Brown Indicates “Pay or Play” is Dead for 2006 Session – Will Be Back
At last week’s Lobby Lunch at AWB, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, stated 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. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislator to oppose HB 2517/SB 6356. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

WARNING:  Call Us Before Volunteering Information to the State!
Check with AWB before you provide information to the state, especially about your employees. Here is what happened recently. The Seattle Times reporter Ralph Thomas wrote a damaging story from confidential “leaked information” on businesses who have employees on the Basic Health Plan or Medicaid, both state funded programs. Gov. Gregoire directed her agencies to prepare the data after the last legislative session, after vetoing SHB 1486. The information was suppose to be CONFIDENTIAL and intended for legislative use only, but it was leaked to the Times. The fine for unauthorized disclosure or abuse of this information is a civil penalty of $5,000 and other applicable sanctions under state and federal law per Chapter 50.13 RCW, but that is pocket change compared to the damage that leaked information does to a company. We have been in touch with the Employment Security Dept. and the Governor’s office, which are investigating the matter. Meanwhile, BE AWARE!

AWB Files Brief in Important Consumer Arbitration Case
Last Friday, AWB, joined by the US Chamber of Commerce, Amazon.com, Intel, Microsoft, and RealNetworks, filed a "friend-of-the-court" brief in the Washington Supreme Court in the case of Scott v. Cingular Wireless.  This case is part of a nationwide effort by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice to go after companies that use consumer-friendly arbitration agreements to settle disputes and make these companies subject to class actions lawsuits instead. The Trial Lawyers argue Cingular's arbitration agreements with its consumers should be thrown out because they preclude class action lawsuits. AWB's brief urges the Supreme Court to affirm Washington's long and proud tradition as a leader in encouraging the quick, informal and inexpensive arbitration of disputes outside of the courtroom. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Pushing Congress to Pass Asbestos Reforms—But the Specter-Leahy Bill Not the Answer
In the next couple of weeks, the U.S. Senate will consider SB 852, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act.  Rather than protecting defendant companies, the Specter-Leahy trust fund embodied in S. 852, as currently proposed, would cause many of these companies to shut their doors, impose a new and devastating tax on hundreds of unsuspecting businesses, and set up a huge new bureaucracy in Washington.  There is a better answer, and AWB is encouraging Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to reject the legislation in its current form. 

AWB Secures Equitable Bill to Enforce Wage Payment
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 3185, heard in the House Commerce & Labor Committee, accomplishes that objective. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Streamlined Sales Tax Passes in Senate – Big Victory for Business!
SB 6594, which would bring Washington’s sales tax rules in line with the federal agreement, has been passed by the Senate. AWB has worked hard to pass this bill, which is very good for business. Now the legislation will go to the House of Representatives. Go to www.awb.org, and urge your representatives to support SB 6594.  Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Green Power Initiative Filed—AWB Has Concerns About Mandating Power Sources
A coalition comprised of the Sierra Club, WashPIRG, the Climate Coalition, NW Energy Coalition, and others filed an initiative which would force utilities with more than 25,000 customers to have 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar (Hydropower is not considered renewable), by 2020 or face steep fines.  AWB is reviewing the initiative and the ballot title. 

Protect Your Civil Liberties – Help AWB Fight Bill to Muzzle Employers’ Free Speech Rights!
The unions and their legislative allies are pushing HB 3068, a repressive measure that would directly assault the First Amendment rights of employers to express political opinions to their employees. The bill would also prevent employees from expressing opinions regarding labor organizing. Interestingly, this un-Constitutional restriction on free speech would not apply to union representatives in workplaces. Help protect your free speech rights by going to www.awb.org and urging your representative to oppose HB 3068. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Works to Make Workers’ Comp System Faster, More Efficient
Employer reporting bills are moving in both the House and Senate. HB 2537/SB 6262 are AWB-backed bills that would establish a pilot project where injured employees report their claim to their employer who reports to L&I, as opposed to the current system where injuries are reported through the physician. AWB believes this system will improve the fast and efficient handling of claims and reduce the time it takes to get benefits to workers, and it is overcoming initial opposition from Big Labor. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Fights Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Bill
By Monday afternoon, the House Commerce & Labor Committee will have heard HB 2777, which mandates two weeks of paid sick leave for all employees in Washington state.  AWB and its members are leading the charge against this anti-competitive mandate, which would impose the most extreme mandatory benefits law in the nation on Washington job providers. AWB urged the committee to reject the bill. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your representatives you oppose HB 2777. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Union-Backed Outsourcing Bill Heard in House – AWB Opposes
Labor-backed HB 3160 was heard this in the House Commerce & Labor Committee. Introduced as a "title-only" bill on the subject of outsourcing work on state contracts, the legislation is intended to force disclosure about the size, nature, and location of work performed on state contracts outside the United States. AWB opposes efforts to harass or burden private companies doing business with the state through onerous disclosure requirements and supports continued efforts to expand and streamline the contracting out of government work to the private sector. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Manufacturing Workers’ Comp Retro Program Returned $18 Million to Members
Since AWB started its manufacturing workers’ compensation retrospective rating program in 1996, our participating members received $18 million in refunds. That is a 21 percent return, AWB Senior Vice President Debra Brown added.  AWB’s retro programs return the entire refund to participating members.  For information, contact Debra at DebraB@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.  AWB has several retro programs.

Legislative Update from House Minority Leader DeBolt on Next Washington Business Weekly
House Majority Leader Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, will give an overview of the legislative session this year, and the Yakima Chamber of Commerce will discuss its legislative concerns on the next Washington Business Weekly, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday, on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM. 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.

Washington Chamber of Commerce Executives/AWB Chamber Day at the Capitol
You are invited to attend Chamber Day at the Capitol, Feb. 1, 9 a.m. on the third floor of the Capitol in Olympia. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

AWB’s Legislative Reception and Board Meeting Coming Feb. 8 – Register Now! 
AWB's Legislative Reception is coming to Olympia on Feb. 8. To register, see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp. American Petroleum Institute’s (API) 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.

Not Too Late to Become Sponsor for AWB’s Legislative Reception
Our annual AWB Legislative Reception & Briefing, set for Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia, is approaching quickly. It’s not too late for your company to become a sponsor of this important event – reserve your sponsorship by Wed. and you will be included in event signage and marketing materials. Visit  www.awb.org/events/legreceptionreg.asp for more information.

Green Power Initiative Targets Dams and Coal-fired Plants - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.

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