Workers’ Comp Reform Hearings Set – Be There to Let Your Legislators Know Reform is Needed
AWB’s workers’ compensation reform legislation has been introduced as SB 5378, and is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Commerce & Trade Committee on January 30 at 8:00 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 4 of the John A Cherberg Building in Olympia. A background document with talking points is available and a link to the bill text is provided at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/Senate/5375-5399/5378.pdf. Also scheduled for hearing the same day is L&I’s Request Legislation on Hearing Loss Claims and their version of workers’ compensation reform which has not been formally introduced yet. The hearing loss bill has been introduced as SB 5271 and it can be found at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/Senate/5250-5274/5271.pdf. YOU NEED TO WEIGH IN AND CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS. At least send them an e-mail by logging on to www.awb.org and clicking to your legislator’s e-mail address. It just takes a few seconds to make a big difference. Tell them the workers’ comp system needs reform this year and you can’t take that average 29 percent rate increase. Above all, tell them to support the reforms advocated by AWB. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org. 

 

Other States Offer Possible Deficit Solutions---Here’s What’s Going on in Connecticut
This year, Washington state is tackling a multibillion dollar deficit. So are many other states. Here’s what’s going on in Connecticut. Gov. John G. Rowland asked the state’s workforce to help shoulder some of the burden of the state’s $2 billion revenue shortfall with their pay and other benefits. Gov. Rowland proposed a three-part plan to generate and retain revenue to bridge the budget gap. They include: spending cuts of $200 million through fiscal 2003 (which ends on June 30) and $400 million for fiscal 2004 (beginning July 1); tax increases of $200 million in fiscal 2003 and $360 million in fiscal 2004; and state employee concessions. To balance the 2004 budget, spending cuts and tax hikes will have to be implemented now instead of waiting until next year. He also asked for three concessions from state-wide employees, which includes an 18-month give-back of 2 percent of wages effective immediately with a freeze of all wage increases for fiscal 2004; an increase in the health premiums by 5 percentage points; and an increase in their drug copays from $3 for a 90-day supply to $5 to $15 for a 30-day supply.

 

Reg. Reform Bills go to Senate – Find Out More!
The Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee held public hearings on seven AWB regulatory reform bills. Four bills were voted on, passed, and sent to the Senate Rules Committee. AWB’s Amber Carter testified in support of the bills and while the testimony was well received, committee members requested additional examples of how a regulatory agency failed to notify business of newly adopted rules and how a specific business or industry was adversely affected as a result. The committee would also like examples of regulations that exceed federal standards, have little or no benefit, and have caused a business or industry to be less competitive. Share your stories with AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

AWB Legislative Reception Approaching Fast – Become a Sponsor Today!
The annual Association of Washington Business Legislative Reception is slated for Feb. 12 at the WestCoast Hotel in Olympia. “The AWB Legislative Reception is one of the best venues to meet your legislators, state elected officials and agency directors face-to-face to discuss business issues and priorities,” said AWB Board Chair Heidi Stanley. “Historically, as many as 80 percent of our senators and representatives attend the reception, giving it the reputation of being the business community’s reception for the Legislature each year.” The success of the Legislative Reception comes from AWB member sponsorship. Sponsors of the event are recognized before, during and after the reception in AWB’s newsletter and Washington Business magazine. To find out more on becoming a sponsor, contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

Want to Know How New York is Handling Regulatory Reform? Article at www.awb.org 
In the last week, there have been several excellent articles and editorials about what’s at stake in Olympia this year. Go to AWB’s website www.awb.org and link to the up-to-date news. For example, to learn how New York is handling regulatory reform, go to http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=55259.

 

Business Coalition Going Strong---Letter Being Sent to All Legislators Outlining Priorities
With so much at stake this year in Olympia, AWB helped form the Coalition of Washington Business Organizations (COWBO). COWBO met on Thursday at AWB and plans to send all legislators a letter outlining its priorities for the legislative session. On the original letter sent to Gov. Locke and legislative leaders, a dozen business organizations including AWB signed the letter. The organizations endorsing COWBO’s priorities keeps growing. For a copy of the letter, contact Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

 

Be Part of Environmental Action - Save the Date!
Plan to attend the 2003 Environmental Conference of Washington June 11 and 12 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. AWB, the NW Environmental Business Council, and Preston Gates & Ellis LLP will host the conference. Go to www.ecwashington.org or call AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

 

What to Do When Uncle Sam Calls----AWB’s Guide to Help Your Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen
Uncle Sam is calling many reservists back to active duty. Our own Scott Carlson, a Marine, is among them. AWB urges our members to fully support our soldiers, sailors and airmen (women). In fact, AWB helped support the new laws protecting reservists a few years ago. To learn how you can help your men and women in uniform, check the fact sheets and employer often asked-questions at the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve website at http://www.esgr.org/ or contact the Washington State Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at (253) 512-8468.

 

HealthChoice Now AWB Incentive – Find Out More Today!
AWB offers great member incentives, including health care. Teaming up with Premera Blue Cross, AWB is able to supply its members with one of the most outstanding values available in health insurance today. Subscribers to this coverage need not worry about consulting a primary physician in order to make an appointment with a specialist and use any licensed provider under the Premera Blue Cross Preferred Provider plan. Three of four plans offer AWB members coverage for several health services without the need to meet an annual deductible. Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.