AWB Board Votes to Fight for Affordable Health Care in Court
On Wednesday, AWB’s Board overwhelmingly voted to authorize litigation to overturn the insurance commissioner’s “Technical Assistance Advisory” (TAA).  The action was filed in Spokane. The TAA threatens affordable health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of Washington citizens by improperly establishing new legal requirements governing premium rates of health plans offered to small employers by associations. The TAA alters existing law in place since 1995, which only the state Legislature has the power to do. As the litigation moves along, we’ll keep you posted.

Governor Signs Climate Change Executive Order
Last week Gov. Gregoire signed an executive order that commits the state to pursuing greenhouse gas reduction goals. AWB’s Grant Nelson commented: “We're certainly encouraged by Governor Gregoire's approach to take a thoughtful, measured approach. She set some ambitious goals around which, with involvement by all stakeholders, can be accomplished over the next year.” AWB, however, does not approve of the inflexible, prescriptive approach of SB 6001, a greenhouse gas reduction bill unveiled last week that would be very burdensome to business and the economy. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Ninth Circuit Court Allows Computer Search and Seizure by Employers
In a unanimous decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court affirmed that employers have search and seizure rights to an employee’s private office and workplace computer located on the company premise.  The case, United States v. Ziegler, involved an employee downloading child pornography on the company-owned computer. Contact Kris Tefft at (260) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Members Weigh in Against Family Leave Bill
HB 1658, which would allow five weeks of paid family leave – a costly program that would be financed by even small employers – was heard in the House Commerce & Labor Committee last week. Thanks to AWB members who testified against the bill, especially Stephanie Pickett, of Preston Gates Ellis, and Mari Schwab, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, who did a superb job of explaining why the bill would be unworkable and an enormous burden on businesses, many of which already have family leave programs. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Pay or Play is Back – SB 5977 and HB 2094 to be Heard Tomorrow in Senate and House Committees
SB 5977 and HB 2094, which would require companies with 1,000 or more employees to reimburse the state for each employee enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program or Basic Health Plan, will be heard tomorrow in the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research and Development Committee and the House Commerce and Labor Committee. AWB opposes health care mandates, like this one, but strongly supports more flexible approaches that allow businesses to find non-burdensome means of providing insurance for their employees. Interested members are encouraged to attend the hearings tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Focus on Funding at Next Transportation Committee Meeting – Feb. 15
Dick Ford of the Transportation Commission will be at our next meeting, Feb. 14, 10-11:30 a.m., to discuss new revenue sources for transportation – including tolls – and the container tax proposal. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.