AWB to hold regional board meetings, legislative candidate interviews Sept. 3-18
Members of AWB’s Governmental Affairs staff will hold regional meetings and candidate interviews in Spokane, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Vancouver, Tacoma, Everett and Bellevue next month. Only candidate interviews will be conducted in Yakima, Olympia, Seattle, Mount Vernon, Gig Harbor and Puyallup.AWB members are encouraged to attend these meetings, participate in the formation of our 2009 Legislative Agenda and learn more about legislative candidates and issues of importance to business in this election year. Click here to find the date and time for regional board meetings and legislative candidate interviews in your area. The regional meetings and candidate interviews are open to all AWB members and their staff. For more information, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600.

 

Gregoire and Rossi easily win state’s first ever top two primary
Gov. Chris Gregoire and former Sen. Dino Rossi had no trouble winning the right to challenge each other in the general election through the state’s first-ever top two primary last week. Over the weekend, Gregoire’s lead narrowed to just a 2 percent margin. Among the most contested statewide races was the state treasurer’s contest, where Republican Allan Martin will face Democrat Jim McIntire in the general election. As was expected, there are some legislative races where Democrats will challenge Democrats and others where Republicans will face Republicans in the general election — one of the most unique results of the top two primary.

 

Gregoire, Rossi to debate at AWB’s 19th Annual Policy Summit
Gov. Chris Gregoire and former Sen. Dino Rossi will square off in a one-hour debate next month as part of AWB’s Policy Summit at Semiahmoo Sept. 24-26. The debate, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, will give AWB members an opportunity to hear first-hand from the candidates. Debates for other key elected positions, including superintendent of public instruction, attorney general and public lands commissioner are also scheduled. For a full agenda and to register, click here. To make room reservations, call Semiahmoo Resort at (800) 770-7992 and reference the AWB room block.

 

What would YOU ask the candidates? AWB needs your input!
Calling all AWB members! What would you ask the candidates for the state’s top elected offices? AWB needs your input for the candidate debates at Semiahmoo next month. Send us your questions for the debates for governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and lands commissioner. All questions must include the name, title and organization of the individual submitting the question. For more information, contact AWB’s Jocelyn McCabe at (360) 943-1600.

 

Sixty-two candidates seek AWB’s endorsement
AWB is endorsing candidates, post-primary, for state legislative races.Here are their responses to AWB’s candidate survey. More than 60 candidates responded to date and more are expected.AWB will use the survey responses during candidate interviews Sept. 3–18.Members can use AWB’s Elections ’08Web site to communicate to new candidates and incumbents running for office by visiting the endorsements page. Please encourage candidates in your district to respond to the survey and to be on record on key issues facing the business community. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.

 

Coming Tuesday: Rob McKenna candidate video on Elections ’08
A candidate video featuring Attorney General Rob McKenna will be available for viewing Tuesday on AWB’s Elections ’08 Web site. As part of our ongoing election coverage, you can also view videos from Gov. Chris Gregoire from former Sen. Dino Rossi. New videos from other statewide candidates will be added in the days and weeks leading up to the general election on Nov. 4.

 

AWB joins other business, disability rights groups in supporting federal ADA amendments
Mirroring the actions of our national counterparts the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers, AWB again teamed up with the Washington Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, Disability Rights Washington and the Developmental Disabilities Council to encourage Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to support the federal ADA Amendments Act. This bipartisan bill provides important protections for disabled workers while clarifying the definition of disability and helping employers and employees better understand their rights and responsibilities under the law. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

 

L&I Previews 2009 Workers’ Compensation Tax Rates
This morning at Department of Labor & Industries headquarters, the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee heard a presentation on the indicated workers’ comp rates for 2009. The “indicated” rates are the break-even points between projected expenses and income next year. The indicated rates for 2009 are a 1.8 percent increase in the Accident Fund (employer-paid), a 12.3 percent increase in the Medical Aid Fund (employer/employee split) and a 7 percent increase in the Supplemental Pension Fund (employer/employee split).This amounts to an overall indicated rate increase of 6.3 percent. The indicated rates are not always the proposed or adopted rates — the rate proposal will be filed on Sept. 17 and after a round of public hearings, the 2009 rate will be adopted on Nov. 26. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

 

GMA litigation and appeals potential still on table in land use/climate change discussion
During the last legislative session, AWB, along with a wide variety of other stakeholders, opposed adding a new goal and planning requirement for “climate change” to our state’s Growth Management Act. One of the primary concerns with SB 6580, which initially added these new requirements, was increased litigation and appeals of local governments land use decisions. AWB and other interested parties convinced the Legislature to take a more constructive approach, which resulted in the current DCTED Land Use Climate Change Workgroup. Unfortunately, certain members of this workgroup, including legislators, want to continue last year’s fight over this issue and add a new goal and planning requirements for climate change to the GMA. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.

 

Transportation Committee meeting on Aug. 26
The AWB Transportation Committee will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 1-3 p.m. at AWB. The meeting is necessary to review and make a recommendation on Initiative 985 and to prepare our legislative proposals for the board of directors’ approval. For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.

 

Mark your calendar: Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on Aug. 26
AWB’s Climate Change Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at AWB. Jay Manning, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, and Juli Wilkerson, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, will discuss the Western Climate Initiative’s design recommendations for a cap and trade program; the Climate Action Team’s greenhouse gas emissions action items; the greenhouse gas emission reporting rule; and other climate-related efforts, including possible legislation for 2009. For more information, contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.

AWB Energy Committee meeting on Aug. 27
The AWB Energy Committee will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 9-11 a.m. at AWB. Agenda items will include final discussion and adoption of AWB’s legislative agenda and Energy Legislative Objectives. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.

 

AWB’s Immigration Reform Task Force to meet Sept. 8
Following last week’s successful discussion on federal and state level immigration reform issues, the AWB Immigration Reform Task Force has set its next meeting for September 8, 10 a.m.-noon, at AWB. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

 

Health Care Committee meetings on Sept. 8 and 11
The AWB Health Care Committee will be meeting on Sept. 8, 1-3 p.m., at AWB. Topics include an update on the work of the AWB UI Subcommittee on Conformity as well as discussion of the proposed rules addressing the recent court decision on voluntary quits. The Health Care Committee also meets on Sept. 11, 9-11 a.m. at AWB. Agenda topics include a report from the subcommittee on health reform issues. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600.

 

Help ESD test employer tax reporting software
The Employment Security Department is developing software to assist employers in reporting corporate officer exemptions for the purpose of payment of UI taxes.As of Jan. 1, employers will be required to pay UI taxes for all corporate officers who utilize UI benefits at some point during the year.All employers will have the opportunity to exempt corporate officers from consideration of UI taxes, but only prior to the Jan. 1 deadline. ESD is asking for volunteers to test the software for them during the month of September and report back any issues, problems or recommendations. If you are interested in volunteering to test the software, contact Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600.

 

AWB’s Annual Manufacturing Summit: What Washington makes, makes Washington
Join us on Oct. 29 at the Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center for a forum on manufacturing issues and ideas. Take part in developing the legislative, regulatory and economic agenda to help advance the interests and purpose of manufacturers in Washington. Issue panels and discussions will include workforce training and development, tax and fiscal policy, economic development, health care, employment law and much more. Keep checking Upcoming Events at http://www.awb.org/ for more information.

 

Improve your knowledge and skills in the field of safety
AWB and Sedgwick CMS have jointed together to sponsor a Safety Academy for all AWB members at no charge. This program offers an opportunity for you to obtain Certified Safety Coordinator status upon completion of seven required classes and five electives. Click here for more information and to download a brochure and view the schedule of classes nearest to you. Or, contact Bob Meyer with any additional questions.

 

Feds Add Another Option for I-9 Employment Verification
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that the new U.S. passport card, which began issuing July 14, may be used as a valid “List A” document to complete the I-9 form during the employment citizenship eligibility verification process.The card may also be used by employers participating in the federal “E-Verify” program. The passport card is used for land and sea entry between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. For more information, please contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

 

Fast Facts on Tuesday Next Week
AWB’s Fast Facts will be published on Tuesday, Sept. 2 due to the Labor Day holiday.