Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day…It is a Day When We Think About His Dream for America
Today, we recognize the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the dream for America he envisioned.  President Reagan signed legislation creating the holiday in November 1983. It was the first new holiday since 1948, when Memorial Day was created as a "Prayer for Peace" day. And the only other holiday created in the 20th century was Veterans Day, created as Armistice Day in 1926 to honor those who died in World War I.

Maryland “Pay or Play” Bill – Washington “Pay or Play” Bill to Be Heard Jan. 19
Last week Maryland’s legislature voted to override the governor’s veto of a “pay or play” health care bill. This bill was part of the AFL-CIO’s push for similar bills in 30 states.  Washington’s version 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. It will be heard in the Senate’s Labor, Commerce & Research Development Committee on Jan. 19. AWB urges employers of all sizes to come to this hearing and tell of the negative effects such legislation will have on the business community. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Wall Street Journal Says “Hillary Care Returns” - This Precedent Should Grab Your Attention
The override of the Maryland health care mandate should grab your attention.  According to the today’s Wall Street Journal editorial what's really going on here is an attempt to pass the runaway burdens of the welfare state on to private American employers. “As we're learning from Old Europe and General Motors, this is bad news for both business and workers in the long run. The U.S. doesn't need a revival of Hillary Care on the installment plan.”  If you think this is restricted to Wal-Mart and big business, think again.  In Rhode Island, proposed legislation takes aim at businesses with only 1,000 employees. In other states, proposals would mandate payouts of 9 percent or more. Once the principle is established that employers must allocate a certain share of their payroll to health care, it becomes easier to gradually extend the mandate to all businesses. If you would like a copy of the editorial, contact AWB’s Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

Minnesota Delays Implementation of Biodiesel Mandate - Problems with Soy-Based Product
Last week, Minnesota’s Dept. of Commerce granted a 21-day suspension of a requirement for adding a 2 percent blend of soybean fuel to conventional diesel.  Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation mandating the blend despite warnings from University of Minnesota’s Economist C. Ford Runge five years ago that soybean byproducts could cause fueling problems at low temperatures.  Lawmakers in Olympia considering mandating biodiesel need to go slow and make sure what they pass works and is economically feasible. Check it out: www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=Commerce.

Good News for Hybrid Buyers - New Treasury Dept. Guidelines Allow You to Save Up to $3,400
Buried on page B-3 of Saturday’s Wall Street Journal is an announcement by Treasury Secretary John Snow that states guidelines for hybrid cars were issued and you could save as much as $3,400.  The tax guidelines are part of the President’s Energy Policy Act passed last year and the credits are for “lean-burning” cars.  Fuel-cell, alternative fuel and hybrid trucks are also eligible for the credits. Meanwhile, the IRS is issuing guidelines for certification procedures. 

Bills Introduced in House of Representatives to Address Problems from 2005 Tax Legislation
Two bills have been introduced to address two problems created by legislation in the 2005 legislature. HB 2868 will exempt sales tax on extended warranties when the underlying product is also exempt, this fixes a problem created when the legislature changed the law to allow sales tax to be collected on the sale of extended warranties. HB 2869 will restore the research and development tax incentive calculation to the amount and form originally approved by the legislature in order to attract and preserve jobs for Washington citizens.  Both bills are part of AWB’s proactive tax package for 2006, and we strongly support them. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislator to support HB 2868 and HB 2869. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Family Leave Bills Introduced in Legislature…Tell Them to Let Employers and Workers Work It Out
SB 6185 and HB 2392, which would expand the scope of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), were introduced in the House and Senate last week. The bill also modifies the exemption for smaller businesses so that employers with more than 25 employees come under the scope of FMLA. In the meantime, another family leave bill, HB 2777, which requires 40 hours of paid sick leave for every employee of every employer for every six months of employment. This bold proposal violates AWB’s Employment Law legislative objective because it mandates a paid leave benefit – and mandates it even on our smallest employers. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislator to oppose SB 6185, HB 2392 and HB 2777. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org .

Columbia River Task Force Meeting Jan.17 – Water Rights Proposals Will be Reviewed
Columbia River Task Force will meet again on Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m. (location TBA) to review the current Republican and Democrat legislative proposals and see if an agreement has been reached to move forward with a solution to the Columbia River water rights issues. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Legislation Introduced to Fix Five Percent Penalty & Tax Filing Deadline
The 2003 legislative session resulted in changes to our tax structure that created a number of regulatory obstacles particularly for small businesses, including the creation of a new 5 percent penalty and shortening the time frame for paying taxes. HB 2671 has been introduced to rollback the changes made in the 2003 legislative session that required earlier reporting and the five percent assessment penalty. AWB opposed these changes when first enacted and strongly supports HB 2671. This issue is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Finance Committee, Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Land Use Committee to Meet on Jan. 20
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Friday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-12 noon. On the agenda is the Washington Farm Bureau’s request that AWB join the coalition in support of its 2006 Property Rights Initiative, Gov. Gregoire’s legislative package modifying and amending the Growth Management Act, the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act and other pertinent land use legislation. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

AWB’s Legal Affairs Committee Approves Participation in Stormwater Permit Appeal
Last week, AWB filed a Motion to Intervene on behalf of its members in the appeal of the Construction General Stormwater Permit. As issued, the permit exceeds the authority of the Dept. of Ecology and imposes requirements that are unreasonable and unattainable. New monitoring and sampling and other permit requirements are especially onerous to small businesses and increase the probability of third party lawsuits. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Workforce Training Incentive Bill Scheduled for Public Hearing in Senate
The Senate International Trade and Economic Development Committee will hold a hearing on January 19, 10 a.m., on Senate Bill 6293, which authorizes employer tax incentives for the employment of students in math and science programs.  AWB’s Workforce Training Chair, Rosemary Brester of Hobart Machined Products plans to testify and describe the difficulty of Washington employers finding job applicants with the required education and skill level particularly in math and science.  AWB supports this program to help promote workforce training in high demand job skills. Go to www.awb.org, and tell your legislator to support SB 6293. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Next Washington Business Weekly to Focus on Tacoma
The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce will discuss the issues it faces in the 2006 legislative session 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. Please pledge your support for this great event. To register or to become a sponsor, see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp. American Petroleum Institute (API) Chief Economist John Felmy will talk about energy and national energy priorities, 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.

Great Values With AWB’s Freight Program - SAVE 67 Percent or More On Your Next Freight Bill
With shipping and fuel costs soaring in the recent months, AWB members now have the opportunity to rollover their current discounts with some of the nation's best service freight carriers in the AWB freight program. You may now select from some of the Northwest's best carriers: Oak Harbor, USF Reddaway, Overnite Transportation, Watkins Motor Freight and Central Transportation, and receive a minimum 67 percent discount directly off these carriers' base rates for all LTL shipments. By enrolling in this program you will be able to track your inbound/outbound shipments, view the best possible rates between the carriers, arrange for new shipments plus more- all from your computer! To learn more about the program and how it can benefit your company log on to www.awbfreight.com. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

Best Practices for the Human Resources File Cabinet Seminar 
Learn how to avoid fines, penalties, and litigation through adopting "best practices" and maintaining proper employment records. This seminar will be held Feb. 28 at the Red Lion Hotel, SeaTac. For more information, see www.awb.org/events/seminars/hrfilecabinet.asp. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

“Stupid in America… John Stossel Looks at How U.S. Public Schools Are Failing Kids” Causing Stir
Last Friday night’s “20/20” television special on America’s public school is causing quite a stir among parents, students, school officials and elected officials.  One of the sub-themes in the program was “How Lack of Choice Cheats Our Kids Out of a Good Education.” Go to http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=1491217 to view and judge for yourself.

Keep the WASL - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.

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