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Home / Weekly Fast Facts - 2008 / Budget passes with more than $2.4 billion deficit |
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Budget passes with more than $2.4 billion deficit |
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Written On: March 17, 2008 |
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Budget passes with more than $2.4 billion deficit
The 2008 legislative session ended Thursday with Washington’s Senate and House of Representatives signing off on a budget that spends $230 million extra and leaves $835 million in the bank. Transferring money into the general fund from other accounts, primarily the convention and trade center account and the education legacy trust account, created the higher reserves. The drawdown from the education trust account adds to the projected deficit in that perennially deficit-ridden designated fund. Shortfalls in the education account impose pressure on the general fund, so there’s no joy in the slight reserve boost. More important is the anticipated $2.4 billion deficit for the coming biennium. There’s just no way around it: the reserves are inadequate, the spending too high, and next year’s budget outlook is ugly. For more information, see www.olympiabusinesswatch.com/2008/03/house-and-senat.html. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.
Greenhouse gas bill may dictate how many miles you drive
Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed HB 2815, a bill related to greenhouse gas emissions and “green-collar” jobs. AWB strongly opposes Section 8 of this bill, which addresses transportation and might lead to mandatory restrictions on miles driven by Washington state residents. In a letter sent last week to the governor, AWB President Don Brunell asked for a veto of Section 8, stressing that the economic viability of our state depends on our citizens’ ability to move freely between the home and the workplace. This is especially true for those who live in rural areas and have no choice but to drive to work, Brunell said. Unfortunately, the governor chose to ignore AWB’s concerns and signed the bill with Section 8 intact.
AWB urges governor to veto key provision of GMA
Today, AWB President Don Brunell wrote Gov. Gregoire (link to letter as PDF document) requesting that she veto Section 2 of ESSB 6580, which addresses the impact of climate change through the Growth Management Act. Section 2 directs the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to “develop and provide counties and cities with a range of advisory climate change response methodologies, a computer modeling program, and estimates of greenhouse gas reductions … “ Section 2 will create de-facto CTED rules and regulations that could provide the foundation for climate change-related land-use appeals to the Growth Management Hearings Boards. Such appeals and litigation have hindered responsible land use planning, adversely impacted private property rights, limited the supply of buildable land and had an adverse affect on affordable housing in Washington. Brunell also highlighted problems with a provision that, in conjunction with E2SHB 2815, aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled. Brunell pointed out that this one-size-fits-all approach would unfairly impact citizens in rural areas and have a negative impact on the state’s economy. The House passed the amended bill by a vote of 58-35; the Senate concurred by a vote of 30-18 and sent the bill to the governor for signature. The governor has until April 2 to take action on the bill.
AWB urges Air Force leadership to reconsider award of aerial refueling tanker to Airbus
AWB is deeply disappointed that the Pentagon has awarded the $40 billion aerial refueling aircraft contract to Airbus and Northrop-Grumman Corp. In a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force co-signed by the heads of 22 local chambers of commerce, Brunell urges reconsideration of the decision. “The announcement on March 1 shocked many of us because we’d fought hard not only to expedite the decision-making for the aerial tanker replacement but strongly felt that, with Boeing’s technology based on years of success with the existing KC135s and the fact that it is currently building KC767 tankers for Japan and Italy, it made sense to select Boeing,” he wrote.
Paid Family Leave pushed on to 2009
Unable to agree on a source of funds for the Paid Family Leave benefits established last year, and unable to agree on an implementation bill vesting a state agency with the legal authority to operate the program, the Legislature instead deferred to the budget process to appropriate start-up funds for a computer system necessary to run the program and implied theoretical legal authority for the Employment Security Department to begin administering the program. Otherwise, the final shape of the program will not emerge until next year. For more information, see www.olympiabusinesswatch.com/2008/03/paid-family-lea.html. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org. AWB’s Education and Training Committee meeting tomorrow
Tomorrow AWB’s Education and Training Committee will meet on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the State Board of Education’s upcoming meeting on their proposal for the third-year math requirement. Contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.
Wal-Mart shows way to cut prescription drug costs
Here’s more evidence that the real solutions to spiraling health care costs are within the private sector: Wal-Mart’s national $4 generic prescription drug program has saved Americans more than $1 billion since it began in 2006. At Wal-Mart pharmacies, all customers — insured or uninsured — can get prescriptions filled for 361 of the most commonly prescribed generic medications used for treating a wide range of medical conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. The cost: four bucks. In Washington alone, Wal-Mart has saved its customers more than $11 million on prescription drug costs. Way to go, Wal-Mart!
OSHA 10-hour certification course
Bring yourself up to date on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held April 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. To register and or to get additional information, go to www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
AWB wage-and-hour law seminar coming April 22
Unfortunately, even minor mistakes or small misinterpretations of wage-and-hour laws can lead to major problems. When it comes to something as important as employee wages, you know you can’t make assumptions and hope you’re right. Don’t miss this seminar! For more information, go to www.awb.org/events/wage.asp, or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org to register.
Pre-order your new federal employment poster
On Jan. 28, President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which changes the FMLA law to include additional leave for military families. The Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has released a temporary FMLA Military Family Leave poster Insert (Section 585A) for Military Family Leave, meant as a temporary mandatory posting only.
The release of the New Federal FMLA Poster with amended FMLA/NDAA 2008 revised poster language won’t be available until sometime after April 11, after the final ruling.
Employers will be required to update their employment postings upon the release of this notice. Before the U.S. Department of Labor releases its final FMLA posting, you can download a temporary Military Family Leave notice here. The Department of Labor recommends you display this poster in tandem with the current required FMLA poster until a permanent version is available. To pre-order your new federal poster, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.
Have your company’s contribution to community service recognized!
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 at www.awb.org/services/awards/csaawards.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 JenniferC@awb.org.
Let the Market Dictate the Miles You Drive — See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org
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