Court Invalidates Property Tax Initiative 747 – Attorney General McKenna Vows to Appeal Ruling
King County Superior Court Judge Mary E. Roberts has ruled that Initiative 747 is unconstitutional. Passed by Washington’s voters in 2001, I-747 has limited annual increases in the amount of regular property taxes levied by a city, county, port or other taxing district. Generally, the limit on annual increases has been one percent. Washington’s Attorney General Rob McKenna will appeal this ruling.

 

New AWB Immigration Policy Task Force Meets
A new task force of AWB's Governmental Affairs Council met this afternoon to explore AWB's position on immigration reform issues currently pending at the national level. As different U.S. Senate and House proposals sit before a conference committee with an uncertain political future, AWB is hearing from its members on what its position should be on an issue critically affecting agriculture, high-tech, and a variety of Washington industries. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

UI Committee Meeting on June 27
AWB’s Unemployment Insurance Committee will be meeting at AWB, June 27, 10 a.m. A representative of the Employment Security Dept. will update us on what’s happening this summer at that agency. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

 

L&I Updates its Rules Web site – Check it for the Latest Regulations That Affect YOUR Business
The Department of Labor & Industries has recently updated their rule Web site and filed proposals to explore rulemaking for the Family Leave Act and the Wage Payment Requirements, based on two bills that passed in 2006, SB 6185 and HB 3185. They have also filed orders adopting new rules for Abrasive Blasting, Classification Plan Update and Hospital Plan Policy. For more information, please visit L&I’s Web site at www.lni.wa.gov/LawRule/WhatsNew/Proposed/. 

 

Education Committee Meeting on June 29
The AWB Education Committee will meet at the Bellevue office of Madison Cooke, June 29, 10 a.m. Contact Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.
 

State Revenue Forecast Slightly Stronger
The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council met in Olympia on June 15, where Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, director of the council, reported a new state forecast of $26,967.0 million.  This is $523.9 million more than expected in February. The new forecast leaves $1.485 billion in general fund and other reserves. AWB believes the new forecast must be viewed with significant caution. A lot can change between now and January 2007 when lawmakers come back to town.

 

Electronic Waste Rulemaking Has Begun – Public Comment Will Begin on July 19
The Dept. of Ecology’s rulemaking to implement electronic waste legislation (SB 6428) has begun. Public comment on the proposed rule is scheduled to begin July 19 with adoption of the final rules in September. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Owens, Uhlman and McGavick on Next Washington Business Weekly
Hear highlights from past programs, including interviews with Lieutenant Governor Brad Owens, former Seattle mayor and AWB Board member Wes Uhlman, and U.S. Senate candidate Mike McGavick on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11 a.m.-12 noon; Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 p.m.; and at www.awb.org. We welcome your suggestions for possible guests and topics. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

AWB’s Brunell Makes Presentations Around State – Your Group Could be Next
AWB President Don Brunell recently made presentations to chambers in Longview-Kelso and Oak Harbor and the Elma Rotary Club.  Interested in an AWB presentation on the elections and the Legislature?  Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

Reduce Your Risk of Costly Fines and Penalties of Non-Compliance!
Learn all you need to know about OSHA at the OSHA 10-hour certification course, June 22, Downtown Red Lion Hotel, Seattle, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration begins at 6:30a.m. Standard fee is $149, but AWB CompWise members get a discounted fee of $119. Register online at www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Policy Summit is Coming on Sept. 20-22 – Don’t Miss Out – Register Now!
AWB’s Policy Summit will be held at Semiahmoo, Sept. 20-22. Among its many events will be the Executive Committee meeting, forums on major issues facing Washington’s business community, and William Kristol, editor of the influential Washington, D.C. based political magazine, The Weekly Standard. Register at www.policysummit.com. To register for the golf tournament or to become a sponsor, please contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Famed Mountain Climber Jim Whitaker to be Keynote Speaker at Northwest Environmental Summit
AWB’s annual Northwest Environmental Summit and Trade Show is scheduled for Oct. 18-19 at the Tacoma Convention Center. Famed mountaineer Jim Whitaker will be the keynote speaker. To register and learn more, visit www.envsummit.com. Interested in sponsoring or becoming a trade show exhibitor? Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.