Happy Fourth of July!
Fast Facts is coming out early this Fourth of July weekend.  We won’t have a Fast Facts on Monday, July 3, but we will be back on Monday, July 10. In the meantime, AWB wishes you an enjoyable and safe Independence Day weekend!

 

L&I Considers 2007 Legislative Package on Workers’ Compensation
On Tuesday of this week, L&I met with leaders from business and labor to begin sharing details on proposed 2007 workers’ compensation legislation.  This month, L&I focused on bills to address the adequacy of certain benefits and the vocational rehabilitation/return to work programs. Next month, L&I will look at pension trends and claims administration improvements. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Legal Affairs Committee Interviews Supreme Court Candidates
On Monday, AWB’s Legal Affairs Committee interviewed all five candidates seeking election or re-election to the Washington Supreme Court. The purpose of the interviews was to make endorsement recommendations to AWB’s Board of Directors. This committee’s recommendations are being prepared for distribution to the Board. Endorsements will be announced after the Board takes action. Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, Justice Susan Owens, and Justice Tom Chambers are each seeking re-election, while attorney John Groen challenges Alexander, and Steve Johnson takes on Owens. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

 

Dept. of Revenue Changes Tax Due Dates, Lessens Penalties
Beginning July 1, a 5 percent underpayment penalty will be assessed only if taxpayers pay less than 80 percent of the total amount due for the period under review, and the underpayment was at least $1,000. Interest on the underpaid taxes will continue to be due. Beginning on Aug. 1, the due date for monthly excise tax returns to the 25th of each month from the 20th, and moves the deadline for paying taxes by debit electronic funds transfer from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the due date. For more information, call (800) 647-7706 or visit http://dor.wa.gov/content/home/TaxTopics/Penalties.aspx.

 

Environmental Affairs Council – Meeting July 17
The Environmental Affairs Council will meet July 17 to approve AWB’s Environmental Legislative Objectives and discuss on-going work of the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP). The EAC will discuss potential upcoming legislation for the 2007, including bills related to pollution in Puget Sound and efforts underway to work with Ecology and the environmental community on policies beneficial to Washington’s economy and environment. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

2006 Northwest Environmental Summit– A Great Event Not to Be Missed!
AWB, the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) and the Washington Dept. of Ecology will bring our state’s most comprehensive environmental conference to the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on Oct. 18-19 at. Register at www.envsummit.com. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Responder Training Course – July 17-18 & July 19-20
An exciting and timely new course –Terrorism Awareness: Protecting Soft Targets (Train-the-Trainer) will be held on July 17-18, 2006 and again on July 19-20 – in Tacoma. There is no fee, the course is OGT approved and overtime/backfill reimbursement may be available through your HLS Regional Office. The purpose of this course is to provide training to security trainers within soft target venues. Contact Adrian Damon at (253) 512-7046 or A.Damon@emd.wa.gov. 
 

2006 Economic and Workforce Development Awards – Now Accepting Nominations
Nominations for the state’s Economic and Workforce Development Awards are being accepted until 4 p.m., July 17. Awards will be presented Sept. 7 at the Governor’s 2006 Economic and Workforce Development Conference in Vancouver, Wash. For more information, visit www.awb.org/Econ_Workforce_Dev_Awards2006.pdf. Send nominations to MauryF@cted.wa.gov.

 

Candidate Interviews Coming in August and September – Members are Welcome to Participate 
In August and September, AWB will conduct candidate interviews around the state. Members are encouraged to participate. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org, or Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.
 

Focus on Education on Next Washington Business Weekly
AWB’s Mike Hudson will discuss the state of education in Washington 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. In addition, we’ll talk with Feliks Banel of Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry. If you have any comments on our programs or suggestions for future topics or guests, please post your feedback at http://awborg.libsyn.com.

We appreciate your input!

 

AWB Policy Summit Sponsors Needed - Call Now!
AWB’s Policy Summit will happen Sept. 20–22 at Semiahmoo. As a sponsor, your company receives acknowledgement before, during and following the event in marketing materials, signage and in Washington Business. Display opportunities are also available. As a sponsor, you may attend a reception with the Weekly Standard’s William Kristol. Secure your sponsorship by July 8 to receive recognition in the Summit’s promotional brochure. Contact AWB's Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.