AWB Urges House to Restore Small Group Reforms to Health Care Bill
E2SSB 5930, which implements the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Cost and Access, included vital reforms to the small group market that would have allowed lower cost, more flexible health plans for small businesses when it unanimously passed the Senate. Unfortunately, the House Health Care & Wellness Committee stripped those reforms from the bill when they moved it out of committee. The bill is now in Rules – one step from a floor vote in the House. Contact your representatives and tell them not to accept the committee amendment. Don’t let these reforms and the opportunity for lower costs slip away again. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

R&D Tax Relief, Rainy Day Fund in Governor’s and Senate Budget, But Not in House’s Version
Both the governor’s and Senate’s budgets include the bill to restore B&O tax credit for high technology research and development. This item is, however, not in the House. Also missing from the House budget, but present in the governor’s and Senate budgets is a rainy day fund.  AWB strongly supports a rainy day fund and R&D tax relief. We want to see both of the items included in whatever emerges as the final budget. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

AWB Continues Work on Puget Sound Partnership Governance Legislation
ESSB 5372 creates a new state agency to oversee the clean up and restoration of the Puget Sound by 2020. AWB has been actively involved with the Puget Sound Partnership process over the past year and continues to weigh in on this important legislation on issues including regulatory authority, science, accountability, and funding mechanisms. Although AWB strongly supports Puget Sound clean up and restoration efforts, we have worked hard to ensure this new agency is collaborative and not regulatory in nature. Specifically, AWB has sought to avoid similar governmental efforts of the past that have failed to achieve similar Puget Sound clean up goals. ESSB 5372 is in the final tune up mode and will be passed by the House by this Friday. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org. 

Streamlined Sales Tax Does Not Go Into Effect until 2008 – AWB Will Have Info for Our Members
The recently enacted streamlined sales tax law doesn't go into effect until 2008, so AWB will have plenty of time to work with our members on implementation. DOR will also have an aggressive outreach effort that we will double up on. As soon as session is over we will announce more specifics. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

AWB Opposes Paid Family Leave Bill and Paid Family Leave Referendum
SB 5659, which would mandate paid family leave, is now in House Rules – one step from going to the floor for a full vote. This bill would allow five weeks of paid family leave – a costly program that would be financed by even small employers. AWB wants to prevent this bill from becoming law. We also oppose Gov. Gregoire’s suggestion that there be a referendum on paid family leave if the bill is not approved by the Legislature. Help AWB stop SB 5659 by telling your state representatives that you oppose this burdensome measure. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Wants House Budget Version of Container Tax Study, Not Senate Version
Both the House and Senate versions of the budget include studies on the transportation container tax. While AWB opposed this tax when it was proposed earlier in the session, we are comfortable the language on the study in the House bill to that of the Senate. We hope that the language in the final budget will be closer to the House’s language. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Senate Should Say No to Higher Energy Bills
AWB is working to stop SHB 1032 which allows an electric or natural gas utility company to collect a “system benefits charge” of up to $1.90 a month, per meter, per retail customer served the utility. Akin to a new tax, this “charge” would promote distributive generation. Although AWB strongly supports new and alternative energy technologies, a new tax to promote this technology is not the right way to go. Under this approach, there is no clear connection between rate increases and benefits to customers. This legislation represents one of many bills we’ve seen this year and in recent years that would further raise power bills and continue to erode our state’s competitive advantage gained from affordable power. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Bill Would Drive Up Construction Costs
SSB 6011 would create a Maury Island Aquatic Reserve and prohibit Glacier Northwest’s proposed barge transportation dock on the island. AWB opposes this measure for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the bill would increase construction costs for the region’s public works. This increase would force the Maury Island mine dock out of business. With the dock, the region would benefit from the equivalent of 200 to 400 truck haul trips with one to two barges a day. Without the dock, sand and gravel would have to be transported by truck from much farther distances over already congested highways. The bill is now on the House floor, awaiting a vote. Please help AWB by urging your representatives to oppose this counterproductive measure. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

McIntire and Condotta on Tax Reform at Next Lobby Lunch
Reps. Jim McIntire, D-Seattle, and Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee, will discuss tax reform at the next Lobby Lunch, April 12, 12 noon-1 p.m. Contact AWB's Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

You Can be Part of AWB’s Workforce Database
At the request of the workforce development community, AWB is developing a database of Washington businesspeople willing to serve on one or more of the many workforce related boards, committees and groups. When vacancies become available, they will contact us for referrals from the database.  Once you or one of your company’s employees are listed in the database, AWB’s affiliate the Institute for Workforce Development and Economic Sustainability will begin providing you with orientation and training material, as well as regular workforce development literature and statistics. That way when the opportunity comes to serve on a board, you will be “up to speed” and be able to make a meaningful contribution immediately. IMPORTANT:  Information provided for the AWB Workforce Washington Database will be kept strictly confidential by AWB and its affiliate. To be listed in the database, simply email AWB’s Mike Hudson at MikeH@awb.org with your name (or the name of someone else in your company or another colleague) and phone number.

Legal Legislation and Construction Tax Revenue on Next Washington Business Weekly  
AWB’s Kris Tefft will discuss this session’s legal legislation, and the Washington Research Council’s Kriss Sjoblom will reveal the relationship between construction and tax revenue and why we should be concerned on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180 (11 a.m.-12 noon) and Spokane's KSBN-AM 1230 (5-6 p.m.), and online at www.awb.org.

Spring Meeting in Spokane on May 22-23
AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting will be held at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel, May 22-23. This is an event you don’t want to miss. At the dinner on May 22, hear a keynote address from Tom Donahue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and enjoy the presentation of the Community Service Awards. To register for this event, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or log onto www.awb.org/events/MayBoard.asp.

Have Your Company’s Contribution to Community Service Recognized!
AWB’s Community Service Awards will be presented at a special dinner held in conjunction with AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 22. Submit your applications before Friday, April 20 at www.awb.org/services/awards/csaawards.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 JenniferC@awb.org.

Do You Know Someone Who Should Be on AWB’s Board?  Nominations are Being Taken! 
Deadline: May 11. At AWB’s May 22-23 Board meetings we will develop a slate of candidates for Board consideration. Know someone who should be on AWB’s Board? Send us that person’s name and contact information by May 11. Contact AWB’s Dick Walter at (360) 943-1600 or DickW@awb.org. 

Northwest Environmental Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Call Now!
The Northwest Environmental Summit is scheduled for Oct. 17-18 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. The Summit is a prime opportunity for your company to gain visibility in front of a targeted audience of environmental professionals, managers, agency heads and policy-makers. To become a sponsor, visit www.envsummit.com or contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Going on Vacation – and Under the Knife - See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org