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WashACE Blog
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Worker Privacy Bill Dead
Posted by Richard S. Davis on 3/11/2009 12:22:00 PM
The good news is that, according to multiple and mysterious reports this morning, the Employer Gag Rule is dead.
The bad news is that it was pulled from consideration, not defeated on its lack of merit.
Adam Wilson's blog more than implies that there may be more to this than unusually inept lobbying by, presumably, union backers of the bill.
My reporter senses are tingling here, because it's awfully convenient.
This was a major contention point between two powerful interests,
unions and business, and now it goes away through no fault of the
decision makers.
I'm not sure exactly how that works. Someone does something stupid and leadership magnifies to to avoid a tough vote? Maybe. But it seems like a stretch. Rather than speculate, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Jerry Cornfield, who had a good account of the "contention point" in this morning's Herald, provides the saga's timeline, suggesting that while the investigation continues, hard facts may be in short supply.
UPDATE Jennifer Sullivan has a more complete account at the Seattle Times blog, including statements from the governor and legislative leaders, as well as the state patrol, which isn't saying much. She also reports that the state labor council scheduled and canceled a press conference, declining comment for now.
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