Inslee signs bills to delay WA Cares tax

Washington’s highly touted and highly contentious long-term care program will be delayed by at least 18 months while lawmakers work amend the program.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed bills last week to delay the WA Cares payroll tax on Washington workers just days after the Senate voted 46-3 in favor of delaying the collection of premiums and WA Cares Fund’s implementation. The House of Representatives voted 91-6 in favor of the same bill.

Inslee’s action pauses the collection of premiums. The collection is scheduled to begin July 1, 2023, instead of Jan. 1.

The tax would have taken 58 cents for every...