AWB to hold regional board meetings, legislative candidate interviews Sept. 3-18
This week, members of AWB’s Governmental Affairs staff will begin holding regional meetings and candidate interviews in Spokane, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Vancouver, Tacoma, Everett and Bellevue. 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.

We value your input: AWB communications audit online survey
Watch your e-mail inbox later this week for an invitation to participate in an AWB online survey. AWB is conducting an audit of its communications practices and materials. As an AWB member, you will be asked to give us your thoughts on the association’s print and electronic collateral, including the Web site, magazine (Washington Business), blog (Olympia Business Watch) and this e-newsletter (Fast Facts). Responses will be used to evaluate AWB’s communications efforts and inform the development of a new communications plan. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts with us.

Send your debate questions for AWB’s 19th Annual Policy Summit
What would you ask the candidates for the state’s top elected offices? AWB needs your input for the candidate debates at Semiahmoo later this 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, e-mail AWB’s director of communications, Jocelyn McCabe. The gubernatorial debate is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. 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.

AWB endorsement sought by 62 candidates
AWB is endorsing candidates, post-primary, for state legislative races. You can read their responses to AWB’s candidate survey; more than 80 candidates responded out of more than 130. AWB will use the survey responses during candidate interviews Sept. 3-18. Members can use AWB’s Elections ’08 Web site to communicate with 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.

This week in Olympia Business Watch
Get the latest take on Washington politics and related news from around the country on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch. Recent posts include thoughts on the New York Legislature’s adjournment without passing a Paid Family Leave bill and Chicago’s tax on bottled water. The revenue is trickling in — but it’s not nearly enough to balance the city’s budget shortfall.

Stormwater permit conference call on Sept. 4
The AWB Water Quality Committee will host a conference call this Thursday, Sept. 4, from 1-3 p.m. to discuss the Industrial Stormwater General Permit or ISWGP. Approximately 1,200 businesses in the state that discharge stormwater are required to comply with the conditions of this permit, which are complex, confusing, costly to implement and can lead to expensive litigation if the requirements are not followed exactly. Environmental organizations have been capitalizing on the complexities of the ISWGP and are using the permit as a money-making machine by filing numerous notices of intent to sue, which more often lead to large cash settlements rather than proceeding to court.

The Washington State Department of Ecology has formed an advisory committee that will soon begin developing the next iteration of the ISWGP. AWB is participating in the advisory committee in an effort to improve compliance with the permit and simplify its requirements. We need to hear from our members regarding what issues are most important to them. If your company or client has an Industrial Stormwater General Permit, make plans to participate in the Sept. 4 conference call. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 for more information and the call-in number.

Biz Fair 2008 is this Saturday, Sept. 6
Find small business help in an easy atmosphere at the 12th Annual Washington Small Business Fair. This free event offers valuable information and counseling from business experts and staff from federal and state government agencies. Biz Fair 2008 takes place on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Renton Technical College. Get information and training in one day and one place from local business experts, trade organizations and government agencies about how to create or expand a small business and how to navigate taxes and other government requirements. Choose from more than 40 seminars taught by business professionals on a wide variety of topics, including Web site design, business law, financing, marketing, and business planning. Best of all, Biz Fair is free, with plenty of free parking and no advance registration. Stay for the entire event or come for part of the day. For seminar topics and driving directions, visit http://www.bizfair.org/.

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 Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-noon, at AWB. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

UI Committee meeting set for Sept. 8
The AWB Unemployment Insurance Committee will be meeting at AWB on Monday, Sept. 8 from 1-3 p.m. 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. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600.  

Health Care Committee meeting on Sept. 11
The AWB Health Care Committee will meet 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 the 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, 2009, 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 this must be done prior to Jan. 1. ESD is asking for volunteers to test the system software and process instructions for them during the first few weeks of September and report back any issues, problems or recommendations. If you are interested in testing the ESD’s software and process for submitting the exemption forms or have questions about participating, please contact Donna Steward by Sept. 4.

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.

Applications now being accepted for Don Brunell Scholarship
AWB members with children or grandchildren in college or planning to attend college in 2009 are encouraged to apply for the 2009 Don Brunell Scholarship for Future Business Leaders. The scholarship was established by the AWB Board and funded by AWB members in honor of Don to inspire and aid Washington’s future business leaders. Recipients may receive up to $2,000. The scholarship is targeted to undergraduate, graduate or career/vocational students currently pursuing or who intend to pursue a course of education that will lead to a degree or certification in business from any public or private university, community or technical college or private career school. In 2008, four scholarships were awarded for a total of $2,500.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2009 school year is Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. Scholarships will be announced and awarded on or about Jan. 15, 2009. For complete details on eligibility, application packet and instructions to complete the application, please contact the scholarship administrator, Mike Hudson.

AWB’s Annual Manufacturing Summit: What Washington makes, makes Washington
Join us on Wednesday, 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. The agenda includes: 2008 State of the State of Manufacturing Report and Survey from Ball State University; 2008 Manufacturing Report Card, “How can Washington get an A grade?”; manufacturing sales and use tax exemption; updates on employment law, environmental and health care issues; workforce training and development; export opportunities; and much more! To register, contact Jennifer Costello at (800) 521-9325 or click here.

Washington’s petroleum industry featured in Washington Business magazine
In the last few days, we’ve seen a quarter of our nation’s domestic crude oil supply shut off because of Hurricane Gustav. Read more about Washington’s own petroleum industry and how critical it is to our state’s own economy and way of life in the most recent issue of Washington Business magazine. To request a copy of the magazine, contact J-Anne Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600.

Healthy Worksite Summit
As the direct and indirect costs of poor employee health continue to grow, employers must develop strategies and utilize tools to reverse this trend. The 22nd Annual Healthy Worksite Summit will help your organization develop new programs, revitalize an existing program and share best practices that will motivate and sustain a healthy and productive work environment. The summit is on Oct. 1-2 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and on Oct. 3 at the Deaconess Health and Education Center in Spokane. For more information, please visit the Association of Washington Cities online.

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
Last week, 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, and the 2009 rate will be adopted on Nov. 26. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

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 Service has announced that the new U.S. passport card, which it 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, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.