Gov. Christine Gregoire said today she will designate $42 million to restore and protect Puget Sound. She also named a panel of Washingtonians to study clean-up efforts across the country and make recommendations about further clean-up efforts. The Governor’s legislative package provides $42 million from existing and available revenue sources to: clean up toxic sites; prevent oil spills and continuing toxic contamination; restore near-shore, estuary and salmon habitats; help homeowners with the sound clean-up; and make state parks and other state facilities more environmentally sound, beginning with wastewater and sewer projects at six marine state parks. For more details go to www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=218&newsType=1.

 The U.S. House of Representatives has approved oil exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This measure was tacked onto a Pentagon spending bill that must pass Congress before it adjourns. The measure now goes to the U.S. Senate.Go to http://www.awb.org/, and tell Sen. Cantwell and Murray to support environmentally safe exploration at ANWR.

 

Gov. Gregoire’s 2006 supplemental budget proposal, to be released on Tuesday, targets extra money for children’s health care, to help schools with rising fuel costs, to boost private development of alternative fuel plants in eastern Washington, and to cover new public school enrollments. She also plans a $176 million contribution to the state’s several pension funds. That money would help retire future pension obligations, which, according to The Olympian now exceed investments by about $4 billion. Gregoire is targeting an additional $700 million to cover a potential increase in pension payment requirements starting in next budget cycle (July 2007). Washington’s improved economy has created a surge of revenue that has raised the expected surplus through June 2007 to $1.4 billion — far more than the roughly $180 million built into the budget just eight months ago.

 

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) joined with the Council on State Taxation (COST) in a friend of the court brief urging the Washington Supreme Court to review a lower court tax decision that undermines the fair and uniform application of accepted valuation principles.The case involves how to value goods for excise taxes which are exchanged between related entities. AWB filed its brief in this case earlier. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

The December/January issue of Law and Politics listed AWB’s General Counsel Kris Tefft as a rising star among in-house counsels and AWB’s newest governmental affairs team member Chris McCabe as a rising star in real estate law. Congratulations!

 

At the most recent global competitiveness council meeting, Washington’s revenue forecaster Dr. Chang Mook Sohn told us there are danger signs on the horizon. Even though the state is projected to receive about $1.4 billion more in this biennium, Sohn says save it. The economy may slow as housing and real estate cool down, fuel costs remain high, and interest rates start rising!

 

The Dept. of Ecology is reviewing comments from stakeholders and interested parties, including AWB, on its proposed persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBT) rule. DOE will issue its response to comments and the final rule by Dec 31. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

DOE’s final draft chemical action plan for PBDE flame retardants is available for public comments. Comments are due Dec. 30. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

The UI Business Coalition will meet 11 a.m., Jan. 3 at AWB to prepare for the final UI Task Force meeting, rescheduled from Dec. 14 to Jan. 4. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at MellaniM@awb.org

 

Two Versions of E-Waste Bill to Be Presented at Jan. 12 Meeting
The PBT Workgroup electronic waste legislation meeting, originally scheduled earlier this month, has been rescheduled to Jan. 12, 1:30-3 p.m. at AWB. Two different e-waste recycling bills will be presented. The PBT Workgroup will recommend a position that AWB should take on the legislation, which will be forward to the Governmental Affairs Council for a final decision. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

AWB's Legislative Reception - Sign Up to Sponsor, Register Today!
AWB's Legislative Reception is coming to Olympia on Feb. 8. Please pledge your support for this great event. To become a sponsor, see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp. Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org

 

AWB has a document briefing you on what you need to do to comply with Initiative 901, the smoking ban, which took effect on Dec. 8. See it at www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=1075&z=9. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

Chris McCabe will discuss AWB’s legislative objectives for 2006 on Washington Business Weekly. Faith Lumsden, of the Office of Regulatory Assistance, will also discuss how her office helps businesses comply with state regulations. The program airs 11 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday, on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM. You may also listen at http://www.awb.org/. If you have ideas for guests or topics, please let us know. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

Now that I-901 passed, Gov. Gregoire asked Washington’s tribes to implement the same smoke free rule imposed by I-901. The target is tribal casinos which are not impacted by the smoking ban. They are taking her request under advisement.

Better Workplace Awards – Send Nominations by Jan. 6

 AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that provide great work environments. Submit nominations by Jan. 6 to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

AWB members may now take advantage of sponsorship opportunities with one, consolidated billing. An added benefit is that registrations for the events are included as part of the package. Contact AWB’s Deb Brown at (360) 943-1600 or DebraB@awb.org.

 

 

OSHA 10-Hour Voluntary Compliance Course – Seating is Limited, So Register Now! Sponsored by AWB CompWise Program, this voluntary compliance course will be held on Feb. 1 at AWB. Register now at www.awb.org/events/oshacompliance.asp. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

Rothenberg Confirmed as Keynote for Annual Spring Meeting, Spokane
Noted national political handicapper Stu Rothenberg will be the keynote dinner speaker at AWB’s Annual Spring Meeting in Spokane on May 23. Rothenberg is editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, a Washington-based biweekly newsletter that reports on and analyzes U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial elections, presidential politics, and current political developments.

Another Justice Johnson? Sen. Johnson to Run for Supreme Court - Reichert Wants His Senate Seat

 Call him Justice Stephen L. Johnson? Sen. Johnson, R-Kent, a consistent AWB Cornerstone winner, will run for the state Supreme Court. Johnson voted 90 percent on AWB’s voting record in 2005 and 95 percent from 2001-2004. Congressman Dave Reichert’s brother, Steve, quickly announced for Johnson’s position in the 47^th District (Kent, Auburn, Black Diamond and Covington). If Stephen Johnson is elected, he will join Justices Charles W. Johnson and James M. Johnson on the state’s high court.

 

Dan Pero, president of the American Justice Partnership, will meet with AWB’s Board on Feb. 8 in Olympia to talk about legal reform. His presentation is part of the legislative reception day activities at the Red Lion in Olympia. AJP is a nationwide coalition seeking to curb lawsuit abuse. AWB is founding member of AJP. Contact Jennifer Davis at JenniferD@awb.org to register.

 

AWB would like to invite chambers and their members to attend this event, Feb. 1, 9:30 a.m. in the General Administration Auditorium in Olympia. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

It is the Christmas Spirit that Counts - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.