Oak]

8. GOOD STRATEGY! Go Dems!

Finally, someone gets it that the use of the tax code...

which is right now being federally manipulated to help those
multinational corporations and converative Karl Rove pals....

might be used the other direction.

Someone gets it...finally.

[progressivebydesign]

9. The BIA never met an empty lot they didn't like..

.. to totally dessimate with ugly, cookie cutter houses. Who needs trees? They just block views and take up space.

I hope they nail those partisan assholes.