Chelan is Focus of Next Step in Governor’s Challenge
With Christine Gregoire sworn in as Washington’s governor, the focus shifts to Chelan County Superior Court where Republicans filed complaints about voting irregularities. The court will hear the case on Jan. 20. Ultimately, the issue may be decided by the Washington State Supreme Court.

Legislature is in Full Gear – Employers Must Gear Up as Well!
The 2005 legislative session kicked off last week with Democrats in charge of both the House and the Senate. With a Democratic governor who promised increases in funding for education, health care and a number of other areas in her inaugural address, there will be more pressure than ever on the budget in the face of a $1.8 billion shortfall. How the Legislature addresses the budget will have enormous impact on the economy. Attempts to jettison the 2003 unemployment insurance reforms, which are just starting to work, are also expected during this session. AWB’s great Governmental Affairs team will be there to fight for business-friendly policies, but we need your help, too! Contact your legislators, and tell them to give the UI reforms a chance to work. Also, urge them to live within their means and balance the budget without new taxes.

AWB & Nalley’s Win “The Chili Case” at the Supreme Court
AWB and Nalley’s Fine Foods scored an important victory last week at the Washington State Supreme Court. The Court ruled in favor of Nalley’s in a dispute with the Department of Revenue (DOR) over the appropriate tax rate for its manufacture of perishable food products. The DOR claimed that Nalley’s chili should be taxed at the higher rate because the end product is a nonperishable item, not a perishable meat product. Under Washington’s B&O tax statutes, a general manufacturer is taxed at three times the rate of a manufacturer of perishable meat products. AWB filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Nalley’s contention that its chili is a perishable meat product, which should be taxed at a lower rate. For more information, please contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Testifies and Urges Fiscal Responsibility at L&I!
In testimony to the House Appropriations Committee last week, AWB warned of a number of cost drivers in the general fund budget due to workers’ comp premium increases and opposed L&I’s proposed diversion of workers’ comp funds to areas such as a new computer system for WISHA. In addition, AWB weighed in against increased revenue in former Gov. Locke’s budget. We also came out strongly for online Reporting & Customer Access, Self-Insurance Electronic Reporting, the expansion of COHE (Center of Occupational Health – a successful Spokane pilot project for injured workers and their employers), and the implementation of the State Auditor finding to change the way L&I charges various funding sources for the costs of providing “indirect” or administrative costs to increase accountability within L&I. For more information, please contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Health Care Committee – Meeting Tomorrow at 10 a.m.!
AWB’s Health Care Committee will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. Please note that this meeting has been rescheduled from its original 8:30 a.m. time slot. For more information, please contact AWB’s Mellani Hughes McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Transportation Committee Meeting on Wednesday
There will be an AWB Transportation Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at AWB, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. The objective of this meeting is to coordinate AWB’s legislative strategy. The meeting is limited to AWB members. Bring your own lunch. For more information, please contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Gov. Gregoire to Address AWB Members on Feb. 9
Gov. Gregoire is scheduled to address AWB’s members on Feb. 9 at the Olympia Red Lion Hotel. It is AWB’s Legislative Reception day. You can register online at www.awb.org or by calling AWB’s Bonnie Bollig at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieB@awb.org.

AWB Water Resources Committee to Discuss Fee Increases
The AWB Water Resources Committee is meeting Friday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. to develop a position on the Columbia River Initiative and begin discussions about possible fee increases associated with the existing fee schedule. For more information, please contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

AWB Human Resources Council – Meets Feb. 4!
AWB’s Human Resources Council will meet Friday, Feb. 4, 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Olympia. The purpose of the meeting will be to review legislative issues related to human resources as they further develop. For more information, please contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Shannon Garland Takes Over as Regulatory Coordinator
AWB is happy to announce that starting Feb. 1, Shannon Garland will take over as regulatory coordinator. In this position, she will serve as AWB’s link to the state agencies. Many of you know Shannon for her work as the administrative assistant for AWB’s Governmental Affairs Department. Replacing Shannon in that role will be Alisha Boggs, who formerly worked in our Marketing Department. Congratulations, Shannon, and welcome back, Alisha!

Session Preview in Upcoming Washington Business Magazine
Look for the January issue of Washington Business Magazine and get a preview of the legislative session. It should be hitting your mailbox this week. Meanwhile, check AWB’s Web site: www.awb.org.

2005 Legislative Reception – Register Online!
AWB’s 2005 Legislative Briefing & Reception will be held Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Olympia’s Red Lion Hotel. This year’s reception is especially important since we will have a new governor and many new legislators. The election results have presented new challenges and opportunities for business. Your newly-elected senators and representatives will have a lot of pressure from all sides on many issues. Your personal contact is the most successful way to influence legislators to make business issues a priority. An improved business climate is good for all citizens of Washington state as it means more jobs and a healthy economic future. The Legislative Briefing & Reception is one of the best places to meet legislators, state elected officials and agency directors face-to-face to discuss concerns and priorities. Each year, more than 80 percent of the legislators and state officials attend our reception, which draws more than 500 attendees. Don't miss this important event! To register online, go to www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp. For more information, contact Bonnie Bollig at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieB@awb.org.

Executive Committee – Plan Ahead for March Meeting!
AWB’s Executive Committee will meet Friday, March 11, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Olympia. You are invited to attend the Executive Luncheon (12 noon-1:30 p.m.). Dr. Mark Emmert, president of the University of Washington will be the luncheon speaker. Executive Meeting 1:30-4:30 p.m. For more information contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

Governor Engler to Speak at Spring Board Meeting – Register Early!
Former Michigan Governor John Engler, the new president of the National Association of Manufacturers, will be our keynote speaker on May 24 at the AWB Annual Spring Board meeting in Spokane. We will meet at the Davenport this time. Mark your calendars and make your reservations. For more information, contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

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