WSU regents approve two new degree programs

The Washington State University Board of Regents has approved two new degree programs: bachelors of science in cybersecurity, and in pharmaceutical and medical sciences.

The approval came during a recent board meeting at WSU Tri-Cities in Richland.

The cybersecurity degree, offered through the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, will be available to students on the WSU Everett, Pullman and Tri‑Cities campuses.

“The program will help meet projected demand in Washington for professionals capable of protecting against modern cybersecurity threats, and was endorsed by state lawmakers with a $2 million commitment in the 2022 state supplemental budget,” a statement from WSU said.

The cybersecurity program will be offered beginning in the fall.

The bachelor of science in pharmaceutical and medical sciences is the result of a collaboration between the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, the statement said.

“It’s really rare for a student to be able to take courses across those two disciplines – there’s only a few places where one can do that – so it’s a really innovative proposal, and really a springboard for undergraduate students to then enter the health professions and attend professional schools as well,” Elizabeth Chilton, provost and executive vice president, told the board, according to the statement.

Steptoe-Gage intersection construction is underway

 Construction is underway on improvements to the Steptoe Street-Gage Boulevard intersection in Kennewick.

Work will occur between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will require temporary single lane and sidewalk closures northbound between Tucannon Avenue and Gage. Drivers can expect delays and using an alternative route is recommended.

The project will add double left turn lanes, double through lanes and right turn lanes in all directions of the intersection.

The project will consist of widening on all corners of the intersection, new curb, gutter and wider sidewalks, retaining walls, landscape revisions, a new traffic signal, an asphalt overlay and lane striping revisions.

The estimated completion date is January 2024.

For updates, go to: bit.ly/SteptoeWork.

State Supreme Court upholds capital gains tax

The Washington State Supreme Court upheld the state’s capital gains tax on March 24.

The court decided in a 7-2 decision that a tax on the sale of stocks and certain other capital assets is an excise tax, not an income or property tax.

The ruling allows the new state law to take effect that applies a 7% tax on gains over $250,000 on the sale or exchange of such assets.

The tax does not apply to real estate, retirement savings, business operations, or assets held under one year, among other exceptions, said Gov. Jay Inslee in a release.

The tax will only apply to the state’s very highest earners. It is estimated to generate about $500 million annually, providing funding for child care, early learning, K-12 education and other programs that help Washington kids and families.

Not everyone is happy about the ruling.

Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, said he was disappointed in the court’s decision, saying it hurts Washington’s competitiveness and takes a step toward a state income tax, something voters have repeatedly rejected. 

“Proponents argue the capital gains tax makes Washington’s tax system more progressive, but we have not seen an equivalent reduction in sales tax or business and occupation tax. It is simply a new tax at a time when it’s not needed. In the last five years, the Legislature has raised 22 other taxes, which will collectively raise $40 billion over 10 years. Instead of constantly looking for ways to raise more taxes, we encourage lawmakers to consider ways to invest in the economy.”

Inslee counters that the ruling creates a fairer tax system.

“Washington’s capital gains tax helps right an upside-down tax structure where low-income Washingtonians ultimately expend a much larger share of their income in taxes than our wealthiest residents,” he said in a statement.

The Legislature passed the capital gains tax in 2021 and legal challenges followed. Chris Quinn v. State of Washington was filed in Douglas County Superior Court in 2022.

Science is Beautiful exhibit on display at Pasco airport

 A Science is Beautiful art exhibit offering an artistic view of scientific research done at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland is on display at the Tri-Cities Airport.

The pieces highlight everything from microscopic plants to water molecules. They’ll be on display at the airport in Pasco throughout the year.

The airport offers local artists the chance to display their work in the terminal each year.

Each wall installation includes an explanation, website information and a scannable QR code.

Report shows state’s economy continuing to recover

A recent Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast shows that the economy continues to recover, although high inflation threatens to slow economic growth.

The state economy continued to expand through the end of 2022.

The March report shows lower personal income and housing construction but higher inflation than in the November forecast. Job growth is stronger in the near term but slightly weaker after this year.

A slowdown in taxable activity is expected to start during the current biennium, the report said. However, forecasted revenue for the current biennium has been increased despite the expected slowdown due to surplus collections.

The report expects the state to see a decline in real estate excise tax, which has come in below the November forecast and is expected to decrease further due to higher mortgage rates.

To read the full report, go to bit.ly/40RebL8.

Former Journal reporter dies at age 69

Loretto Hulse of Pasco, a former Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business reporter, died March 12.

She was 69.

She lived in the Tri-Cities for 54 years and was a retired reporter for the Tri-City Herald, where she worked for a total of 38 years.

She worked at the Senior Times and Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business from 2014-16.

Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, Kennewick, is in charge of arrangements.

Richland store among luckiest places to buy winning lottery ticket

 Where’s the luckiest place in the Tri-Cities to buy a lottery ticket?

Washington’s Lottery recently released its list of the Luckiest Retailers of 2022 showcasing retailers that sold the most winning tickets valued at $1,000 or more.

Safeway at 1803 George Washington Way in Richland tops the Tri-City list with seven wins. Of the top 10 retailers in the region, Circle K was featured the most with three of its stores making the list, totaling 13 wins altogether.

The top 10 luckiest retailers in the region are:

• Seven wins: Safeway at 1803 George Washington Way, Richland.
• Six wins: Yoke’s Fresh Market at 4905 N. Road 68, Pasco. Finished first in 2021 with 12 wins.
• Five wins: Fred Meyer at 2811 W. 10th Ave., Kennewick. Made the Top 10 list in both 2021 and 2020.
• Five wins: WinCo Foods at 101 Columbia Point Drive, Richland.
• Five wins: Circle K at 4823 Broadmoor Blvd., Pasco. Made the Top 10 list in both 2021 and 2020.
• Five wins: Yoke’s Fresh Market at 454 Keene Road, Richland.
• Five wins: 7-Eleven at 4313 W. Court St., Pasco.
• Four wins: Circle K at 1401 George Washington Way, Richland.
• Four wins: Circle K at 2105 W. Fourth Ave., Kennewick.
• Four wins: Mid-Columbia Grocery at 6409 W. Court St. in Pasco.

The luckiest retail location in the state? The Safeway store in Milton with 16 wins.

Richland company  included in Harvard climate circle cohort

A Richland company is among 23 others selected to join the Harvard Innovation Labs’ third annual Harvard Climate Entrepreneurs Circle, an incubation program for high-potential ventures working to address climate change.

OCOchem converts captured CO2 into a green molecule (formic acid) to store and transport green hydrogen for companies trying to reduce the carbon intensity of their process or products.

Since launching in 2021, Harvard program has incubated more than 65 ventures founded by Harvard students and alumni who are actively uncovering new, unexpected ways to take on climate change.

Climate Circle participants have access to world-class 1:1 coaching, pro bono legal counsel, warm connections to industry leaders, negotiation support, and a peer group of ventures working on innovative solutions to tackle climate change.

The program is spearheaded by the Harvard Innovation Labs, Harvard Business School’s Business and Environment Initiative, and Harvard Alumni for Climate and the Environment.

“What impresses me most about this year’s cohort is not just the creativity of the ideas, but the resourcefulness of the entrepreneurs who are turning these ideas into real-world products that have the potential to impact billions of people globally,” said Rebekah Emanuel, senior advisor for social impact at the Harvard Innovation Labs and chair of the Harvard Climate Circle.

Study finds CBC delivers economic impact in region

A study by the firm Lightcast shows that Columbia Basin College in Pasco has an expansive economic impact on the community.

The college, its students, faculty and staff contribute nearly $400 million to the regional economy, creating 5,088 jobs, or one in 31 jobs in Benton and Franklin counties, and about 2.4% of the two-county economy, a statement said.

 The study also found:

• An alumni impact of $327.7 million for earnings of CBC alumni and the businesses they work for.
• An operations spending impact of $55.8 million for annual payroll and other spending.
• A student spending impact of $8.1 million for daily spending of CBC students attracted or retained in the region.
• A construction spending impact of $8.2 million for expenditures for ongoing construction projects.

CBC partnered with Lightcast on the study, which analyzed data from 2020-21.

“This study reinforces the considerable impact CBC has on this community and the larger region,” said CBC President Rebekah Woods in the statement.