Companies win AWB Environmental Excellence Award
AWB presented nine companies with its prestigious Environmental Excellence Award last week at the 2007 Northwest Environmental Summit. The award recognizes the companies’ efforts in going beyond the call of duty to help protect the environment. This year’s winners are Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, SSA Marine, PACCAR Inc., Stemilt Growers Inc., Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Corp. of America, AAA Kartak Glass and Closet Inc., Les Schwab Tire Centers, Achilles USA Inc., and Quadrant Homes. Congratulations to all!

AWB working to help businesses prepare for disasters
One of the special relationships AWB has developed during the past few years is with the Washington State Emergency Management Division and the Washington State Department of Health. Now, by clicking on the EMD (Homeland Security) icon located on AWB’s home page at www.awb.org, you can reach a one-stop shopping location filled with valuable information aimed to help businesses and individuals cope with disasters. There’s also a related site offering information on pandemic flu. Stay tuned for updates and public service announcements throughout the year. Late last week, western Washington suffered under a nasty wind and rain storm. Fortunately, it was nowhere near as bad as the storm that hit us last December. You never know when a disaster is coming. It’s time to get ready! 

AWB Tax and Fiscal Policy Council to meet Oct. 23
The AWB Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet on Oct. 23 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Deloitte office in Seattle. Among other topics, we will discuss draft legislation for the 2008 session. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org. 

Don’t miss Olympia Business Watch
Olympia Business Watch is AWB’s blog reviewing the news and events shaping business and politics. Recent posts by AWB’s Communications and Government Affairs staff include: McCain Joins the Health Care Debate; Paid Leave Task Force: Labor Reps Looking to Expand; Cost of Doing Business in Washington – We’re #15; BPA Exec Sees More Tough Energy Choices Ahead; and Schwarzenegger Vetoes Family Leave Legislation. To see these and other posts, check out Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

AWB Wage and Hour Law Seminar coming Nov. 8
Unfortunately, even minor mistakes or small misinterpretations of the FLSA's wage and hour laws can lead to major problems. When it comes to something as important as employee wages, you know you can't make assumptions and hope you're right. Don’t miss this seminar! For more information, go to www.awb.org/events/wage.asp, or contact AWB’s J-Anne Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or JAnneN@awb.org to register.

Hammond announces new WSDOT appointments
Paula Hammond, who recently took over as director of the Washington State Department of Transportation, has made several key appointments: Dave Dye as chief operating officer, Steve Reinmuth as chief of staff, and Amy Arnis as chief financial officer and assistant secretary for strategic planning and finance.

Ecology accepting pre-applications for Columbia Basin Water Management Grants
The Washington State Department of Ecology is accepting pre-applications for Columbia River Basin Water Management Grants. The grants will fund a variety of conservation and storage projects, including surface storage, aquifer storage, pump exchange project feasibility studies, operations and maintenance, and conservation infrastructure. Pre-applications are due by Nov. 30. Send pre-applications directly to DOE, or submit them through your local conservation districts. Successful pre-applicants may submit an application in March 2008. DOE will award the grants in July 2009. For more information, contact Al Josephy at (360) 407-6456 or AJos461@ecy.wa.gov.

Snohomish County public hearing on climate change and sustainability
The Snohomish County Council has developed draft policies on climate change and sustainability in response to County Executive Aaron Reardon’s executive order on climate change adopted last July. The order directs the county to minimize community greenhouse gas emissions and plan for adaptation to the effects of climate change. The Snohomish County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the draft policies for Oct. 23 in Everett. The council is accepting public comments on the document up to and during that time. The proposal includes two new goals and four new objectives for the Natural Environment chapter of the county’s Growth Management Act Comprehensive Plan. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson or (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Be sure to check out AWB-TV
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 hosts an interesting discussion on climate change. Watch it at www.youtube.com/user/AWBorg.

Attention retailers: Destination-based sales tax workshop coming to a location near you
On July 1, 2008, Washington will change the way retailers who deliver goods to customers within Washington state collect sales tax. At a free, two-hour workshop presented by the Washington State Department of Revenue, you’ll learn about destination-based sales tax and how it will affect the sales tax rate you charge your customers. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions and receive an information packet. Topics to be discussed include: The national Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, why it was adopted and how it will change the way you do business, who is affected by the change, and business assistance available to help you make the change. Get more information or register by going to http://dor.wa.gov and clicking on “Workshops and Education” or by calling (800) 647-7706. Hurry, because seating is limited. All workshops run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dates and locations: Oct. 24, Kennewick; Oct. 30, Tukwila; Nov. 6, Yakima; Dec. 5, Olympia.

Advertise in Washington Business magazine
Washington Business magazine, published by AWB, is one of the best ways to communicate with 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.

L&I forming Safety and Health Investment Projects Advisory Committee
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is forming an advisory committee for its Safety and Health Investment projects. This is the new system that will be providing grant money to promising initiatives suggested by the business and labor communities. Members representing a state-plan-covered employer (not self-insured) interested in serving on the advisory committee should contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org by Oct. 26.

Joint Education Committee’s Workforce Training Committee meets Oct. 30
AWB’s Board of Directors recently revised its legislative objectives for education and workforce training with an emphasis on vocational education and basic skills from the K-12 system for workforce and college readiness. We will hold a special meeting to address these issues as a joint effort between the AWB Education Committee and Workforce Training Committee. Attending will be John Aultman of the Career and College Readiness Division of OSPI, and David Harrison, chairman of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. The meeting will be held on Oct. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Workers’ Compensation Coalition meeting cancelled
The Workers’ Compensation Coalition meeting, previously set for Oct. 30 at AWB, has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. The next coalition meeting will take place on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AWB. We’ll provide snacks during the lunch hour. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or disruption this rescheduling creates. As always, we will have call-in available, which you can arrange as we get closer to the meeting date. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org. For call-in information, contact Shannon Garland at ShannonG@awb.org.

Don’t Let the Well Run Dry - See this week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org