Legislative Session Begins - AWB’s Office Hours Will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

AWB Signs Value-Driven Health Care Agreement with Secretary Leavitt 
On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt invited AWB President Don Brunell to sign a value-driven health care agreement for our state’s employers. The agreement has four principles which President Bush announced last summer.  Also part of the signing ceremony was Gov. Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims, the Washington Roundtable, and several AWB members including Microsoft, Starbucks, Aetna, Premera Blue Cross, Group Health Cooperative, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Airlines, Regence, and Symetra.  For more details go to www.awb.org and click on to Olympia Business Watch, our new blog.

Research Council Takes on the Governor’s Budget
Gov. Gregoire’s budget for 2007-09 spends $33.4 billion from the general state fund and related accounts, up 14.9 percent from 2005-07 budget. Ending reserves are only 2 percent of spending, too low for this point in the revenue cycle. The spending commitments made in the budget are not sustainable and create a $1.2 billion structural deficit. Read more at www.researchcouncil.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. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

AWB’s Dick Walter on Panel to Review State’s Emergency Response – He Needs Your Input!
Tomorrow AWB Vice President of Operations Dick Walter will participate in a blue ribbon panel that will examine the state’s response to last month’s windstorm. Of particular concern to the panel are the following: 1) How effective was the state’s communication system across the network of first responders and other emergency personnel? 2) How effective was the delivery of information regarding recovery from the storm and its dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning, especially for communities that are not proficient in English? 3) What should be done to ensure our infrastructure can respond to disasters in a timely and efficient manner? 4) Can the state’s emergency response coordination be improved and how? The panel’s recommendations will be sent to the governor. If you have input on these issues, please send it to Dick at DickW@awb.org.

Rep. Jim Clements Chosen to Fill State Senate Seat
Rep. Jim Clements, R-Yakima, has been chosen to fill the 14th District Senate seat vacated last year by Sen. Alex Deccio, R-Yakima.

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.

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.

Talking Budget on Next Washington Business Weekly – On the Air and Online at www.awb.org 
The Washington Research Council’s Kriss Sjoblom will discuss the governor’s budget on Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11a.m.-12 noon, and on Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 p.m.

AWB President Don Brunell’s Outreach Program Circuit Begins 
AWB needs your input to help make our state more attractive for employers, workers and families.  Don would love to come speak to your chamber or service club. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

Watch for Washington Business Magazine – Coming in Mid-January
The pre-Christmas power outage pushed the upcoming issue of Washington Business off to mid-January.  But when it is published, look for interesting information including the following details: This is the third time in the state’s history where the Democrats have more than a 60 percent majority in both chambers of the Legislature and control the governor’s office. The other times were in 1935 with Gov. Clarence D. Martin and in 1959 with Gov. Albert Rosellini. Two Republican governors have enjoyed more than a 60 percent majority throughout their term in office: Louis F. Hart (1919-1925) and Roland H. Hartley (1925-1933).  The largest majority total for Democrats was in 1937 with the Senate at 41-5 and the House at 93-6. The largest majority of Republicans was in 1929, with the Senate at 41-1 and the House at 91-6.

Emergency Planning & Disaster Management Seminar on Jan. 31st– Is Your Business Prepared?
Visit www.awb.org/events/seminars/emergencyplanning.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.