AWB member testifies in support of stronger math requirements
Mike Bernard, AWB member and co-chair of the Education and Training Committee, testified at the March 27 meeting of the Washington State Board of Education in support of the board’s proposal requiring that students take three years of math coursework to graduate, with the final year culminating in passage of at least Algebra II or Integrated Mathematics III. Students enrolled in career and technical programs will have the option of meeting the requirement through the standard math coursework or specific career or technical math courses on the same level of difficulty. This important step ensures that students will be equipped with the skills necessary to successfully engage in either higher education or workplace opportunities after graduation. For more information, please contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.

AWB urges Washington delegation to support Korea Free Trade Agreement
Pope Benedict XVI is not the only high-level dignitary to visit the nation’s capitol this spring. South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak makes his first official visit to Washington, D.C., in early May.  He will try to help pass the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The agreement opens the door to more exports of U.S. goods, food products and services to a vibrant $1 trillion-a-year market and establishes model legal protections for U.S. companies and farmers doing business with Korea. Among the agreement’s provisions is full resumption of U.S. beef exports to South Korea, something dear to the hearts of Washington cattlemen. AWB President Don C. Brunell recently wrote to Washington’s congressional delegation urging approval of the agreement. For more information, please contact Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org or (360)-943-1600.

AWB Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 21-22
Don’t miss AWB’s Spring Board Meeting at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel. Hear a keynote address from Charlie Cook, a respected authority on U.S. election and political trends, and enjoy the presentation of the Community Service Awards. Make your room reservations by April 18 for a guaranteed special room rate. To register, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or register online by clicking here.

AWB Unemployment Insurance Committee meets April 16
The AWB Unemployment Insurance Committee will meet April 16 at 9:00 a.m. to begin discussions on revisions needed to the state’s current unemployment law to ensure it meets federal Department of Labor conformity provisions. Neil Gorrell of the Washington State Employment Security Department will provide a history of the issue and update the committee on steps taken by ESD to resolve this issue. For more information, please contact AWB’s Donna Steward at 360-943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.

WashACE gets charged up: Richard S. Davis to coordinate competitiveness effort
AWB vice president Dick Davis will leave AWB’s staff in late spring to coordinate the work of the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy. WashACE — a partnership between AWB, the Washington Roundtable and the Washington Research Council — was established in 2000 to focus on competitiveness issues relating to employers in Washington. Davis, who has headed AWB’s communications efforts since December 2006, will continue to consult with AWB on communications issues while coordinating research, publications and message development and placement for WashACE. AWB will begin searching for candidates to fill his position at AWB in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

AWB Community Service Awards deadline coming on April 18
We invite you to nominate your company or other AWB members who have made efforts to improve their communities. AWB will present its Community Service Awards at a special dinner held in conjunction with its Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 21. Submit your applications before Friday, April 18 here or contact Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Washington Policy Center Annual Health Care Conference to be held on May 13
The annual Washington Policy Center Health Care Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 13 at the SeaTac Doubletree Hotel. The lunchtime keynote speaker will be Grace Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. As a member of the National Advisory Council of Healthcare Research and Quality and a recent member of the President’s Medicaid Commission, Turner will address the presidential candidates’ health care plans, the latest trends in consumer-driven health care, and other issues relating to medical innovations, including what to expect in 2009. For more information or online registration, please go to the Washington Policy Web site or contact Anna Carroll at acarroll@washingtonpolicy.org or (206) 937-9691.

Think dams aren’t “Green?” — read Olympia Business Watch
In anticipation of a federal — and perhaps a Washington state — cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gases, Chelan Public Utilities District registered its carbon offsets with the Chicago Climate Exchange, according to a story by Les Blumenthal in The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). The PUD figures that recent improvements to Rocky Reach Dam just north of Wenatchee on the Columbia River means that 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide won’t be pumped into the atmosphere and, therefore, are up for sale. Of the 700,000 tons for sale on the exchange, 160,000 are already sold. To read more about it, log on to Olympia Business Watch.

AWB Workers’ Comp Retro Program safety workshop to be held May 21
Don’t miss this great opportunity to increase your safety knowledge and effectiveness in developing and administering safety programs within your company. The AWB Retro Program is offering a four-course safety seminar on May 21 in Spokane as part of the Certified Safety Coordinator program. For more information, visit AWB's Web site, or contact Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600

Best practices seminar for the Human Resources File Cabinet coming May 28
Learn how to avoid fines, penalties and litigation by adopting “best practices” and maintaining proper employment records on May 28 at Bellevue’s Red Lion Hotel. For more information, please contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600. You can also register online here.

Want to know how the folks in New Jersey feel about Paid Family Leave?
Last year, the New Jersey Legislature passed a paid family leave act allowing workers up to six weeks off to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, or a sick parent, spouse or child. They can collect up to two-thirds of their normal pay, to a maximum of $524 a week. The benefit is funded by worker contributions of an estimated $33 a year through a mandatory employee payroll tax. Payroll deductions are slated to begin Jan. 1, 2009, with benefits to be available beginning July 1, 2009. The bill is very similar to California’s 2004 law. To get the reaction from your counterparts in New Jersey, log on to Olympia Business Watch.

Enhanced Drivers Licenses are heading your way — See Washington Business magazine for details
Tired of waiting in line at Blaine, Wash., to cross the Canadian border? The Washington Department of Licensing is now offering “enhanced driver’s licenses” that serve as both a license to operate your vehicle and as a travel document. Read Paul Schlienz’s story in the March/April 2008 issue of Washington Business magazine for complete information. If you didn’t receive your copy of the latest issue, contact J-Anne Nepomuceno at JanneN@awb.org. To link to DOL’s Web site, go to www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense and click on Enhanced Driver License.

Washington Small Business Forum to be held May 6
The Internal Revenue Service and the City of Bellevue’s Office of Economic Development are hosting the Washington Small Business Forum at Bellevue City Hall on May 6. Speakers from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission will be there to explain how businesses can protect themselves and their customers from identity theft. This forum also allows representatives from business and industry organizations, along with representatives of various federal and state government agencies, to assemble for short presentations, hold roundtable discussions and strengthen relationships. If you plan to attend, please contact AWB’s Amber Carter by April 23 at AmberC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.
 
2008 Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM now available
The 2008 Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM is now available. This CD provides critical tax information to small businesses including forms, instructions and publications. It also provides valuable business information from a variety of government agencies, non-profit organizations and educational institutions. View it online at http://www.missouribusiness.net/irs/. Small business owners can also order a copy of the CD online at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/page/0,,id=7128,00.html or by calling (800) 829-3676.

Focus on learning math, not on the test — See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org