Happy Thanksgiving
We wish you, your family and friends a happy Thanksgiving. Please remember our troops and their families as you gather around the dinner table to enjoy a bountiful meal. Many service men and women will have turkey and the trimmings in a mess hall in combat zones or in the field from a rations package.

Unionization legislation coming back next year
Representatives of AWB met with Marty Brown, Gov. Gregoire’s legislative director, and received copies of the latest draft of the so-called “union neutrality” bill. Last session, the bill targeted aerospace; this year it’s open season on all employers. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

State revenue forecast down
Washington’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council just sliced $132.4 million from its revenue estimate for the combined 2005-2007 and 2007-2009 biennia. That's a pretty big slice, and it raises the question: Is this the turn? After several years of upward adjustments in revenues—largely fueled by real estate and construction—the downturn is both expected and disturbing. Read more at Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

AWB coordinating business community input on governor’s climate change initiative
A lot is going on with Gov. Gregoire’s climate change initiative. AWB is working hard to coordinate the business community’s input. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org, or Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

AWB hires new health and education director
Donna Steward will join AWB’s governmental affairs staff on Jan. 1. She brings a stellar background to our organization. From 1995 to 1999, she was legislative research analyst covering health care and K-12 and higher education in the Legislature. From 2000 to 2003 she was executive director of the Association of Washington Healthcare Plans. Steward  then worked with Medicare as a program manager and was elevated to associate regional administrator in 2005. We look forward to working with her.

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 Governmental Affairs staff include: Less Money, More Caution Following Forecast, 2010 Winter Olympics Approaching Fast, Next Moves in the SCHIP Battle, Washington on Pace to Gain Another Congressional Seat, Is 2008 a 1932 Moment?, Simple Majority Pulls Ahead in the Vote Count, Health Care Costs Rise With Productivity, and Will Lawmakers Reinstate I-747? To see these and other posts, check out Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

Washington Business magazine in the mail
The latest issue of Washington Business is in the mail. It’s a good issue with a focus on transportation. Please read it, support our advertisers, and pass it on to your colleagues, friends and neighbors.

AWB increases participation in Pacific Northwest Economic Region
AWB is stepping up its participation in the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, a group of legislators, business leaders and elected officials from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon Territory. The purpose is to resolve key issues—like energy, climate change, water, trade and tourism—as a region. Energy and climate change were high on the agenda at last week’s PNWER meeting.

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.

AWB’s office will be closed on Friday, Nov. 23.

Has the Brinks decision affected your company?
Last month, the Washington Supreme Court released its decision in Stevens v. Brinks Home Security holding that, contrary to prior understandings of the law and the practice of other states, employers must pay workers for time spent commuting to and from home and work if they are driving a company-provided vehicle. The ruling cuts across all industries and has already spawned copycat class-action lawsuits. A coalition is forming to address the issue. If you’re affected, we need to hear from you! Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Qwest comes through
Thanks to Kirk Nelson and the Qwest Foundation for the $10,000 grant to Washington Business Week. The program, which was founded by AWB more than 30 years ago, is partially funded by an annual grant from AWB. Steve Hyer, Washington Business Week president, says money is important and so are volunteers. If you could spare some time to work with high school students and teach them about business, it would be a very rewarding experience. For more information, contact Steve Hyer at (253) 815-6900 or Steve@wbw.org.

Manufacturers must renew covered electronic products Annual Registration
It is 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. at AWB 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.

Employment Law Seminar: Hiring, managing and discharging your employees
This one-day seminar on Dec. 4 is a powerful tool that will help inform your key personnel on how to avoid legal traps and provide a solid understanding of changing laws and regulations in the employment area. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org. Log on to www.awb.org/events/seminars/employmentaw.asp.

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.

Math teacher needed in Kent School District
If you have a math degree, are willing to teach math, and available to work from now until the end of the school year, the Kent School District wants to hear from you. Note: The district will request an emergency teaching certificate if you do not have one. For a detailed job description, please visit www.kent.k12.wa.us/hrPositionOpen/PositionOpen.aspx.

Would You Pay More to Go Faster? - See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org.