Washington Business Weekly is “On the Air” and on the Web
AWB’s Washington Business Weekly broadcast launched on Thursday. The program is broadcast live on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM, every Thursday, 11 to noon. Terry Corbell, a KING-5 columnist, is the host. AWB’s Mellani McAleenan and Weyerhaeuser’s Norm Raffaell discussed UI. You too can hear the show by logging on to www.awb.org and clicking the box in the upper right. Give us your thoughts about the broadcast and ideas for future shows. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

UI Task Force Named – First Meeting Wednesday
When the Legislature passed HB 2255, it established a task force to study unemployment insurance issues. The business community will be represented by Bruce Beckett (Weyerhaeuser Co.), Chris Cheney (Washington Growers’ League), Jan Gee (Washington Food Industry), and Brian Minnich (Building Industry Association of Washington). The task force will make recommendations to the Legislature in January. Its first meeting will be held Wednesday, June 29, 1:30-4:30 p.m., in the John Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 1, Olympia. Contact AWB’s Mellani Hughes McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

AWB Urging Members to Contact Senators Murray and Cantwell Today to Urge Them To Vote For Energy Bill
Contact Sen. Murray and Cantwell and ask them to support H.R. 6, the energy bill. The vote is scheduled for June 28. “We urge the Senate to follow the House lead and pass this balanced and comprehensive legislation,” AWB President Don Brunell said.

Global Competitiveness – Governor Looking for Our Input
Last Friday, AWB President Don Brunell met with Tom Fitzsimmons, Gov. Gregoire’s chief of staff, to talk about the governor’s global competitiveness council. It was a productive meeting. Hopefully, we can move forward to maintain and create jobs and investment opportunities. If you have thoughts, please contact Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

DOR to Hold Rulemaking Meeting on Refunds
The Dept. of Revenue will hold a public meeting Monday, July 11, 9:30 a.m. on revisions it is considering for WAC 458-20-229, regarding refunds. The draft rule is available at: http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/Rules/draft/CR101_20_229.PDF. Both meetings will be held at the Capitol Plaza Building, 1025 E Union Ave, Olympia. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Bottle Bill May Be Introduced Next Session!
Enjoy those beverages without having to return the containers for a refund while you can. Citing the need to increase recycled glass and plastic bottles, product stewardship advocates and local governments have told AWB that they may push legislation next session that adds a deposit fee to beverage containers. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

DR-CAFTA Vote Expected This Week
This week Congress is expected to vote on the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). Our effort is to get Washington’s congressional delegation to support it. So far, Congressmen Dicks (D), Hastings (R) and Sen. Murray (D) are supporting. Democrats McDermott, Smith, Baird and Larsen are opposed. Sen. Cantwell (D), Rep. Inslee (D), Reichert (R) and McMorris (R) are uncommitted. Go to www.awb.org and contact your members of Congress.

Dept. of Revenue Kicks Off Series of High-Tech Rulemaking Meetings
DOR will soon hold high-tech rulemaking meetings. The first meeting (Wed., July 13) will discuss: What is environmental technology (including whether it should include technology to increase fuel economy)? We need broad representation from the business community to review and comment on these issues. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Impacts of the Aging Workforce – An Emerging “Old” Problem
L&I’s recent symposium on the impacts of the aging workforce focused on trends in workers’ comp that employers need to be aware of as the workforce ages. Some industries already have shortages. Other industries will be affected if trends continue. AWB will work with L&I to develop a fact sheet on key trends in the state’s workers’ comp system for older workers. Let us know what questions or trends would you like identified, what are the problems that you have encountered in your place of employment, and what are the solutions you have already identified and implemented. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Meeting with CTED and Health Care Authority Heads – If You Have Items for Us to Discuss, Let Us Know
On July 14, we will meet with Juli Wilkerson, Dept. of Community, Trade and Economic Development, and then with Steve Hill, Health Care Authority director. Have issues? Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

Environmental Excellence Awards – Nomination Forms Available
AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards will be presented Oct. 19 at our annual Environmental Summit. Deadline for nominations: Sept. 9. For nomination forms, visit www.ecwashington.org. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

AWB Member Information Update – We Respect Your Privacy!
This week you will receive a mailing asking you to update your member information. This is for our use only! This information is not shared or sold. We use it only to communicate with you.