AWB Receives U.S. Chamber’s Highest Accreditation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced AWB is awarded its accreditation with distinction.  It is the highest accreditation a state chamber of commerce can receive.  AWB and the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce are the only two state chambers in the nation recognized as “distinguished state chambers.”  Tom Donohue, U.S. Chamber president, will present the recognition plaque at AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 22. 

Help AWB Stop Paid Family Leave Bill in Senate
AWB helped kill the House family leave bill (HB 1658), but the Senate bill (SB 5659) remains alive in Rules – one step from going to the Senate floor for a vote. The bill would allow five weeks of paid family leave – a costly program that would be financed by even small employers – is moving through the legislative process despite our strong opposition. AWB wants to keep this bill in Rules and let it die for this session. Urge your senator to oppose this burdensome measure. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org. 

Look Out, Retailers! – Senate Majority Leader Brown Sponsors So-Called “Fair Share” Health Bill
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has sponsored a so-called “fair share” health bill (SB 6147) that targets retailers. Here’s how it works: The bill would slap a B&O surcharge on retailers with 500 or more employees. If the retailer spends 9 percent of their payroll on health care, the B&O surcharge is removed. Obviously, this is the latest version of “pay or play.” Currently, this measure is in Senate Ways & Means. Let’s stop this bill before it gets any further in the legislative process! Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Puget Sound Partnership Bills Passed by Senate and House
HB 1374 and SB 5372, which would create the Puget Sound Partnership as an independent state agency, have been voted out their respective houses. If passed by both houses this session, either bill would create a partnership to be lead by a council and executive director appointed by the governor. The commission would be responsible for setting goals for cleaning up Puget Sound by 2020. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org  or Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Senate Passes Governor’s Health Care Bill and Includes Real Reform
On Friday, the Senate unanimously passed E2SSB 5930. As passed by the Senate, the bill includes using state purchasing to improve health care quality, prevent and manage chronic illness, provide cost and quality information to consumers and providers, reduce unnecessary emergency room use, reduce health care administrative costs, provide coverage for dependents to age twenty-five, evaluate and design a potential health insurance connector and reinsurance, make needed improvements to the state high risk pool for the sickest population, strengthen the public health system, encourage prevention and health promotion, and provides the small group reforms for which AWB has been lobbying. These reforms passed the Senate last year but were removed by the House. Tell your representatives to support this important bill. Contact Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Destructive Workers’ Comp Bill Awaits Vote – Tell Your Representatives to Say No
HB 1503 would raise workers’ comp costs by making it harder to get independent examinations. It is now in Rules – one step from a House vote. Help AWB stop this destructive measure by telling your representatives that you oppose this bill. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.