Rossi Certified Winner of Gubernatorial Race – Democrats File for Statewide Hand Recount
Even though Dino Rossi was certified as the victor in Washington’s gubernatorial contest last week by Secretary of State Sam Reed, Democrats came up with $730,000 and filed for a statewide hand recount.  Democrats also went to court to have all provisional and disqualified ballots across the state counted. The recount is expected to start Tuesday or Wednesday and is expected to be done by Christmas. 

 

 Will UW have a new football coach before Washington has its next governor?  Maybe!  Speculation for lots of office pools.

 

Rossi Continuing Transition Work—AWB Helping
Gov-elect Dino Rossi is continuing to work on selecting his key staff and transition into office while the recounting continues.  AWB is assisting as well.  We’re looking for folks we can recommend to his transition team.  If you know someone or have an interest, please let AWB’s Don Brunell (DonB@awb.org) or Gary Chandler (GaryC@awb.org) know. 

 

New AWB Survey – Child Support and Debt Collection!
Please go to www.awb.org/cgi-bin/SelectSurvey/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=109 and fill out AWB’s latest online survey. We are trying to learn more about government’s use of businesses for collection of child support and bad debts. Thank you for your assistance!  We’ll let you know what we learn.

 

Temporary Restraining Order Issued on “Hanford Cleanup” I-297 – Hearing to Be Held Dec. 13!
U.S. District Judge Alan McDonald issued a temporary restraining order on “Hanford cleanup” Initiative 297 on Dec. 2, the same day the law was to take effect. The order, requested by federal attorneys, prevents the I-297 from taking effect until a preliminary injunction hearing is held, now scheduled for Dec. 13.  The attorneys argued that in addition to barring the Dept. of Energy from sending radioactive waste to Hanford, the initiative could slow down or stop cleanup activities at Hanford. AWB opposed I-297. Contact AWB's Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Department of Revenue Hearing – Scheduled for Dec. 20!
A public hearing and meeting on Dept. of Revenue rules will be at Olympia’s Capitol Plaza Building at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 20 (Repealing WAC 458-12-320 – Timber, Ownership, Valuations, Roads, Easements). Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

 

AWB 100th Anniversary Pendleton Blanket is a Great Holiday Present—Order Today!
If you like Pendleton’s famed National Park woolen blanket series, you’ll love AWB’s 100th Anniversary commemorative blanket.  You can order yours for $119 and have it shipped to you free.  Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at BonnieM@awb.org or call (360) 943-1600.  It is a great gift at a great price!

 

Gary Moore Will Address Dec. 8 Board Meeting – Better Workplace Awards to Be Announced!
Gary Moore, the former state lead negotiator on the state’s first collective bargaining agreement, will address AWB’s Board of Directors. This event will take place Wednesday, Dec. 8, 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Madison Renaissance in Seattle. At the luncheon (12 noon-1:30 p.m., $45 per person), the Better Workplace Award winners will be presented. Currently, judges are evaluating all 23 nominees.   The Board will meet from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register online at www.awb.org/events/DecBoard.asp, or contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

 

Dick Davis Will Provide Board with Overview of State’s Revenue Shortfall
Washington Research Council President Dick Davis will provide the Board with the details of the state’s revenue picture.  It is not bright as the Legislature is expected to deal with a $1.6 billion gap between tax collections and current state expenditures. Learn what needs to be done to insure business doesn’t bear the brunt of more than a $1 billion in new taxes like it did in 1993.

 

Speaker Chopp to Discuss 2005 Legislative Agenda – Mark Date Change on Your Calendar!
AWB’s UI Committee meeting, originally scheduled for Dec. 15 has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rainier Tower, (1301 5th Ave, Seattle) in the Elliott Bay Room. House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) will attend to discuss with AWB members anticipated legislative issues related to the state’s unemployment insurance system.  In particular, Speaker Chopp will comment on potential changes to 2ESB 6097, the unemployment insurance overhaul legislation passed in 2003.  In addition, ESD rule proposals and ESD budget issues, as well as any other items of interest to committee members, will be discussed. An additional update on the 2005 ESD budget proposal will also be presented. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org. 

 

Tax and Fiscal Policy Council to Meet Jan. 4 – OFM Director Brown Will Speak!
AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at AWB in Olympia. OFM Director Marty Brown will attend this meeting to brief the council on the governor’s proposed 2005-2007 budget. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

 

AWB Members Make Capitol Campus Holiday Tree Fundraising Drive a Big Success - $11,000 Raised!
The fundraising drive surrounding last week’s Capitol Campus tree lighting ceremony has been a great success. AWB members donated over $11,000 which will be given to 11 different rural fire departments so they can buy gifts and food for needy families in their areas.  Gov. Locke appeared at the tree lighting.  So did Santa and his two elves. Christmas cheer was shared by all who attended! Go to www.awb.org to see who sponsored the event.

 

Washington Business Magazine Needs Your “People on the Move” Stories – Send by Dec. 13!
AWB’s Washington Business Magazine is hard at work on its January-February 2005 issue. Wanted: Short blurbs from members about staff promotions, etc., for the People on the Move section. Send all submissions to AWB’s Ron Dalby at RonD@awb.org.

 

AWB HealthChoice Announces New Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans
Starting January 1, 2005, AWB HealthChoice will offer three new HSA plans providing a lower-cost alternative to traditional health insurance products. HSAs are tax-free savings accounts combined with a high deductible health plan allowing individuals to save for qualified medical expenses on a tax-free basis. Both the employer and employee may contribute to the same account during the same calendar year and contributions are allowed up to 100% of the health plan deductible. The HSA account is employee-owned and unused funds rollover from year to year, earning interest tax-free. For more information, call AWB HealthChoice Account Manager Helen Siggins at 1-800-681-7177.

 

New Health Insurance Option for Companies in Clark County
AWB HealthChoice is excited to announce that LifeWise of Washington plans will be available through AWB HealthChoice effective Jan. 1, 2005. For more information, call AWB HealthChoice Account Manager Helen Siggins at 1-800-681-7177.

 

Your Business Can Receive Refunds on Workers’ Comp Premiums - Join AWB CompWise Today!
AWB CompWise gives you the opportunity to receive refunds on the premiums you pay to L&I. Find out how at www.awb.org/services/compwise/index.asp. CompWise’s next enrollment deadline is Dec. 15, so act now! Contact AWB’s Jon Teague at (360) 943-1600 or JonT@awb.org.