AWB files brief in unemployment insurance case
The Association of Washington Business recently responded to an important unemployment insurance case by filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the Washington Supreme Court. The case, Batey v. Employment Security Department, challenged the constitutionality and provisions of 2003 legislation addressing employees’ eligibility for unemployment insurance when they voluntarily quit their jobs. Surprisingly, the state Court of Appeals struck down these provisions, holding that the original legislation was unconstitutional because the title of the legislation did not reflect its subject matter. AWB’s brief asks the court to accept the Washington State Employment Security Department’s appeal and review the case. For more information, contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@AWB.org.
Dicks to lead Puget Sound Partnership
Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed David Dicks of Seattle to be the first executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. Dicks is a partner with Cascadia Law Group, a firm specializing in environmental law, where he focuses on endangered species, water quality and natural resource law and policy. He is also the son of U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Bremerton, an advocate for the Puget Sound and Hood Canal. In a recent interview with The Olympian, David Dicks said that he is looking forward to working with his father on these issues. According to their Web site, Puget Sound Partnership “is a state agency established in 2007 to lead efforts to protect and restore Puget Sound and its spectacular diversity of life, now and for future generations. The Partnership replaces the Puget Sound Action Team and, as of Jan. 1, 2008, will assume the functions now performed by the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound.” For more information, please contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.
Governor makes appointments to Health Insurance Partnership Board
Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed Susan Sharpe, Carolyn Watts, Theodore Blotsky, Donald Brennan, Jeffrey Gingold and Norman Inaba, to the newly formed Health Insurance Partnership Board on Aug. 16. According to the governor’s Web site, “the board will work with the Washington Health Care Authority to implement the state's new Health Insurance Partnership, which will work to increase access to affordable health insurance. The board of directors will develop and approve policies to enroll subscribers, design health plans in the pool and set premium and contribution levels.” For more information, see
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=629&newsType=1.
New immigration rules proposed
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published amended regulations on Aug. 15 which would impose substantial new obligations upon employers to verify that their employees are legally entitled to work in the United States. Failure to follow the new procedures could result in substantial civil and criminal penalties for employers. The amended regulations are open for public comment and become effective on Sept. 14. They can be downloaded in PDF format at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-16066.pdf. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org or (360)943-1600.
Workforce training survey
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is preparing to mail out its biennial Employer Survey of Workforce Training Needs. The survey addresses workforce training programs and employee training needs. The results of past surveys have lead to the creation of regional skills panels, continued funding of job skills training funds through the community and technical college system, opportunity grants and other innovative workforce development programs. If you receive a survey, please take the time to fill it out and send it back. Your feedback is important, and the workforce you help develop may be your own. If you have any questions about the survey or AWB’s connection to the project, please contact Mike Hudson at MikeH@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.
Don’t miss Olympia Business Watch
Olympia Business Watch is AWB’s blog reviewing the news and events shaping business and politics. Some of the recent posts by AWB’s Communications and Government Affairs staff are: R-67 in the News, Legal News Roundup, Labor News Roundup, AWB-TV: Referendum 67, Some Perspective on I-937, Tolls for 520 Bridge, VA Hospitals: A Bitter Taste of Government Run Health Care. To see these and other posts, check out Olympia Business Watch at http://awbblog.typepad.com/olympia_business_watch/.
Be sure you check out AWB-TV!
Yes, AWB is now broadcasting original videos on YouTube! These videos give background on AWB and provide insight on legislation and issues that matter to Washington’s businesses. In our most recent video, Richard Davis, AWB’s vice president for communications, sits down with Kris Tefft, government affairs director and general counsel for AWB, to discuss Referendum 67. Tefft discusses the background on I-67 and why AWB urges a NO vote. Watch it at http://www.youtube.com/user/AWBorg.
AWB regional board meetings
Let AWB know what we can do for you. Regional board meetings are your chance to participate in the formation of AWB’s 2008 legislative agenda. Be sure to mark your region’s meeting on your calendar: Sept. 5 (Everett and Tacoma), Sept. 6 (Bellevue), Sept. 7 (Vancouver), Sept. 11 (Spokane and Moses Lake), and Sept. 12 (Kennewick). For more information, please contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.
Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee to meet
The L&I Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee will meet Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at L&I headquarters in Tumwater. The important August meeting features a preview of 2008 premium rate setting. There have been hints that rates will go up due to recent wage inflation. The meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@AWB.org.
Health Care Committee meeting cancelled
The Health Care Committee meeting set for Aug. 22 is cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Land Use Committee meeting
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Aug. 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at AWB. Agenda items will include a discussion about AWB’s 2008 land use legislative package and an update on the Puget Sound Partnership. We will also review AWB’s Land Use/GMA Policy legislative objectives for the 2008 legislative session. If you’d like to participate by telephone, please contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org. For any other information, please contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.
Environmental Affairs Council meeting
AWB’s Environmental Affairs Council will meet Aug. 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AWB. Agenda items include a presentation by Ron Shultz, interim executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. We will also review AWB’s Land Use/GMA Policy, as well as Water Resource and Climate Change legislative objectives for the 2008 legislative session. For more information, please contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org or Chris McCabe at ChrisM@awb.org. Both can be reached at (360) 943-1600.
Climate Change Subcommittee
The Climate Change Subcommittee will meet Aug. 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at AWB. The committee will hear from Janice Adair of the Washington State Department of Ecology, Matt Steuerwalt from the governor’s office, and Tony Usibelli from the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. The speakers will update us on the status and next steps of the Regional Climate Action Initiative, the Climate Advisory Team, technical working groups and related efforts. We will also review and consider changes to the AWB’s 2008 legislative objectives on climate change. More information on climate change is available on the Climate Advisory Team’s Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org. To join the meeting via conference call, please contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.
Joint Legislative Task Force on Family Leave Insurance
The Joint Legislative Task Force on Family Leave Insurance will meet Aug. 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the John A. Cherberg Building, Hearing Rooms A, B and C on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The agenda includes introductions and opening remarks, proposed procedures and future meeting schedule, discussion of administration of family leave insurance benefits, and public comment. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.
OSHA 10-hour certification course
Bring yourself up to date on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held Aug. 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bellevue. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Register and find information enrollment fees at www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
Policy Summit coming Sept. 19-21 – Don’t Miss Out – Register Now!
AWB’s annual Policy Summit will be held at Semiahmoo Resort, Sept. 19-21. Panels throughout the day will focus on where the economy is headed and what is likely to occur in 2008. Gov. Chris Gregoire will be the luncheon keynote speaker on Sept. 20. For a full agenda and to register go to http://www.policysummit.com. To become a sponsor, please contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards – Nomination forms now available!
AWB, the Northwest Environmental Business Council, and the Washington State Department of Ecology will bring our state’s most comprehensive environmental conference to Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center on Oct. 17 and 18. Nominations are under consideration for company projects that benefit the environment. Download the awards nomination form and register for the conference at www.envsummit.com. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
Advertise in Washington Business magazine
Washington Business magazine, published by AWB, is one of the best ways to communicate to the business and political leaders in Washington. Support AWB and make your message heard by advertising in Washington Business magazine. Contact Chad Taylor at (360) 736-8065 or Chad@silveragency.com.
Be sure you remember to vote in the state primary tomorrow, August 21, 2007!
Wisconsin tiff over universal health care might warm up in 2008 - See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org
