Governor calls one-day special legislative session – Property tax increase cap on agenda
Gov. Chris Gregoire called an emergency legislative session, scheduled for Nov. 29, to adopt the 1-percent property tax increase cap recently thrown out by the State Supreme Court when it invalidated Initiative 747. For more on this topic, check out AWB’s Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

 

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: Has the 1-Percent Cap Caused Problems?; “Fuggedaboutit,” Rules Supreme Court; Some Pre-Holiday Discord Over Special Session; and Paid Leave Task Force: Thoughts on Funding. To see these and other posts, check out Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

 

Brunell meeting with governor
AWB President Don Brunell will meet one-on-one with Gov. Gregoire on Dec. 3. If you have items you would like him to discuss with her, please let him know. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

Manufacturers must renew covered electronic products annual registration
It’s time for manufacturers of covered electronic products (CEPs) to renew their annual registration in Washington. To renew your registration, go to https://secureaccess.wa.gov/index.html. Your registration renewal must reach the Washington State Department of Ecology by Jan. 1, 2008. For more information, go to www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle/. For questions or assistance with the registration process, please call (360) 407-6999 or e-mail math461@ecy.wa.gov.

 

AWB’s Human Resource Council to meet Nov. 27
AWB’s Human Resource Council is meeting on Nov. 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to

discuss legislative strategy on three priority employment law issues: implementation and funding of the new paid family leave law, the treatment of commute time in company vehicles after the Supreme Court’s Brinks decision, and labor’s “neutrality” bill. Conference call is available. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Puget Sound Partnership subcommittee meeting Nov. 28
AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership subcommittee meeting will take place on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at AWB. David Dicks, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership,

will speak. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Learn how tribal sovereignty impacts you and your community
AWB encourages members to attend a workshop (Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St., Port Angeles) to uncover some of the biggest myths surrounding Washington tribes and our Indian people. Co-sponsored by the Washington State Department of Revenue, the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs and AWB, this workshop will explore the meaning of tribal sovereignty and how it impacts you and your community. To register, click here or at (800) 647-7706.

Washington Emergency Management Division launches new business Internet site
The Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) has launched one of the nation’s most comprehensive Internet sites to help state businesses plan for and respond to emergencies. Visit the site at http://emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_business.shtml. Since private industry owns about 85 percent of the U.S. critical infrastructure, much of the success of our state’s emergency response and recovery programs will depend upon a high degree of disaster resilience by businesses and the private sector. EMD’s goal is to ensure that Washington businesses have a roadmap to prepare and be ready to face the most challenging conditions. The site is a one-stop destination to provide the most user-friendly, comprehensive information available to assist business in achieving their highest possible readiness level to withstand a variety of emergency impacts. Contact Rob Harper at (253) 512-7005.

Better Workplace Awards nominations due by Jan. 4
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies who have taken extra steps to create a better working environment in the areas of workplace safety, job training and advancement programs, and innovative benefit and compensation programs. Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! Submit your nominations by Jan. 4, 2008, to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Green Shopping is Key to Cleaner Planet - See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org.