Bill to Permanently Gut 2003 UI Reforms Introduced in Senate – AWB Will Strongly Oppose
Last Thursday, SB 6885, which would permanently end the AWB-supported 2003 UI reforms, was introduced in the Senate. This bill, which includes a provision to make two quarter averaging permanent, is bad news for business. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislators not to undo the 2003 reforms. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

AWB-Supported Bill to Enforce Wage Payment is Passed Out of Committee
Working with Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, AWB has brokered a balanced compromise on a bill providing L&I administrative authority to enforce wage payment laws and penalize wrongdoers. It has been a longtime legislative objective for AWB members to secure a bill that penalizes scofflaws while protecting honest employers who follow complicated wage and hour laws. HB 3125, which was just out passed out of the House Commerce & Labor Committee, accomplishes that objective.  Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Agreement Signed To Remove Mercury Switches from Vehicles
In the spirit of working together through a public-private partnership, automakers have joined with the recyclers and the Department of Ecology to create a program to remove and safely dispose of mercury switches from motor vehicles. Last session, AWB opposed HB 1731, a pure manufacturer take-back bill, in favor of establishing a voluntary program funded by resources from both the private and public sectors. The agreement is a demonstration of how to resolve legacy waste issues through a voluntary approach. Unfortunately, advocates of HB 1731 will attempt to resurrect the bill this session. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Bill to Kill Death Tax May Be Voted on Tomorrow
House GOP leadership will make a motion for a floor vote on a bill to end Washington’s estate tax – better known as the death tax – tomorrow. AWB has long supported eliminating this cruel burden on family-owned businesses and has worked hard to enact this legislation. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislators that you oppose the death tax. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Fire Safety Sacrificed for Extreme Environmentalism
The Department of Ecology and the Department of Health are actively advocating that the legislature pass HB 1488 / SB 5515, which bans products containing PBDE flame retardants, believing that the business community will then be forced to discover new replacement products. Despite their own analysis, which has been used by other states as a reason NOT to ban Deca-BDE, Ecology and Health are advocating a ban on this non-toxic, highly-effective flame retardant. Retailers who sell electronics, furniture and mattresses will be affected first, but Deca-BDE is used in an extremely wide variety of applications. Banning chemicals based on the precautionary principle rather than science creates an impossible burden of proof for manufacturers to show that chemicals detected in the environment cannot create harm. If the bill passes, Washington state will be the only place in the entire world to ban Deca-BDE. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

AWB’s Legislative Reception and Board Meeting Coming Feb. 8 – Last Chance to Register! 
AWB's Legislative Reception is coming to Olympia on Feb. 8. To register, see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp. American Petroleum Institute’s (APIs) Chief Economist John Felmy and Dan Pero, president of the American Justice Partnership, will meet with AWB’s Board on Feb. 8 in Olympia to talk about legal reform. Felmy and Pero’s presentations are part of the Legislative Reception day activities at the Red Lion in Olympia. Prior to the Board meeting, Gov. Gregoire will speak at the Legislative Luncheon, and Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald will speak on transportation priorities during the day program.  Contact AWB’s Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

Research Council Looks at Competitive Contracting
According to the Washington Research Council, the foundation has been laid for competition in state government service delivery.  Necessary rules and regulations – perhaps more complex than many competitive sourcing advocates would have desired – are in place for a competitive model that recognizes and values the experience and dedication of existing public employees.  But while competitive contracting may be a simple concept, it is not easy. Nor will it be eagerly embraced here in Washington. Public employee unions will likely continue to resist competition. And while state government managers may have the authority to consider competitive strategies, this authority is not secure beyond the next collective bargaining session. For more on this topic, see the full paper at: http://researchcouncil.blogs.com/weblog/files/competitive_contracting_feb_2_2006.pdf.

Hewitt, Honeyford & DeBolt Believe “Pay or Play” Dead for 2006 – But Look Out in 2007
Echoing statements made last week by Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla; Sen. James Honeyford, R-Sunnyside; and House Minority Leader Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, agreed that the “pay or play” legislation, which would require employers with 5,000 or more employees to spend 9 percent on employee health care or get hit with a state health care tax, is not likely to be enacted this year, but won’t go away. In the meantime, go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislator to oppose HB 2517/SB 6356, which would enact “pay or play.” Contact Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

King County Wages are Not Declining Says Research Council Study
According to the Washington Research Council study, recent claims that King County wages are declining are simply not true. For more details, read the study at: http://researchcouncil.blogs.com/weblog/files/king_county_wages.pdf.

Former Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman on Next Washington Business Weekly
Former Seattle mayor, ex-state legislator, and AWB board member, Wes Uhlman will talk about how the legislature has changed over the years on the next Washington Business Weekly, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday, on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM. Additionally, Kriss Sjoblom, of the Washington Research Council will discuss the state’s misguided pension system. You may also listen at www.awb.org. If you have any suggestions for guests or topics, please let us know.  Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

Best Practices for the Human Resources File Cabinet Seminar 
Learn how to avoid fines, penalties, and litigation through adopting "best practices" and maintaining proper employment records. This seminar will be held Feb. 28 at the Red Lion Hotel, SeaTac. For more information, see www.awb.org/events/seminars/hrfilecabinet.asp. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

Great Values With AWB’s Freight Program - SAVE 67 Percent or More On Your Next Freight Bill
With shipping and fuel costs soaring in the recent months, AWB members now have the opportunity to rollover their current discounts with some of the nation's best service freight carriers in the AWB freight program. You may now select from some of the Northwest's best carriers: Oak Harbor, USF Reddaway, Overnite Transportation, Watkins Motor Freight and Central Transportation, and receive a minimum 67 percent discount directly off these carriers' base rates for all LTL shipments. By enrolling in this program you will be able to track your inbound/outbound shipments, view the best possible rates between the carriers, arrange for new shipments plus more - all from your computer! To learn more about the program and how it can benefit your company log on to www.awb.org/services/freightsavings.asp. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.