Don’t forget to vote! Mail ballots need to be sent this week. The initiatives are the most important items on the ballot. As a reference, AWB’s Board voted to support Initiatives 900 and 330, oppose Initiatives 912 and 336 and remained neutral on 901. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at ShannonG@awb.org. Get out and vote!

 

 AWB is sending a letter to L&I Director Gary Weeks asking him to postpone the average 3.8 percent workers’ comp rate increase. AWB wants to see the results of the audit of the reserves before considering changes in the rate. This rate increase would take effect on Jan. 1. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

 

 H.R. 420, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, has been approved in the U.S. Among other needed provisions, this bill would put an end to forum shopping for lawsuits. H.R. 420 now goes to the U.S. Senate. Thanks for urging your members of Congress to support this bill. Grassroots action really does pay off. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

AWB’s Kris Tefft will join with representatives of the Washington Roundtable, Building Industry Association of Washington, National Federation of Independent Business, and the Liability Reform Coalition to discuss the importance of Initiative 330’s medical liability reforms in creating a thriving economic climate in Washington. This press conference will be held at the Washington State Hospital Association, 300 Elliott Avenue West, Seattle, 9-9:45 a.m., Nov. 1. “I-330’s proven reforms are a critical step toward the goal of ensuring access to quality care for the citizens of Washington,” commented Tefft. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

Register for Regional Board meetings and Legislative receptions at Everett (Nov. 8), Bellevue (Nov. 9), Tacoma (Nov. 10), Vancouver (Nov. 15), Tri-Cities (Nov. 16) and Spokane (Nov. 17). The legislative receptions are designed to show appreciation to local legislators who have supported the business community. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

Rep. Jim McIntire, D-Seattle, chair of the House of Representatives Finance Committee, will discuss Washington state’s tax system and the possibility of structural reform. The meeting will be held Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m.–12 noon (Deloitte, 925 4th Avenue, Ste. 3300, Seattle). Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

 

It is official, former Safeco CEO Mike McGavick will run for the United States Senate as a Republican. He may face former KIRO TV news anchor Susan Hutchinson in the GOP primary. The winner will face Democrat incumbent Maria Cantwell who is not expected to have a primary challenger.

 

The Department of Revenue is exploring options for working more effectively with businesses. Businesses are invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with DOR Director Cindi Yates and other senior DOR officials to discuss a variety of issues. Your feedback will help DOR provide the services you need right now and explore changes that will make the agency more responsive to your needs for the future. The discussion will be held Thursday, Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m.–12 noon at the Red Lion Center, Yakima. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

 

In a fax to Washington’s Congressional delegation, AWB President Don Brunell emphasized the need to open exploration of a tiny portion of the 19 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Preserve (ANWR). Congress is considering allowing exploration as part of the budget reconciliation act. Brunell, who has toured Alaska’s North Slope production facilities, said new technology allows extraction of oil with very little impact. In fact, the new production facilities in the existing oil fields are just a few acres and only accessible by helicopter or ice road. “If we are going to break the grip that foreign countries have on our energy, allowing exploration in ANWR is essential,” Brunell wrote.

 

State Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Grandview, will be at the Tri-Cities Luncheon to receive the Jim Matson Award as AWB’s Legislator of the Year. Our luncheon is held in conjunction with the Tri-City Area Chamber of Commerce. Join us in congratulating Sen. Honeyford. Contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org to attend the legislative recognition lunches.

 

AWB’s Tax & Financial Policy Council will meet on Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m.–12 noon, in Seattle at Deloitte.We will address the effect of AWB v. DOR on whether the 1995 Regulatory Reform Act removed an agency’s authority to adopt purely interpretive, non-binding regulations. DOR will discuss its 2006 legislative agenda. New legislative ideas from the business community will also be discussed. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

 AWB’s new Education Committee will be meeting Nov. 4 at the Washington Roundtable, 10 a.m.-12 noon, in Seattle. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

 

In a presentation to the Washington Chamber of Commerce Executives, the professional development association for chamber executives, AWB President Don Brunell said chambers are important to the business community’s grassroots support for legislative and regulatory issues. AWB pledged to assist local chamber executives in developing their issues management and grassroots programs as part of their professional development. Shannon Garland is coordinating the project for AWB. Contact Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

 

 Over the years, AWB President Don Brunell has traveled around the state during the legislative session to make issue presentations to chambers of commerce, services clubs and members groups. He highlights what is happening in the Legislature and outlines actions members need to take as the legislative session unfolds. Contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org to arrange your presentation.

 

Lt. Gov. Brad Owens will talk about his trade missions and how they contribute to economic growth on this week’s Washington Business Weekly. The program airs 11 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday, on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM. You may also listen at http://www.awb.org/.

2005 Statewide Small Business Conferences – Coming in November

Washington Policy Center with AWB will sponsor two Statewide Business Conferences this November – one at the Three Rivers Convention Center in the Tri-Cities (Nov. 10) and one at the SeaTac Hilton (Nov. 17). Major issues facing the business community will be discussed. Register at www.washingtonpolicy.org/SmallBusiness.html. Call (888) 972-9272 to be a sponsor.

 

The Governor’s Global Competitiveness Council will be meeting on Nov. 16. The Council is looking at issues like health care, pensions and regulatory reform—big ticket items for business and government. AWB is very involved in the Council, giving input on issues ranging from predictability, marketing, tourism, infrastructure, skills training and innovation. Please continue to send us your helpful input. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

AWB will be sponsoring the state’s Holiday Kids’ Tree at the Capitol Campus in Olympia. To date, we’ve collected over $9,000 toward our goal of $15,000. AWB uses the money to pay for the tree decorations and to provide funds so rural firefighters can purchase Christmas presents for needy families. You can help by sending your contribution to the AWB Capital Holiday Kids’ Tree. Contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

 Washington’s minimum wage will increase 28 cents to $7.63 an hour beginning Jan. 1. L&I recalculates the state’s minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688, which was approved by Washington voters in 1998. The law requires that the state minimum wage be adjusted each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 months ending each Aug. 31. The CPI-W measures the average change in prices on a fixed “market basket” of goods and services such as food, shelter, medical care, transportation and other goods and services people purchase for day-to-day living. It increased 3.8 percent during the 12-month period ending Aug. 31, compared to a 2.6 percent increase during the same period in 2004. Washington’s current minimum wage is $7.35 an hour. The minimum wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, although 14 and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage. AWB wants the Legislature to address changes before the spread worsens. Idaho, for example, has a $5.15 minimum wage.

 

Get Your Small Business Ready for Emergencies – Go to http://www.ready.gov/ According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employers; provide approximately 75 percent of the net new jobs added to the economy; and represent 97 percent of all U.S. exporters.Unfortunately, small to medium-sized businesses are also the most vulnerable in the event of an emergency. By taking some steps ahead of time, many of these businesses can be better prepared to survive and recover after an emergency, thus making the nation and the economy more stable. A great way to start getting more prepared is by visiting visit the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Ready Business campaign Web site at http://www.ready.gov/. The website provides practical steps and easy-to-use templates that can assist businesses in tasks such as creating an evacuation plan; planning for fire safety; considering people with special needs in their plans; securing facilities and equipment; and reviewing insurance coverage.