Senate Approves Immigration Bill – Includes Guest Worker Program, Mandatory Employee Verification
The U.S. Senate has approved legislation that beefs up border security, establishes a guest worker program, and provides a means for illegal immigrants to stay in the country and potentially become citizens by a vote of 62-36. In addition, the bill would establish an electronic employee verification system, which all employers would be required to check before hiring in order to determine if prospective employees are authorized to work in the U.S. The bill now goes into a conference committee where the Senate negotiators will attempt to reconcile their bill with a very different measure passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in December.

The House bill focuses solely on border security and does not include a guest worker program.
 

AWB Board Supports Death Tax Repeal, Opposes $30 Car Tab and Energy Portfolios Initiative
At AWB’s annual Spring Board Meeting, in Spokane, the Board affirmed the Government Affairs Council’s recommendations to oppose Initiative-917 ($30 Car tab) and Initiative-937 (Energy portfolios) and support Initiative-920 (Repeal of state death tax). I-933 (Property rights) will be considered in September.

 

Rothenberg Presentation on TVW This Week…For Complete Schedule Go to www.tvw.org.
You can see nationally known political observer Stuart Rothenberg’s presentation at the AWB annual Spring Board Meeting last week in Spokane.  It is on TVW tomorrow and Wednesday.  The May 31 airing is 7 p.m., while the June 1 schedule is 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. This is one you won’t want to miss. You can also listen to it by logging on to www.tvw.org.

 

William Kristol, Michelle Malkin and Phil Noble at Policy Summit Sept. 20-22 – Register Early
AWB’s Policy Summit will be held at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, Sept. 20-22. This year’s theme is “Today’s Politics, Tomorrow’s Economy.” The economy is churning with many new elements, and 2006 is an election year where new directions will be set. The agenda focuses on where the economy is headed and what is likely to occur in the elections this fall. In addition to informative and interactive discussions, highlights include a keynote address by William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, and a session on the influence of blogging on politics with special guests, syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin and Phil Noble, founder of PoliticsOnline. Governor Gregoire will also be joining us on Wednesday evening and for lunch on Thursday. To register or sponsor, visit www.policysummit.com. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

 

Policy Summit Sponsorship Bonus—Private Reception With William Kristol
Sponsors of this year’s Policy Summit will have an added bonus. There will be a private reception and book signing with keynote speaker William Kristol.  The Policy Summit is Sept. 20-22 at the Semiahmoo Resort. To sponsor, contact Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

 

U.S. House Approves ANWR Drilling – Urge Cantwell & Murray to Support
For the 11th time since 1995, the U.S. House of Representatives has approved oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Representatives Dave Reichert, R-Auburn; Doc Hastings, R-Pasco; and Cathy McMorris, R-Spokane, supported this legislation while Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver; Norm Dicks, D-Port Orchard; Adam Smith, D-Tacoma; Jim McDermott, D-Seattle; Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island; and Rick Larson, D-Arlington, opposed it. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate where the measure’s prospects for passage appear to be very unlikely. Nevertheless, you should go to www.awb.org, and urge Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to support this important legislation. Murray and Cantwell have both consistently opposed ANWR drilling even though it would put the United States on the road to oil independence and would provide many economic benefits to Washington state.

 

Seattle Announces Transportation Tax Package – Includes Commercial Parking Tax
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has announced a new transportation funding package, including a new 10 percent commercial parking tax, a new per-employee tax on businesses, and a 20-year property tax levy to repair city streets and bridges, upgrade transit and freight corridors and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The package, if approved by the Seattle City Council, is expected to raise $65 million in its first year and $1.8 billion over 20 years. 

 

Employers Workers’ Comp Coalition Meeting – June 2
Our next Employers Workers’ Comp Coalition Meeting is taking place June 2, 9 a.m.-12 noon at Puget Sound Energy, 3130 S 38th St, Tacoma. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

 

Land Use Committee Meeting on June 8 – Real Estate Licensing on Agenda
The AWB Land Use Committee will meet, June 8, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in AWB’s Large Conference Room. The meeting will include a discussion of the Washington State Real Estate Commission Task Force’s legislative proposal to update Washington’s real estate licensing law (RCW 18.85) (www.cb.wsu.edu/~wcrer/1885taskforce), as well as a report on the status of the Puget Sound Partnership (www.pugetsoundpartnership.org). Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

Office of Regulatory Assistance’s Faith Lumsden at AWB Regulatory Reform Committee Meeting – June 12
AWB’s Regulatory Reform Committee will meet June 12, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at AWB’s Large Conference Room. Faith Lumsden, director of the governor’s Office of Regulatory Assistance, will discuss the status of several programs including Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP) goals; the Business Portal Initiative (BPI); and a new approach to environmental permitting being considered by the governor. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or at ChrisM@awb.org.

 

Energy Site Evaluation to be Discussed at Energy Committee Meeting – June 13
AWB’s Energy Committee is meeting June 13, 9 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in AWB’s Large Conference Room. Jim Luce, chair of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), will talk to the committee about the implementation of the “Earl Report”. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or at ChrisM@awb.org.

 

OSHA 10-Hour Certification Course – Mark Your Calendars for June 22
All you need to know about OSHA is on the agenda at the OSHA 10-hour certification course, June 22, Red Lion Hotel, Seattle, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration begins at 6:30 p.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 Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

 Famed mountain climber, Jim Whitaker, will keynote AWB’s Annual Environmental Summit and Trade Show scheduled for Oct. 18-19 at the Tacoma Convention Center. At the event, we will also present our annual Environmental Excellence Awards. To register and learn more, visit www.envsummit.com. To sponsor, contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

 

Check Out CompWise and HealthChoice for Good Service and Great Rates
Many AWB members are saving everyday on our CompWise workers’ comp retro program and on our small business health insurance plan, HealthChoice. Contact Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

 

Steve Hill Presentation Available at AWB’s Web site:  www.awb.org.
At last week’s Board meeting, State Health Care Authority Director Steve Hill outlined the problem with health care in our state along with a strategy to deal with it.  Many asked for copies of the presentation.  It is now available on our Web site: www.awb.org.  Download it, it is worth reading it.

 

Washington Policy Center Health Care Conference – White House Health Care Adviser to Speak
Co-sponsored by AWB, the Health Care Conference will feature Roy Ramthun, White House health care adviser. The conference, which has also received both CE credit from Insurance Commissioner’s office and CLE credit from Bar Association, will be held June 6, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, SeaTac. For more info, visit www.washingtonpolicy.org or call (206) 937-9691.

 

Take Your Business Global – Improve Your Importing and Exporting Skills
Learn everything you need to know for your business to take advantage of this great international market at the Taking Your Business Global seminar, June 15-17, Pier 69, Seattle. Fee: $395 (Includes lunches and materials). To register, visit www.learningconnections.org/takingyourbusinessglobal. Contact Jan Palmer at (206) 870-5912 or JPalmer@highline.edu. 

 

AWB’s Brunell on Next Washington Business Weekly
AWB President Don Brunell will discuss ethics in state government and Mike Bernard will discuss his role as an AWB Board member on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11 a.m.-12 noon; Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230,
5 p.m.-6 p.m.; and at www.awb.org. Let us know if you have any ideas for guests or show topics. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

AWB Magazine Advertising…Contact Carl Kingsman
You still have an opportunity to advertise in the next issue of Washington Business magazine. It will be one of the most widely read issues because it is our legislative wrap-up and voting record.  People save this one…so you get lots for your advertising dollar.  Contact Carl Kingsman at (206) 274-5772 or CarlK@awb.net. 

 

Yes…You Can Obtain Extra Copies Washington Business Magazine
Many readers requested extra copies of the energy and tourism issues of Washington Business magazine. They want to pass them on to others.  If you would like extras, contact Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

Summer Outreach Underway - Contact Bonnie Millikan to Schedule an AWB Speaker
Our summer Outreach Program is underway.  If you would like an AWB speaker to talk to your chamber or service club, please contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

From the Washington Research Council Web site: More Cause for Pension Alarms
According to USA Today, federal, state and local government unfunded obligations have reached $57.8 trillion, meaning "Taxpayers owe more than a half-million dollars per household for financial promises made by government." An estimated $13,257 of this per-household debt comes from under-funded state and local retirement plans. While continuing to provide generous benefits, public employers have failed to properly fund these obligations. Pensions are a major issue lawmakers will deal with in Olympia in 2007. Learn more at the Washington Research Council’s Web site at www.researchcouncil.org.