Puget Sound Partnership Approved by Legislature – Ruckelshaus Appointed Council Head
Today Gov. Gregoire signed SB 5372, which creates the Puget Sound Partnership, and appointed former EPA head Bill Ruckelshaus to chair the citizens’ council that will govern the partnership. This new state agency, which replaces the Puget Sound Action Team and Shared Salmon Strategy, is responsible for cleaning up and restoring Puget Sound by 2020. AWB actively participated in negotiating various sections of the final bill and is currently in the process of providing recommendations to the governor for business community representatives to serve on the agency’s seven-member leadership council and ecosystem coordinating board. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Gov. Gregoire Signs Deeply Flawed Health Care Bill
Gov. Gregoire has signed E2SSB 5930, a deeply flawed health care bill that is a major missed opportunity. The original bill implemented the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Cost and Access, included vital reforms to the small group market that would have allowed lower cost, more flexible health plans for small businesses when it unanimously passed the Senate. Unfortunately, the House removed small group reforms from the bill. As a result, the bill is now a blueprint for a massive and expensive expansion of government involvement in health care. This measure does little to make health care more affordable for small business and may even add costs. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Governor Signs Climate Change Bill
Gov. Gregoire signed SB 6001, which puts in statute most of her greenhouse gas reduction and clean energy employment goals. AWB worked hard to ensure that a stakeholder process, including representatives of the employer community, was in the bill’s final language. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Industrial Land Bank Bill to be Signed Into Law
On Friday, the governor will sign the AWB-backed HB 1965, which amends the process of master planned locations for industrial developments. Overturning a recent Growth Management Hearings Board ruling, the bill permits a two step process: 1) Designation of an industrial land bank in the comprehensive plan, and 2) subsequent approval of specific major industrial developments through a local master plan process. AWB worked hard with the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland, to gain passage of this bill and is very pleased with this outcome. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Ecology Reissuing Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit
The Dept. of Ecology is preparing to reissue its draft industrial stormwater permit, which affects 2,300 businesses in the state. AWB has urged Ecology to not reissue the permit at this time but to keep in place the current permit until a variety of issues are settled. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Voters Not So Sure About Session
According to the most recent Elway Poll, voters don’t quite share Olympia’s exuberant assessment of the recent legislative session as expressed by Gov. Gregoire and Democrat legislative leaders. Fewer than half of the voters interviewed by Seattle pollster Stuart Elway rated the session as effective, which is slightly lower than last year. 

Economy Shows Signs of Slowing
Late last week, AWB Vice President of Communications Dick Davis posted an article from CNN Money Watch on AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog that reported our economy grew only 1.3 percent for the first quarter. It was the slowest growth rate for the first quarter in four years. The culprits were a weakening housing market, sluggish business spending, and higher prices. While Washington’s economy seems to be immune so far, there are storm clouds on the horizon.  Remember, China’s economy is clipping along at a 10 to 11 percent growth rate.

Who Will Pay for Paid Family Leave?
AWB weighed in with Gov. Gregoire, sending her two letters asking for a veto of all but the study portion of the paid family leave bill. Hopefully, a careful study will target the extent of the problem with leave for birth, adoption and sickness. But targeting employers as the funding source is the wrong way to go. Unfortunately, the governor will sign the bill tomorrow. For copies of our letters to the governor, contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

Chamber and Service Club Presentations Continue 
We are continuing our legislative wrap-up presentations. This week, AWB president was in Spokane at the Spokane Valley Chamber. Later this month, he’ll be in Yakima, Tumwater, Burlington and Vancouver. AWB Vice President of Governmental Affairs Gary Chandler conducted a legislative wrap-up for the Tri-City Chamber. If you want to schedule a session wrap-up, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

We Need Your Input!
On May 14, AWB President Don Brunell will have a quarterly meeting with new L&I Director Judy Schurke to talk about pressing and emerging issues. On June 7, he will meet with Charlie Earl, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Later this month he’ll be speaking with Karen Lee, executive director of Employment Security. If you have items of concern that you’d like him to discuss, send them to Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

Forklift Safety: Train the Trainer Workshop
Proper forklift-safety training will make your company a safer place to work—and keep you in compliance with the law. This seminar will teach current licensed operators how to conduct proper safety training for their employees. Don’t miss this half day seminar! To register, please visit www.awb.org/events/forkliftsafety.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Do You Know Someone Who Should Be on AWB’s Board?  Nominations are Being Taken! 
Send us that person’s name and contact information by May 11. Contact AWB’s Dick Walter at (360) 943-1600 or DickW@awb.org. 

Compliance Tools at Your Fingertips!
The Association of Washington Business has partnered with leading Washington law firms to provide employers with easy reference guides covering employment and environmental laws and regulations.  To see a complete list of our guides and posters, please visit www.awb.org/services/publications.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Spring Meeting in Spokane - Sign up Today
Don’t miss AWB’s Spring Board Meeting at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel, May 22-23. Hear a Keynote Address from Tom Donahue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and enjoy the presentation of the Community Service Awards. To register, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or log onto www.awb.org/events/MayBoard.asp.

GAC Retreat on June 20 & 21 – Register & Reserve Your Room! 
Mark your calendars for June 20-21 for the Governmental Affairs Council Retreat at the Alderbrook Resort & Spa on the Hood Canal. You may register now online at www.awb.org/events/gac.asp.  Reserve your room by call (800) 622-9370 – block of rooms are under AWB.  Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Overwhelmed by Shipping Costs? Start Saving Today!
AWB Freight Savings Program gives small and mid-sized companies the same opportunities to save money on shipping as larger companies. Participants will receive a 74-78 percent discount off the carrier’s base rates! For more information, visit www.awb.org/services/freightsavings.asp

Northwest Environmental Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Call Now!
The Northwest Environmental Summit (Oct. 17-18, Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center) is a great opportunity for your company to gain visibility in front of environmental professionals, managers, agency heads and policy-makers. To become a sponsor, visit www.envsummit.com or contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Lawsuits Keep Getting Wackier - See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org