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The Washington State Supreme Court issued an opinion today in Ockletree v. Franciscan Health Services affirming that exempting religious organizations from the Washington Law Against Discrimination does not violate Washington’s Constitution, which guarantees “absolute freedom” in matters of religion.
Many of us are aware of the recent discussions about an increase in local minimum wage, including a minimum wage of $15/hr in SeaTac for hospitality and transportation worker, or a $15 minimum wage for Seattle city workers.
The United States Supreme Court granted a stay to the State of Utah as to implementing the decision of a federal judge who struck down Utah’s ban on same sex marriage (Herbert v. Kitchen). The granting of the stay means that same sex marriage will remain illegal in Utah as the matter runs up the lower court appeals process.
The public furor over the firing of an Eastside Catholic High School administrator emphasizes once again the complex interplay and separation between church and state. When considering the issue, keep several legal and Constitutional principles in mind.
Employer Alert! The IRS issued guidance last week that certain small businesses in Washington can qualify for the Affordable Care Act’s small business tax credit if they provide their employees with health insurance that meets current rules, even if the employer’s principal business address is in a county not offering a qualified health plan
With recent announcements of delay, website troubles, and cancelled health insurance, many employers are left unsure what to make of it all. Here’s a quick update:
Weeks after the close of the Washington state polls, the final ballots have been counted and state officials announced yesterday that Proposition 1 passed with a mere 77-vote margin.
Do for profit corporations have religious liberty rights under federal law and the US Constitution? The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear this issue by accepting certiori of Hobby Lobby v. Sebilius and several accompanying lower court decisions.
For those who haven’t been following the polls for the recent November 5th election, despite a few ballots still left to count, it appears that SeaTac Proposition 1 (a measure to raise the minimum wage in SeaTac to $15/hr for hospitality and transportation workers in and around SeaTac Airport) will pass.
Although much of the NLRB agenda has been thrown into question with the general belief that the Supreme Court will void President Obama’s NLRB recess appointments and thus the decisions made thereunder, expect that the Board will promptly revisit all of those rulings and reinstate them.