Happy New Year - May 2007 Be Your Best Year Ever!

Remembering President Gerald Ford (1913-2006)
AWB President Don Brunell writes: “I have two special ink pens at home. One is a Gerald Ford pen from his time as vice president. During the early 1970s, I was a congressional aide in Washington, D.C.  Congressman Gerald Ford was minority leader of the House. I had the opportunity to meet President Ford and worked with his staff a bit on the reorganization of the Penn Central Railroad, which was bankrupt at the time. When Ford became vice president, he gave my boss two pens; one was for ‘that young staff guy from Butte,’ as he put it.  Ford was a decent, thoughtful man who put our country at rest after Vietnam and Watergate.  While many will never forgive him for pardoning Richard Nixon, he will go down in my book as one of the best.” 

Meeting with Sec. Leavitt and Gov. Gregoire on President’s National Health Care Initiative
On Jan. 3, AWB President Don Brunell will join U.S. Health Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and Gov. Chris Gregoire in signing a document supporting President Bush’s Executive Order on health care. The president signed an Executive Order committing federal health programs to provide meaningful, consistent information on both the quality and price of health care services. Under this initiative, participants in federal health programs will be able to access quality and price information about the health care they receive. By making this information available, all stakeholders in the health care system will have better tools and incentives to improve care and maximize the value of their health care purchases. 

State Minimum Wage Rises to $7.93 per Hour
On January 1, the state minimum wage was increased from $7.63 to $7.93 per hour. For more information, visit AWB’s new Olympia Business Watch blog at http://awbblog.typepad.com/olympia_business_watch.

Rainy Day Fund Has House Opposition
Constitutionally protected “rainy day” fund proposals advanced by Gov. Gregoire and Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, are expected to face tough opposition in the House. AWB members should contact House members in their legislative districts to support it.

Here is Why AWB Has Concerns About the Governor’s Budget
Revenue growth is projected to increase by 7.9 percent or by $2.168 billion in the next general fund budget cycle, 2007-09. To maintain current spending levels including salary increases for teachers specified under I-732 requires $1.945 billion in new revenues. In the governor’s budget announced late last month, the combination of new spending proposals coupled with the maintenance level funding requires $3.470 billion in additional revenues in the next two years. The bottom line is Gov. Gregoire’s budget outspends projected revenue growth by 60 percent. Contact AWB’s Dick Davis at (360) 943-1600 or RichardD@awb.org.

Legislative Reception Day on Feb. 7 – Plan to Sponsor and Attend!  
This year our annual Legislative Reception is Feb. 7 at the Red Lion in Olympia, starting 9 a.m., with a legislative program featuring panels on taxes and budget, human resources and health care.  Gov. Gregoire will speak at lunch, and our Board will meet later that afternoon. Please pledge your support for this great event. To register or to become a sponsor, see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org. 

AWB Land Use Committee Meeting – Growth Management Act to be Discussed
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Jan. 9, 10 a.m-12 noon at AWB. We will review the legislative recommendations of the Growth Management Act workgroup and compile a possible legislative package for 2007. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

AWB Submits State Chamber Accreditation Application 
AWB submitted its accreditation application to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to become a 5-Star Accredited State Chamber of Commerce. We have submitted a half dozen notebooks to the Chamber and should know the results by mid-2007. 

Start The Year Off In Compliance!
There have been significant updates to employer posting requirements for 2007. Place your order today to ensure your company is in complete compliance with Washington state and federal labor law posting requirements. To order an updated state and federal poster set, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
Better Workplace Awards – Send Nominations by Jan. 5 to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp

2007 Manufacturer of the Year Awards – Now Accepting Nominations
These awards will be presented at AWB’s Legislative Luncheon/Reception on Feb. 7. All nominations must be received by Jan. 15. Learn more at www.awb.org/services/awards/csaawards.asp. Contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 or MikeH@awb.org.

Environmental Issues on Next Washington Business Weekly – On the Air and Online at www.awb.org 
We’ll discuss AWB’s environmental policy objectives with Chris McCabe and talk with AWB’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs Gary Chandler on Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11a.m.-12 noon, and on Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 p.m.