DON’T FORGET: TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY! Your vote is crucial! Vote on Nov. 4!
AWB members are strongly encouraged to get out the vote at the office and at home. Visit the AWB Election Web site for a list of our candidate endorsements — from the governor to the Legislature — as well as our positions on statewide ballot measures. You can also view videos of the candidates for statewide office, in their own words. Take a moment to consider what your vote will mean for the future of business in our state. If you’re voting by mail, locate your ballot, make your choices and mail it in time to count for the Nov. 4 election.

It all comes down to 60 Senate votes for union domination
Unions are spending millions to defeat U.S. Senate Republicans and replace them with Democrats who support replacing secret ballot elections with a card check process where union organizers circulate cards supporting unionization and stand over the workers’ shoulders while they fill them out.Then, BINGO, the union is in. Barack Obama supports the card check scheme while John McCain opposes it. If Obama wins, the only hurdle the unions have to clear now that President Bush is concluding his term is getting 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to stop a filibuster of their covetedcard check legislation. While the U.S. House of Representatives, firmly controlled by Democrats, has rubber-stamped the union card check legislation, the U.S. Senate has not been overcome a threat of a filibuster. Remember that on election day. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.

Boeing and machinists reach tentative deal
Boeing and its machinists union reached a tentative deal on a new four-year contract to settle the seven-week strike idling production lines.More than 27,000 workers walked off the job on Sept. 6. Boeing agreed to raise wages by a total of 15 percent over the life of the contract and pay bonuses totaling at least $8,000 to each worker during the first three years. According to the Associated Press, the strike cost Boeing an estimated $100 million a day in deferred revenue and production delays on the company’s 787 passenger jet. It was the union’s fourth strike against Boeing in two decades and its longest since 1995.

Washington hit hard by revenue drop
The Washington, D.C.-based Center for Budget and Policy Priorities confirmed that tax revenues in our state have plummeted in the past few months — something Washington’s Revenue Forecast Council confirmed, as well. According to the center, Washington is among 15 states with significant revenue drops between July and September. The state’s revenues are down by 11.3 percent. Raising taxes and fees to make up the difference would send our state into a tailspin, according to AWB President Don Brunell. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.

Cap and Trade 101 Webinar: Learn more about carbon trading
With concern over global warming in high gear, carbon trading and mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions are set to affect the way you live and do business. Last week, AWB offered an introductory presentation on cap and trade and the Western Climate Initiative’s far-reaching and potentially very expensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 100 AWB members participated in the presentation, in person and via the Internet. If you missed last Friday’s event, you can listen to a brief podcast with Grant Nelson to learn more about cap and trade and how AWB is working to make sure any carbon reduction schemes do not also reduce Washington’s business competitiveness.

PSP executive director at Nov. 12 Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee meeting
The Puget Sound Partnership’s long-awaited draft 2020 Action Agenda will be unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 6, on the PSP’s Web site. Accordingly, AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at AWB. PSP Executive Director David Dicks and Action Agenda Director Martha Neuman will walk AWB members through the proposed 2020 Action Agenda. Policy areas addressed by the Action Agenda include water quality and quantity, land use, toxics and possible new funding sources. Comments on the draft Action Agenda are due to the PSP by Thursday, Nov. 20. Following the Nov. 12 presentation, AWB will submit a unified set of comments in response to these proposals. Questions? Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.

AWB collaborates on regional small business forums
AWB is partnering with the Washington Policy Center on a series of small business forums to be held Nov. 12-20 in six locations around the state, including Spokane, Richland, Bellevue, Wenatchee, Tacoma and Vancouver. The forums will educate small business owners on the latest policy changes affecting their businesses. Attendees will learn about recent legislative changes and get a preview of the 2009 legislative session’s major issues. These small, informal gatherings represent one of the best chances for owners of small businesses to get their policy questions answered and gain the necessary knowledge to engage in public policy and decision making. Click here for information on times, dates and locations or contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.

Changes to disability laws expand requirements for employers
On Sept. 25, President Bush signed into law the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which amended the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to broaden the definition of “disability,” expand the law’s protections, and directly overturn several recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the field of disability law. These new changes become effective Jan. 1. The ADAAA sends an unmistakable message to employers and the courts that the concept of disability must be broadly rather than narrowly construed. This will affect employers as many more people will fall within the new definition of disability under the ADAAA. At the same time, Washington state has already established a more protective standard for disability employment rights under its Law Against Discrimination. It is crucial for employers to understand their responsibilities under both federal and state laws. Join us for a Web conference on Wednesday, Dec.10 to understand how these laws will impact your business. Click here to register or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 for more information.

Legislators to discuss workforce training at Nov. 6 Education and Training Committee meeting
AWB’s Education and Training Committee will meet on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m.-noon at K&L Gates (925 Fourth Ave., 29th floor, Seattle). Please note that the meeting has moved from Deloitte on the 33rd floor to K&L Gates on the 29th floor. Democratic and Republican lawmakers will discuss current proposals for basic education financing. The committee will also review the workforce training program and prepare for the 2009 session. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.

Rep. Hunter at Digital Goods Workshop, Friday, Nov. 7
The Digital Goods Work Group will meet from 9-11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 7 at AWB. Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, the Chair of the Legislative Digital Goods Task Force, to attend the meeting to discuss recent digital goods tax proposals in an attempt to reach consensus on potential legislation for 2009. Please share your concerns and suggestions on appropriate digital goods tax policy. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.

Best practices seminar for the Human Resources File Cabinet coming Nov. 19
Learn how to avoid fines, penalties and litigation by adopting “best practices” and maintaining proper employment records on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Bellevue’s Hilton Hotel. Register online or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

Counties and cites associations will discuss agenda at AWB Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting
The AWB Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at AWB to hear a presentation by the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Counties on their 2009 legislative agenda. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.

Employment Law Seminar: Hiring, managing and discharging employees
This one-day seminar on Thursday, Dec. 4 is a powerful tool that will help inform your key personnel on how to avoid legal traps and provide a solid understanding of changing laws and regulations in the employment area. Click here for a full agenda. To register, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

Lawmakers should examine impacts of minimum wage law - See this week's President's Perspective at http://www.awb.org