Anti-UI Reform Bill Poised to Go to Senate Floor for a Vote — We Must Stop it Now!
EHB 2255, a bill that would gut 2003’s much needed reforms to Washington’s unemployment insurance system, has moved to the Senate Rules Committee where it is only one step away from a vote on the Senate floor. AWB strongly opposes this measure! Please help AWB oppose this terrible legislation by going to www.awb.org and telling your senator to stop EHB 2255, and allow the new UI reforms to work. For information, see www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=946&z=2. Contact AWB’s Mellani Hughes McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Big Win for Business Community - Reference Check Bill Approved by Senate, 48-0!
Last week the Senate overwhelmingly passed HB 1625, a measure that will make it easier and less risky from a legal standpoint for employers to perform reference checks. Not even one senator voted against this measure. It now awaits the signature of Gov. Gregoire, who has indicated she will support it. AWB worked for years to pass this legislation, which is a great victory for the business community in this state. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Governor’s Signature Bill in Senate Rules Committee – Tell Senators You Support HB 1276 Without Committee Amendment!
HB 1276, the bill that would require the governor’s signature on significant agency rules is pending a vote on the Senate floor. Unfortunately, the bill was amended in the Senate Government Operations Committee at the request of the governor’s office to only require the governor’s signature when there are 50 “non form-like” objections in the rule record. The bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 93-1. In the bill’s original form, it would apply to all significant rules. AWB supports the underlying bill, but opposes the Senate committee amendment that weakens the governor’s accountability. Go to www.awb.org and tell your senators to support HB 1276 without the committee amendment! Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

California Emissions Bill Nearing Senate Floor Vote – Help Stop This Job-Killer!
HB 1397, which would bring California’s strict vehicle emissions standards to Washington state, is close to receiving a floor vote in the Senate. If passed, HB 1397 will increase the cost of new cars by $3,000 while offering no measurable improvement to Washington’s air quality. Under this legislation, Washington state would be required to adopt whatever changes to vehicle emission standards the California Air Resources Board implements in the future. Help AWB stop this JobKiller bill by going to www.awb.org and telling your senator that you don’t want our state’s policy decisions made in California. Urge your senator vote “NO” on HB 1397! Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

House Releases Transportation Plan – Includes 9.5 Cent Gas Tax Increase Between 2005 and 2008!
On Monday the House of Representatives released its $5.54 billion transportation plan, including a 9.5 cent gas tax increase to be phased in between 2005 and 2008. In contrast to the earlier Senate transportation plan, there are no local options in the House’s proposal. The Senate’s $8 billion transportation finance plan includes a five-cent gas tax increase (two steps) and a one-cent per gallon increase for the next 10 years. Mindful of the strong feelings by members on past funding proposals, AWB has asked its Board members for their input on the Senate and House plans. AWB supports increased funding and accountability for targeted transportation projects, but we need to determine the range of our members’ support. e-mail your thoughts to AWB President Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org. Tom McBride at TomM@awb.org is our transportation staffer and can answer technical questions. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org for details of the Senate and House proposals.

Gary Weeks is New L&I Director – Will Address AWB Board Meeting, May 25, in Spokane!
Gov. Gregoire has announced her new L&I director. He is Gary Weeks, currently the director of the Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon’s largest state agency with 9,500 employees and a budget of $9.5 billion. He will address our Board on May 25 in Spokane. Save the date and plan to attend. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owens at Last Week’s Lobby Lunch – Emphasizes Need for Competitiveness!
At last week’s Lobby Lunch, Lt. Gov. Brad Owens explained his role in state government and came out strongly for Washington to become more competitive, especially in international trade and tourism. “We are dismal in trade and economic development,” commented Owens, who is hoping to convince the governor to invest more in those areas.

Victor Moore of OFM at This Week’s Lobby Lunch – Focus on State Budget!
This Thursday, April 14, at 12 noon, Victor Moore of the state’s Office of Financial Management will be at the next Lobby Lunch. Expect an enlightening discussion on budgetary issues. Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

Support Veterans and Their Families – Welcome Them Home!
On Saturday, April 16, the citizens of Washington will have the opportunity to show their support of veterans and their families at a “Welcome Them Home” celebration on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The day’s events will provide an opportunity for ALL veterans to be “welcomed home” from the newest veterans of our state who have been defending our country in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle – to the 670,000 experienced veterans of Washington state. This event, co-sponsored by AWB, will include a “Welcome Them Home” ceremony at the state’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial beginning at 12:00 noon. Keynote speaker will be MG Timothy Lowenberg, Adjutant of the Washington Military Department, with guest speaker First Gentleman Mike Gregoire. Other events include an Information and Assistance Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a “Roll-In-Thunder” motorcycle ride arriving at the Memorial shortly before the noon ceremony, bringing motorcyclists from throughout the Puget Sound area. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the Minuteman Emergency Assistance Fund, a 501(c) (3) administered by the National Guard. For ride information, call Darla Hale at (360) 459-7749 or DHale012994@yahoo.com. For additional information on “Welcome Them Home,” call (360) 725-2180, Colleen@dva.wa.gov or go to www.dva.wa.gov.

AWB Makes it Easy for Your Voice to Be Heard – Contact Your Legislators at www.awb.org!
Business needs a strong voice in Olympia, and AWB is providing businesses with a great new tool to reach lawmakers. AWB.org has just launched a new feature making it easier to find and contact your state senators and representatives. A "Send Message" feature has been added to the profiles of each and every member of the Washington State House or Senate. Just fill in your information and send your comments directly over the Web. You can even send yourself a copy of your message for your records. Access this feature by going to www.awb.org and search for your representative under "Find Your Legislator." For an advanced search, go to www.awb.org/members/electionguide/search.asp. For more information, contact AWB's Lex Nepomuceno at AlexisN@awb.org.

Gov. 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. Mark your calendars and make your reservations. Contact Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Do You Know Someone Who Should Be on AWB’s Board? Nominations are Being Taken!
AWB’s Annual Spring Board meeting is coming soon. At the meeting we will be choosing new members of AWB’s Board. If you know of an AWB member you think should be on our board, please send us that person’s name in nomination form. Deadline: May 24. Contact AWB’s Dick Walter at (360) 943-1600 or DickW@awb.org.

Have Your Company’s Contribution to Community Service Recognized!
AWB is presenting a series of Community Service Awards to recognize our members’ volunteerism and contributions, which make our communities better places in which to live and work. The Community Service Awards will be presented during a special dinner held in conjunction with the May 24 AWB Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane. Submit your applications before Friday, April 22 at www.awb.org/services/awards/csaawards.asp.

Make Your Hotel Reservations for Policy Summit - Capitol Steps Are Coming!
No one satirizes national politics better than the Capitol Steps, the entertaining musical parody group from Washington, D.C. AWB is proud to announce that the Capitol Steps will be the Thursday night entertainment at the Policy Summit on Sept. 22, at the Semiahmoo Resort. Make your hotel reservations now by calling (800) 770-7992 or e-mail: Hotel@semiahmoo.com.

Are You Overpaying Your Workers’ Comp Premium? We Can Help!
Your company could be paying more than what is required because your company may not be properly classified by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), tax laws have changed since you first opened your L&I account, or your business operations have changed. In addition, you may be overpaying because you are not aware of exceptions, exclusions and inclusions that affect how you report hours within your classifications. The manner in which you report hourly and salaried employees can significantly impact the amount of premiums you pay. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org to find out how to receive a FREE classification analysis of your business to see if you qualify for a refund and future savings on workers’ compensation.

Labor Law Posters Available – Order Now!
Agencies of both the state and federal governments require various postings be available in a common area regularly visited by employees where they have an unobstructed opportunity to read them. Recently, legislation amended the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) requiring employers to post a new notice providing information about the rights of military service personnel to job reinstatement and other benefits. Posting this information has been mandatory since March 10, 2005. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org to order your labor law poster. In the meantime, before you order and receive your AWB labor law poster, you may download, print and post a temporary USERRA-compliant poster from the U.S. Dept. of Labor at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/poster.pdf.

AWB’s HealthChoice – A Great Health Care Alternative!
Looking for affordable, quality health insurance for you and your employees? If so, AWB HealthChoice could be the right choice. Plans offered have deductibles ranging from $250 to $1000, and three Health Savings Account (HSA) options are also available. Companies with a minimum of two employees qualify for coverage. For benefit information, contact Helen Siggins at (866) 448-9577.

Check Out www.JobMakers.com- Track Your Legislators on How They’re Doing to Keep Our Economic Recovery Moving!
AWB’s JobMaker’s Web site is up and running. Other states are adopting it as a prototype. JobMakers is a cooperative partnership between AWB and the Washington Roundtable. Check it out and see how your legislators are doing! Then e-mail them by connecting to our Web site www.awb.org. Listen for two new radio ads, produced by AWB and WashACE, that mention www.JobMakers.com.