Senate Budget Spends Heavily From $2.2 Billion Surplus
The Senate has approved a budget, which spends over $45 billion for running state government, building highways and financing construction. The House budget was approved last week. The vote was 30 to 17, mostly on party lines. All Democrats except for Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, supported the budget while the GOP senators voted against it as a bloc. Budget negotiations with the House will begin soon. AWB hopes that whatever compromise budget eventually emerges, it will include a rainy day fund. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

House Committee Strips Small Group Reforms from Health Care Bill
E2SSB 5930, which implements 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 and more flexible health plans for small businesses when it unanimously passed the Senate. Unfortunately, the House Health Care & Wellness Committee stripped those reforms from the bill when they moved it out of committee. Contact your representatives, and tell them not to accept the committee amendment. Don’t let these reforms and the opportunity for lower costs slip away again. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Research & Development Bills Moving Through Legislative Process
Bills to restore B&O tax credit for high technology research and development spending are moving through the Senate and House. HB 1695 is the House Rules Committee and is near being sent to the floor for a vote. SB 5685 is in the House Finance Committee. AWB strongly supports these bills and wants to see them enacted. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Governor’s “Climate Change Challenge” Gets Underway
The Climate Advisory Team held its first meeting last Friday, March 30. Co-directed by Ecology and CTED, CAT members, representing state and local government, universities, environmental advocates, business and tribes, will serve as the lead entity charged with accomplishing the goals outlined in Governor Gregoire’s Executive Order on climate change, signed in February. Ten separate workgroups have been formed to discuss and make recommendations regarding greenhouse gas reductions and adapting to changes in Washington’s climate. Ecology’s climate change Web site is: www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Paid Family Leave Bill Now in the House – Urge Your Representatives to Say No
SB 5659, which would mandate paid family leave, is now in the House. Despite AWB’s opposition, it is about to be passed out of committee. This bill would allow five weeks of paid family leave – a costly program that would be financed by even small employers. AWB wants to prevent this bill from being passed in the House. Help AWB stop SB 5659 by telling your state representatives that you oppose this burdensome measure. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Bill Would Require General Funds to be Forecasted – AWB Supports
SB 5691, a good common sense bill that requires general funds to be forecasted, is in the House Appropriations Committee. AWB supports this measure and would like to see it be passed out of committee so it can receive a full House vote. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Puget Sound Partnership Bill Passed Out of House Appropriations Committee
SB 5372, which would create the Puget Sound Partnership as an independent state agency, has been passed out of the House Appropriations Committee. The bill would create a partnership to be lead by a council and executive director appointed by the governor. The commission would be responsible for setting goals for cleaning up Puget Sound by 2020. Currently, the bill includes a significant portion of our language on regulatory authority. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org or Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

So-Called “Insurance Fair Conduct Act” Would Encourage Frivolous Lawsuits
SB 5726, known as the “Insurance Fair Conduct Act,” would prohibit insurance companies from unreasonably or negligently denying a claim for coverage or payment of benefits to an insured. A plaintiff successfully proving a violation through a legal challenge may be awarded up to three times the original claim amount plus legal expenses. AWB opposes this measure because it would encourage frivolous lawsuits against insurers. Unfortunately, this bill is now in Rules – one step away from a floor vote in the House. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Streamlined Sales Tax Does Not Go Into Effect until 2008 – AWB Will Have Info for Our Members
The recently enacted streamlined sales tax law doesn't go into effect until 2008, so AWB will have plenty of time to work with our members on implementation. DOR will also have an aggressive outreach effort that we will double up on. As soon as session is over we will announce more specifics. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Industrial Land Bank Bill One Step from Senate Floor Vote
HB 1965, which would amend the process of master planned locations for industrial developments and which AWB supports, is now in Senate Rules – one step from a floor vote. Among other changes, the bill requires a two step process: designation of an industrial land bank in the comprehensive plan, and subsequent approval of specific major industrial developments through a local master plan process. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Bill Would Drive Up Construction Costs
SSB 6011 would create a Maury Island Aquatic Reserve and prohibit Glacier Northwest’s proposed barge transportation dock on the island. AWB opposes this measure for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the bill would increase construction costs for the regions public works. This increase would force the dock for the Maury Island mine out of business. With the dock, the region would benefit from the equivalent of 200 to 400 truck haul trips with one to two barges a day. Without the dock, sand and gravel would have to be transported by truck from much farther distances over already congested highways. The bill is now in Rules – one step from going to the House floor for a vote. Please help AWB by urging your representatives to oppose this counterproductive measure. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, Will Discuss Budget at Next Lobby Lunch – April 5, 12 noon-1 p.m.
Contact AWB's Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Washington Business Weekly – On the Air and Online at www.awb.org  
Listen Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180 (11 a.m.-12 noon) and Spokane's KSBN-AM 1230 (5-6 p.m.).

2007 Compensation Data Survey
Your chance to receive Compensation Data – Pacific Northwest, the largest pay and benefits survey in the state, for the low participant rate of $349 will soon be gone! Sign up to participate in the survey, and save more than $500 off the non-participant price. But you must act now! The deadline to submit data is May 11. Make sure to use promo code AWB when placing your order to receive your full discount. For more information, call Compdata Surveys at (800) 300-9570 or visit www.compdatasurveys.com.

Have Your Company’s Contribution to Community Service Recognized!
AWB’s Community Service Awards will be presented at a special dinner held in conjunction with AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 22. Submit your applications before Friday, April 20 at www.awb.org/services/awards/csaawards.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 JenniferC@awb.org.