Boeing rolls out first Dreamliner
Boeing will roll out its new 787 Dreamliner on Sunday—07/08/07—during a ceremony at its Everett assembly plant. As Boeing’s next-generation aircraft, the 787 is lighter and more fuel efficient than previous models. Changes to state laws during the 2003 legislative session—particularly unemployment insurance reforms and tax incentives—helped land the 787 assembly facility in Everett. Hopefully, lawmakers will be mindful of the public policy incentives that made it possible for Boeing to build the 787 in Washington. There’s an excellent story about the 787 in this month’s Washington CEO magazine at http://washingtonceo.com/news-article-display/article/146/boeing-reinv.html.

Legislative Voting Record nears completion
AWB’s 2007 Legislative Voting Record was approved by the Governmental Affairs Council and Executive Committee in June. Look for the results in the next issue of Washington Business magazine. AWB thanks all who were involved, especially Steve Gano, who chaired the Voting Record Task Force, and Kathleen Collins, GAC vice chair.

Revenue works with businesses on new tax laws
The Department of Revenue will conduct one-on-one visits with employers needing assistance with SB 5089, the state’s new streamlined sales tax law. The law, which takes effect in July 2008, implements destination-based sourcing. This means that sales tax will be collected based on rates in effect at the final destination of the product, rather than at the origin. DOR representatives will be available for on-site visits at businesses to review existing procedures and develop personalized plans for individual companies, if needed. Participation is confidential and will only include staff from DOR’s taxpayer assistance division. DOR will not conduct audits as a result of participation in the program. AWB staff will be available to attend, if requested. To learn more about scheduling a one-on-one visit, please contact DOR’s Jenny Smith at JennyS@dor.wa.gov.

Health care costs moderating
Health care cost increases will slow in 2008, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Private insurers expect 2008 medical costs to increase an average 9.9 percent for preferred provider organizations and health maintenance organizations and 7.4 percent for consumer-driven health plans. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog: http://awbblog.typepad.com/olympia_business_watch.

Card check legislation dead for 2007
In a major victory for employers, the state Senate failed to invoke cloture on HR 800, the Employee Free Choice Act, by a vote of 51-48. AWB weighed in strongly on the measure with its congressional delegation, but Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell sided with their Democratic colleagues and the unions. Organized labor and their congressional allies promise to keep bringing the issue back and will make it a major factor in the 2008 campaign. If the bill passes, workers will lose their right to a supervised private ballot election to determine whether or not to join a union.

Governor appoints six citizens to Puget Sound Partnership’s governing body
Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed six citizens who will join former Environmental Protection Agency head William Ruckelshaus on the Puget Sound Partnership’s governing body. Those chosen are: Billy Frank, Jr., chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission; Diana Gale, University of Washington; Martha Kongsgaard, president of the Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation; Daniel O’Neal, member of the board of The Greenbrier Companies, founder of PowerTech Group, Inc. and vice president of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group; Steven Sakuma, CEO of Sakuma Brothers Holding Co.; and Bill Wilkerson, retired director of the Washington Forest Protection Association and lead negotiator of the Forest and Fish Agreement. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

AWB endorses campaign to reject Referendum 67
AWB’s Executive Committee voted to support the campaign to reject Referendum 67. Referendum 67 was filed by our allies in the business community to submit SB 5726 to a vote of (and intended rejection by) the people. SB 5726 enacted the so-called “Insurance Fair Conduct Act,” the major features of which establish treble punitive damages (in addition to actual damages) and imposes mandatory attorney’s fees for the prevailing party (one-way; the defense cannot recover its fees if it prevails) based upon a finding of “unreasonableness” in the handling of an insurance claim.

Wind energy sitings hit snags 
AWB contacted Gov. Chris Gregoire, asking her to approve the Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) recommendation to approve permitting of the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project. She rejected the EFSEC recommendation, saying the project needs a redesign. If our state is to meet the criteria under Initiative 937, which the governor endorsed, it needs to expeditiously site wind projects like Kittitas Valley which is located between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. I-937 requires that 15 percent of our electricity be generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar. It does not include hydroelectric power. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Coovert, Fagan selected for family leave study representing AWB
AWB submitted the names of executive committee members Judy Coovert, Printcom (Des Moines) and Susan Fagan, Schweitzer Engineering Labs, Inc., (Pullman) for the Family Leave Task Force. On Friday, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, informed AWB President Don Brunell that Coovert and Fagan will be the business representatives. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Judge hears insurance commissioner litigation
A Spokane judge heard arguments from the insurance commissioner and attorneys for Associated Industries and AWB on the validity of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s recent technical assistance advisory (TAA). The judge will likely issue a written decision early this month. AWB contends that Kreidler’s TAA has no basis in law. Former insurance commissioner Debra Senn agreed and filed a declaration on our behalf in the case.

Want an HR seminar in your town? Contact AWB.
AWB recently conducted a series of briefings on the paid family leave bill and other HR issues. If we missed your town and you would like the presentation, contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Secure your Policy Summit sponsorship by July 14 to be included in promotional materials
AWB’s Policy Summit will be held Sept. 19 to 21 at Semiahmoo Resort. As a sponsor, your company will receive acknowledgement before, during and following the event in marketing materials, signage and in AWB’s magazine, Washington Business. Display opportunities are also available. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

AWB Regional Board Meetings
Don’t miss the chance to let AWB know what we can do for you. The Regional Board Meetings are your chance to participate in the formation of AWB’s 2008 Legislative Agenda. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

Pre-order your new Federal Minimum Wage poster
The minimum wage will be changing to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. This change means an update for the federal minimum wage poster. If you place your order for the updated set today, we will get the new postings shipped to you as soon as possible. To pre-order your poster, call AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (800) 521-9325.

AWB survey coming soon
Moore Information is currently conducting an online membership survey for AWB. If you received an e-mail invitation to participate, please do so. Right after July 4, we will also conduct a 500-member telephone survey. 

Promote your company to other AWB members at Policy Summit, Sept. 19-21, Semiahmoo Resort
Every year, AWB provides goodie bags to all of our attendees. Give your organization a chance to stand out and make a statement by being a contributing goodie bag sponsor. Contact Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Congratulations to AWB membership team 
AWB’s membership recruitment team brought in near-record numbers of new members and membership income. Know someone who should join AWB? Contact AWB’s Jim Durland at (360) 943-1600 or JimD@awb.org.

Blame the Beetles - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org