WSLC panel warns permitting, grid limits and potential repeal of "millionaires" tax threaten apprenticeships and local construction jobs

A panel on jobs and the economy at the Washington State Labor Council convention highlighted short-term threats to apprenticeship pipelines and the construction workforce, with panelists urging legislative action on revenue and permitting.

Moderator Heather Kurtenbach framed the discussion around apprenticeship retention and long-term planning. Panelists from education and multiple building trades described a mixed job market: some trades are picking up, others face layoffs or slowdowns that leave apprentices without enough hours to progress.

Tawny Lindquist of the Washington Education Association warned that repealing the state's "millionaires" tax would create a substantial budget shortfall for schools. "The millionaires tax maintaining it is critical to the funding of our schools," she said, noting an estimated $16.6 billion hole if the tax were repealed, which would affect school staffing and capital projects.

Trade panelists underscored permitting, grid and siting bottlenecks as immediate obstacles that prevent projects and keep apprentices idle. Jo Soderlund (United Association Local 32) said permitting delays and transmission constraints have blocked potential manufacturing and energy projects, while Juan Tapia (Bricklayers Local 1) described apprentices losing unemployment eligibility or being forced to relocate to out-of-state projects to find work.

Panelists proposed short-term fixes such as prioritizing local, union-built school and infrastructure projects, reforming permitting timelines, and protecting apprenticeship income eligibility (citing a federal Apprenticeship Opportunity Act being worked on in Congress) to prevent new apprentices from losing access to benefits.

Why it matters: The panel linked state fiscal choices and regulatory processes to job availability for apprentices and the competitiveness of Washington union contractors. With the convention voting to consider late resolutions that include funding and AI standards, committees will have opportunities to craft policy responses.

What happens next: Panel observations feed into workforce development and legislative committee work during the convention and inform affiliate advocacy about permitting reform and preservation of the millionaire's tax on the November ballot.