Creates a middle-income bracket for families whose annual incomes are between two and five hundred percent of the federal poverty level. This act also creates Area Workforce Development Councils to address workforce training and workforce development programs on a local level. This act also directs various state agencies to develop policies and programs to foster the increase in the number of families living in the middle-income bracket through increased education and job training. This act requires the review and rating of agency plans and that an annual report is submitted to the Legislature.   Official Text and Analysis.

Changes the WDC plan name from "comprehensive" to "strategic," and the due date for WDC plans is changed to begin on March 31, 2013. The requirement that the DOR adopt the goal of increasing the percentage of Washington households living in the middle-income bracket is removed. The DOR is directed to provide, as resources allow, appropriate assistance to state agencies developing goals and strategies to increase the percentage of Washington households living in the middle-income bracket or higher. The DOR's assistance may include: supplying data, evaluating relevant existing state tax preferences, and providing consultation. The DOR will not provide information that is protected from disclosure. The OFM Labor Relations Office and associated requirements are removed. The DOP is directed to provide, as resources allow, appropriate assistance to state agencies developing goals and strategies to increase the percentage of Washington households living in the middle-income bracket or higher. The DOP's assistance may include: supplying data on how the state's employees are progressing towards the middle-income bracket or higher, and providing recommendations on ways to incorporate systematic career ladders. This requirement may not be construed to impact collective bargaining agreements or negotiations. The number of agencies for which the WTECB will review and rate plan submissions is reduced to six.