Climate legislation would hit us in the wallet — BIG TIME
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently calculated that the impacts of the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill (S.2191) would nearly double the natural gas costs Americans pay. EIA projects natural gas prices would go from $11 per MMBTU to $19 MMBTU under the legislation Congress will consider starting in June. On a national level, the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Council for Capital Formation estimate the legislation, which sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gases 63 percent by 2050, would reduce the U.S. gross domestic product by $210 billion per year by 2020 and create employment losses of 1.8 million in 2020. To learn more, visit Olympia Business Watch.

Discussions on flood prevention open to businesses
Businesses in Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties impacted by last winter’s devastating floods can share their thoughts on how to prevent such losses and speed economic recovery during public meetings to be held later this month. On May 22 and 23, the Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District will be holding the first of several focus groups to discuss these issues and collect ideas from the business community on loss prevention and recovery. All businesses throughout the four counties may attend. The meetings will be held from 1:30 pomp, to 5 p.m. on May 22-23 (the sessions will be the same each day so you need attend only one of the meetings), at the Grays Harbor EDC (506 Duffy Street, Aberdeen). The EDC asks that participants RSVP to (360) 532-7888 for the Disaster Recovery Project, so they can ensure enough seating for participants.

Property tax on Senate Ways and Means Committee’s agenda at Kennewick meeting
The Senate Ways and Means Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on May 8 at the Benton County Justice Center (7122 West Okanogan Place, Kennewick). The meeting combines a work session with discussion of legislative session revenue highlights, a Ways and Means staff property tax presentation, discussion with local officials, and a public hearing with opportunities for comment on property tax issues.

AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting coming to Spokane on May 21-22
Don’t miss AWB’s Annual 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 AWB’s Community Service Awards. To register, please contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or go here to register online

Proposed heat-related illness rule unnecessary
L&I’s proposed heat-related illness rule is unnecessary and will burden employers with costly training and paperwork that will have little or no positive benefit in reducing illness and injuries. The rule is especially onerous for agriculture and the construction industry. Even L&I’s Small Business Economic Impact Statement confirms that the proposed rule will impose disproportionately higher costs for small businesses. AWB sees no compelling need for this rule and is urging L&I to reconsider this misguided effort. We submitted these and other comments to the department on the proposed rule last Friday. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Forklift safety: ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop on June 4
This seminar will teach experienced forklift operators how to conduct proper safety training for their employees. Upon completion, attendees will also receive a CD-ROM with a PowerPoint slide show and a PDF manual they can reproduce to use in training their own employees. Click here to register online, or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

AWB needs to hear your comments on the Puget Sound Partnership
At our last AWB Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee meeting on April 4, one of the issues discussed was the need for AWB members to review and comment on the draft Puget Sound Partnership Topic Forum Papers, which are now available for review here. The Puget Sound Partnership is soliciting input to help develop an action agenda. We will summarize and share your comments at the Sound Symposium on May 28 at the Washington Trade and Convention Center in Seattle. AWB members should review the draft topic papers and submit comments at least two days prior to the scheduled topic forum on each individual draft paper. Send your comments to AWB’s Chris McCabe at ChrisM@awb.org or Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org. Members are encouraged to attend the Sound Symposium in person, as well.

AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meeting May 14
The AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meets on May 14 in Olympia. Agenda items include an update from the Washington State Department of Ecology on the status and next steps of the Western Climate Initiative, the Climate Advisory Team and the governor’s climate legislation (HB 2815), which passed last session. Also on the agenda is possible legislation coming up in 2009. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Ecology chooses not to adopt stormwater permit
The Washington State Department of Ecology has decided not to adopt its proposed Industrial Stormwater General Permit. Instead, DOE will extend the current permit and convene an advisory group tasked with developing a new permit based on the needs of both the environment and business. This is good news for AWB and member companies who objected to the agency’s proposed permit due to its unnecessary high costs and complexities. The AWB Water Quality Committee will meet later this month to discuss next steps for the business community regarding the development of this permit. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.  

L&I posts fact sheets on new workplace leave laws
During the 2008 legislative session, AWB reported on the passage of two new paid family leave laws. One of these — granting a “reasonable period of leave” for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking — went into effect on April 1. The other one — granting up to 15 days of leave for spouses of armed services members called to deployment, on deployment, or on leave from deployment — goes into effect on June 12. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has published two useful fact sheets accessible by clicking here for the changes in domestic violence leave policy or here for changes in military family leave policy. For more information, please contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at KrisT@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

HR Essentials briefings on new legislation in 2008
Don’t miss HR Essentials where you’ll learn about the latest laws and regulations on employment, workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. The briefings will be held in Everett (May 28), Bellevue (May 28), Vancouver (May 29), Olympia (May 30), Yakima (June 4), Tri-Cities (June 4), Spokane (June 5) and Moses Lake (June 5). The cost to attend is $40 per person. This provides 2.5 (general) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information or to register, click here or contact AWB’s Connie Grande at ConnieGr@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

AWB Workers’ Comp Retro Program safety workshop on 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. For more information, click here 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 Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600. You can also register online by clicking here.

Department of Revenue rolls out streamlined sales tax tools and workshops
The Washington State Department of Revenue has developed a variety of tools to help retailers change the way they determine local sales taxes on shipped or delivered goods, as required by legislation that takes effect on July 1. The department has also scheduled a series of workshops around the state to help businesses encourage out-of-state sellers to begin collecting taxes on sales to Washington customers. (Note: These are workshops offered by the Department of Revenue, not AWB.) For more information on the tools and to register for one of the 20 workshops in May and June, please click here.

Still time to register for May 13 Washington Policy Center Annual Health Care Conference
Hurry now and register for the annual Washington Policy Center Health Care Conference on May 13 at the SeaTac Doubletree Hotel. The lunchtime keynote speaker will be Grace Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. Turner is a member of the National Advisory Council of Healthcare Research and Quality and a recent member of the President’s Medicaid Commission. She 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. David Hom, chairman of Value-Based Health Innovations, will also be on hand to discuss Value-Based Health Benefit Design, a concept that’s sweeping the country and capturing the attention of many employers. For more information or to register online, please click here or contact Anna Carroll at ACarroll@washingtonpolicy.org or (206) 937-9691.

2008 Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM now available
The 2008 Small Business Resource Guide is now available on CD-ROM. This invaluable resource contains critical tax information — including forms, instructions and publications — to small businesses. It also provides important information from a variety of government agencies, non-profit organizations and educational institutions. View it online at here, or order a copy of the CD at here or by calling (800) 829-3676.

Global Warming Debate Revives Talk of Nuclear Power - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org

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