President Bush Expected to Sign New Law on Faxes – What Businesses Need to Know
President Bush is expected to sign the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005. This legislation was necessary because in 2003 the Federal Communications Commission issued an order reversing its prior treatment of faxes sent to customers with whom the sender has an established business relationship. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 prohibits unsolicited fax advertisements without prior express invitation or permission, but the FCC in 1992 indicated that faxes from an entity with whom a recipient has an established business relationship were deemed to be invited or permitted. There is more to this issue. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provided AWB with a two-page memo from Piper Rudnick Gray Cary outlining what you must do to comply. For a copy of the memo, contact AWB’s Dick Walter at (360)-943-1600 or DickW@awb.org.
Identity Theft and Workers’ Comp Discussed on Washington Business Weekly – Available at www.awb.org
Identity theft is a growing concern in today’s world. State Attorney General Rob McKenna discussed practical steps that can be taken to protect yourself against this insidious crime on AWB’s Washington Business Weekly broadcast last week. In addition, AWB’s legal counsel Kris Tefft explained the Gallo decision and its implications for the state’s workers’ comp system. The show is broadcast live on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM, every Thursday, 11 to noon. 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.
DR-CAFTA Faces Uncertain Fate in House of Representatives – Urge Your Rep. to Support This Measure!
Now that the U.S. Senate has approved the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), the ball is in the U.S. House of Representatives’ court. Unfortunately, there is significant opposition to free trade in the House, and DR-CAFTA’s future is uncertain. We need to get Washington’s congressional delegation to support DR-CAFTA. So far Rep. Dicks (D) and Hastings (R), are supporting. Democrats McDermott, Smith, Baird and Larsen are opposed. Rep. Inslee (D), Reichert (R) and McMorris, (R) are uncommitted. Go to www.awb.org and contact your members of Congress.
2005 Session Wrap-up and Voting Record Headed to Printer
AWB’s staff is finalizing the 2005 Legislative Session Wrap-up and Voting Record, which will be published in the July-August issue of Washington Business magazine. We hope to have that issue to you around July 15. Save this one for the elections.
Dept. of Revenue High Tech Rulemaking Coming in August
The Dept. of Revenue will hold a series of public meetings starting Aug. 13 regarding high tech rulemaking. All July meetings have been rescheduled. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.
Agricultural Seminars to Be Held Later This Month
A series of seminars, sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington State Grange, the Washington State Horticultural Association, the Potato and Onion Association, the Wine Grape Growers and the Hop Growers of Washington, will include updates on agricultural topics. AWB’s Amber Carter and Kris Tefft will participate. Morning seminars, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., will be held in Lynden, Monday, July 25; Wenatchee, Tuesday, July 26; Othello, Wednesday, July 27; Sunnyside, Thursday, July 28; and Shelton, Friday, July 29. Afternoon seminars, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., will be held in Mt. Vernon, July 25; Okanogan, July 26, Tri-Cities, July 27; Yakima, July 28; Puyallup, July 29; and Woodland on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Cost: $20 for members of the sponsoring associations, $80 for nonmembers, including breakfast or lunch, and an updated CD copy of the Farm Bureau’s Labor and Employment manual. To register, contact Scott Dilley at (800) 331-3276 or SDilley@wsfb.com.
Workers’ Comp Committee Meetings – Mark Your Calendar for August 3 and 31
AWB’s Workers’ Comp Committee will be meeting August 3 and 31, 2005, 9 a.m.-12 noon, in the Tacoma area. An agenda and the location of the meetings will be provided at a later date. 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 director, and then with Steve Hill, Health Care Authority director. Have issues? Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.
AWB Policy Summit Sponsors Needed - Call Now!
AWB’s 16th Annual Policy Summit is scheduled for Sept. 21–23 at Semiahmoo. Sponsors are still needed. Please secure your sponsorship for this event by July 15 to receive recognition in the Summit promotional brochure. To be a sponsor, go to www.awb.org/events/policysummit/sponsors.asp. To register for the Policy Summit, visit www.awb.org/events/policysummit/register.asp. Contact AWB's Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.
Healthy Worksite Summit – Register Now!
AWB is a co-sponsor of the 2005 Healthy Worksite Summit scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4 (Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue). Learn how to build a worksite wellness program, and how policy and environmental changes can impact your employees' health and productivity. Topics include building a culture that promotes wellness, making the business case for health promotion, and connecting wellness policies to your organizational mission. For more information, please visit www.awcnet.org/worksitesummit.
Another Reason to Support the WASL - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org
