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Washington Small Biz Optimism Falls, Hiring Slumps Amid $17 Wage

7/10/2026

48 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The NFIB released a Washington Small Business Economic Trends report on July 9 2026 with Optimism Index 94.5 versus 98.5 and 5.3 % of firms planning to hire versus 15.4 % nationally.
Nineteen percent of owners cite labor costs as their top problem, with a state minimum wage of $17.13 per hour.
A late-April Washington Business survey found about 24 % of employers consider moving out because of taxes, regulation and a $700-$800 million UI increase.

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Story summary

The NFIB released a Washington Small Business Economic Trends report on July 9 2026 with Optimism Index 94.5 versus 98.5 and 5.3 % of firms planning to hire versus 15.4 % nationally.
Nineteen percent of owners cite labor costs as their top problem, with a state minimum wage of $17.13 per hour.
A late-April Washington Business survey found about 24 % of employers consider moving out because of taxes, regulation and a $700-$800 million UI increase.