State Supreme Court ruling preserves local gas taxes
The Washington State Supreme Court today upheld the state Department of Revenue's interpretation that local brokered natural gas use tax is imposed where the gas is burned regardless of where it is first received by the taxpayer.The decision, authored by Justice Debra Stephens, allows the department to deny refund claims against local jurisdictions that levy these taxes and collect unreported taxes, totaling $25 million. ...

SBA revamping website
A complete redesign of the U.S. Small Business Administration's website will launch this fall.The new SBA.gov is expected to make it easier for small businesses, lending institutions, small business counselors and other members of the small business community to quickly find the information they need through a simplified navigation structure.   ...

People on the Move
Ariel Zimmer has been promoted to licensed agent and new business development manager at the Lauren Greenland Agency of American Family Insurance. DeLisa Smith has joined Capital Medical Center as director of emergency services. She previously was emergency room director at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Pismo Beach, Calif. Smith received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. ...

PSWSA and Capital Medical Center to go tobacco-free Aug. 2
Beginning Aug. 2, Capital Medical Center and the Providence Southwest Washington Service Area will go tobacco free to improve the healing and working environment for patients, visitors and staff.This means the use of any tobacco product will be prohibited on all the hospital campuses. ...