Senate Passes “No-New-Tax” Budget – Contact YOUR House Members to Get Them on Board!
The Senate passed its version of the budget late last week. It deserves the support of the House. This budget follows Gov. Gary Locke’s spending goals by living within Washington’s means, funding the highest priorities first, and avoiding job killing business taxes. Call your Representatives to urge them to pass a no-new-tax budget, too! Contact AWB’s Tom Dooley at (360) 943-1600 or TomD@awb.org.

 

AWB Ads Supporting “Live Within Our Means” Are On the Air! You Can Help Sponsor
A coalition of Washington business organizations, including AWB, have launched an ad and grassroots campaign to urge the legislature to pass a budget within existing revenues. Look for a series of newspaper ads you can help sponsor in your local papers. When called by AWB’s Cody Benson to contact your legislators, please respond immediately. We are approaching the final days of the legislative session, and we need your help to make sure we don’t get hit with a large tax bill like we did in 1993. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell or Gary Chandler at (360) 943-1600 or by e-mail at DonB@awb.org or GaryC@awb.org.

 

Shoreline Management Reform and Compromise - Urge the House and Senate to Act!
Currently in the House, SB 6012 sets up a more reasonable time frame for local governments to adopt new shoreline master plans. Tell your Representatives to pass this crucial bill, supported by both business and environmentalists. Just passing out of the Senate Land Use and Planning Committee 5-0, HB 1933 allows more certain development of shoreline facilities. Visit http://www.awb.org/ga/senatelinks.asp and urge the full Senate to approve this badly needed legislation. For more information, see AWB’s Online Exclusive, “Shoreline Management Reform – A Rising Tide” at www.awb.org.

 

B&O Tax Relief in Sight - Support HB 2030! Contact YOUR Senator Today!
HB 2030 will end multiple B&O taxes for firms that do business in more than one city. Introduced by Rep. Lynn Kessler (D-24), passed by the House and supported by Gov. Locke, this important bill now awaits approval by the Senate. Contact your Senator to urge passage of HB 2030. For more information, contact AWB’s Tom Dooley at (360) 943-1600 or TomD@awb.org.

 

Save SB 5521! Don’t Let the House Wreck Health Insurance Reform!
House re-writing has damaged SB 5521, a bill to allow health insurers to offer limited health plans to small employers and to remove employee rights to retain health coverage and collectively bargain for it. Tell your Representatives to support an amendment by Rep. Cheryl Pflug (R-5) to restore SB 5521’s original language and intent. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

Senate Adds Medical Malpractice Caps to HB 1928 - Get This Bill Approved!
The Senate has added medical malpractice caps to HB 1928. Visit http://www.awb.org/ga/senatelinks.asp and tell your Senator to support this effort to reduce health care costs. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

SHB 1063 Signed Into Law - Big Victory for Washington’s Economy!
$71.7 million worth of water, sewer, roads, and bridge projects will be built throughout Washington, thanks to SHB 1063. This legislation, signed by Gov. Locke, will create an average of 13,400 private sector jobs during the next two fiscal years, and 11,000 jobs in the following two fiscal years. AWB has always been a strong advocate of the public works trust fund that makes these projects possible. For more information, contact AWB’s Gary Chandler at (360) 943-1600 or GaryC@awb.org.

 

New L&I Deputy Director of Operations - Good News for Business Community!
Washington’s employers have a real friend in Judy Schurke, newly appointed Deputy Director of Operations at the Dept. of Labor and Industries. Judy has been the Employer Member of the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) and Boeing’s Corporate Workers' Compensation Manager. AWB is working to quickly replace Judy as Employer Member at the BIIA. If you are interested in this position, contact AWB’s Clif Finch at (360) 943-1600 or ClifF@awb.org.

 

JobMakers and JobKillers – New Bills Added and Legislator Scores Updated!
Don’t be the last to learn how your legislator votes on legislation affecting the employer community. Visit http://www.jobmakers.com for updated information on 26 new JobMaker bills and 11 new JobKiller bills. Be sure to check out the ratings of your State Legislators as well.

AWB’s Health Care Forum – Don’t Miss It!
AWB will present its Health Care Forum featuring British Columbia Minister of Health Services Colin Hansen and many other great participants on May 13. Health care is a major issue facing business, government, and society. To register online, visit http://www.awb.org/calendar/healthcareforum.htm. For more information, contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

Eastern Washington Swing—Outreach Meetings in Spokane and Dayton
On April 9, AWB President Don Brunell will be in Spokane for a 7:00 a.m. Outreach meeting at the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce. On April 10, he will be in Dayton. If you wish to attend, please contact Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.