Spring Board Meeting This Week in Spokane
AWB’s annual Spring Board Meeting will be held at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel, May 23-24.  Stuart Rothenberg, nationally known political observer, will speak at the dinner on May 23. Also at that dinner, former state GOP legislative leader Jeanette Hayner will be honored with the C. David Gordon award for leadership. Pat and Susan Dunn will receive the Bruce Briggs Award for community service. In addition, a group of deserving companies will receive Community Service Awards. On May 24, AWB will have its Spring Board Meeting. Washington Health Authority Executive Director Steve Hill will speak about the governor’s health care initiatives, and the Board will approve a slate of Board nominees for approval by the membership. The November initiatives will also be discussed. The response to tomorrow’s dinner with Stuart Rothenberg has been overwhelming. The event is officially sold out, and we are no longer able to accept additional registrations. Questions? Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

 

Government Affairs Council Recommends Yes on Death Tax Repeal, No on $30 Car Tab and Energy Portfolios Initiatives
At its spring retreat last week, AWB’s Governmental Affairs Council (GAC) recommended that AWB oppose Initiative-917 ($30 car tab) and Initiative-937 (energy portfolios) and support Initiative-920 (repeal of state death tax). GAC also recommended that AWB consider I-933 (property rights) in September.

 

Don’t Be Late Making Your Excise Tax Payment
AWB members have asked questions about the effective date of HB 2671, which moves the monthly excise tax due date back to the 25th instead of the 20th of each month. While the law will be in effect as of June 7, the change in filing dates will be effective for returns due after July 2006. For taxpayers who file on a monthly basis, the initial impact will be for the July 2006 tax return which will now be due on August 25, 2006.  The five percent automatic penalty for late payments has also been significantly revised.  For tax billings issued on or after July 1, 2006, the penalty will only be applied if the tax due is substantially underpaid. AWB actively lobbied for the passage of this bill providing employers with more than $11 million in tax relief for the remainder of 2006 and $24.7 million for the 2007-2009 biennium. For more info, see http://dor.wa.gov/docs/reports/2006/Summary_2006_Tax_Leg/LegisSummary2006.pdf. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at AmberC@awb.org.

 

Tourism & Judicial Scorecard Issue Has Been Mailed
This issue of Washington Business magazine focuses on tourism. It includes the 2006 Judicial Scorecard. Need additional copies? Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

Dept. of Revenue Seeks Suggestions for Possible Agency Request Legislation – Deadline May 31
The Dept. of Revenue is seeking suggestions for possible agency request legislation in the 2007 session. The deadline for submitting comments to DOR is May 31. Existing position papers developed by the AWB Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will be included in our comments. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.  

 

Denny Heck on Next Washington Business Weekly
Denny Heck - former legislator, ex-chief of staff for Gov. Booth Gardner, founder of TVW - will be on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11 am-12 noon; Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 pm; and at www.awb.org.

 

Department of Revenue Seeks Comments on Tax Incentive Rule
The Dept. of Revenue is seeking comments on Rule 155 regarding definitions related to computers and the research and development tax incentives. Formal rulemaking is set for late May or early June. Have comments or want additional information? Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

 

Chevron Conservation Awards Nominations for 52nd Annual Conservation Awards
Nominations for Chevron Conservation Awards due May 31. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

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 Commissioners office and CLE credit from Bar Association, will be held June 6, 7:30 am-1:30 pm, 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. 

 

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 am-5 pm. Registration begins at 6:30 pm. 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.