Legislative session starts TODAY!
The 2008 legislative session is on! Big issues of major importance to business are on the agenda. AWB will be there, looking out for your bottom line. As always, feel free to contact AWB’s governmental affairs staff about these issues at (360) 943-1600. Stay up-to-date on the issues by making AWB’s Web site and blog regular stops in your Web-surfing routine. Bookmark them at www.awb.org  and www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.  You can also tune into AWB’s regular video broadcasts on YouTube at http://youtube.com/profile?user=AWBorg.  As the oldest and most influential business organization in the state, AWB is here to lobby for public policy that encourages economic growth, boosts productivity and creates jobs.

AWB pledges to work with governor on climate change legislation
AWB reaffirmed its pledge today to work with Gov. Chris Gregoire and legislators this session on climate change legislation. AWB President Don Brunell, who appeared with the governor last February when she unveiled the climate change initiative, participated at a Monday morning press conference in Seattle to reaffirm the business community’s commitment to work with the governor and Legislature to resolve these complicated issues. Brunell also delivered a letter to the governor outlining AWB’s concerns about the draft legislation introduced by the governor’s office. AWB’s concerns include: 1) Goals established for emissions reductions must remain goals, not limits. Setting mandatory limits now would be premature and potentially harmful to the economy. 2) Legislators must recognize Washington’s abundance of hydropower and the investments already made by industry. 3) Should the cost of compliance with climate change legislation outweigh tangible benefits, there must be a clear mechanism for amending or repealing the new regulations. Despite employers’ serious reservations about elements of the draft bill, Brunell said resolution might be possible before the session ends in March. For more details, visit www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=1596&z=2.

Union-backed legislation would silence employers
Labor unions are back with a bill that would seriously limit employers’ ability to talk to their employees about labor issues during unionization campaigns. This year, the unions call it “the worker privacy act.” Businesses more accurately term it “the employer gag bill.” It’s bad legislation, aimed at giving unions the upper hand in workplace organizing. Employees must hear the employer’s point of view before deciding to whether or not to unionize. For a good analysis of the bill, read Kris Tefft’s legal column in this month’s issue of Washington Business magazine.

10 ways the Legislature can support Washington business in 2008
The key questions our elected officials in Olympia must ask on every piece of legislation are: “Will this bill hurt the economy? Will it drive jobs and investments, or will it be another cost causing companies to question why they should do business in Washington?” This is why AWB President Don Brunell asks that all laws and regulations passed this session reflect a pro-business attitude. Among the 10 ways Brunell says that the Legislature can support companies of all sizes is by saving as much of the $1.2 billion surplus as possible; rejecting the unions’ so-called “worker privacy” act; exempting employers who already provide paid family leave from the new law; deferring health care changes until 2009; and maintaining progress on math in public schools. For more details and the full list, visit www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=1595&z=10. 

Don’t miss Olympia Business Watch
Olympia Business Watch is AWB’s blog reviewing the news and events shaping business and politics. Recent posts by AWB’s Communications and Government Affairs staff include: California Poised to Shake Up Health Care Debate, Working Families Tax Credit, Paying for Paid Family Leave, Boeing Added 5,000 Jobs in Washington, 9th Circuit Considers Employer Health Insurance Mandates, What Colorado May Learn From Washington About Collective Bargaining, Will the Governor Require a Public Vote on a Payroll Tax for Paid Family Leave? and Governor Calls for Budget Restraint. To see these and other posts, check out Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.
 
AWB Education Committee meeting tomorrow
AWB’s Education Committee meets tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Agenda items include discussion of bills before the Legislature and a presentation from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction on its legislative agenda. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.

Steve Hill to speak at Health Care Committee meeting
Steve Hill, Health Care Authority administrator and chair of the Health Insurance Partnership Board, will speak at the next Health Care Committee meeting Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. His subject will be HB 2537, which would modify provisions of the health insurance partnership. For more information, contact Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.

Arriving this week—the latest edition of Washington Business magazine!
The latest edition of Washington Business magazine, which includes our annual Legislative Preview, should be arriving in your mailbox this week. This exciting, in-depth edition also covers property tax reform, the Paid Family Leave bill, a Q&A with Institute for Systems Medicine CEO Lewis Rumpler, unionization, clean coal technology, a member profile on Sakuma Brothers Farms, high-tech server farms in Quincy, Washington Business Week and Blue Ray Technologies.

Make your voice heard at AWB’s Legislative Reception on Feb. 6
Where do your legislators stand on the issues that are important to you and your business? How will they deal with important issues like transportation, tax fairness, health care, workers’ comp and unemployment insurance? Learn about those issues and more at the AWB 2008 Legislative Reception on Feb. 6. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will feature Gov. Chris Gregoire as the lunchtime speaker. AWB’s board will meet in the afternoon. To register or become a sponsor, please see www.awb.org/events/legreception.asp  or contact Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.

Web access to health benefits information now available for AWB HealthChoice members!
AWB HealthChoice members now have access to secure, personalized health information including Explanation of Benefits forms (EOBs) and claims information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Current AWB HealthChoice members may self-register today for instant access. Registering to use this service is easy. Go to the “Members” section at www.awbhealthchoice.com  and follow the instructions provided. Individuals will need their member ID number (found on their Premera ID card) and other basic, personal identification information

Updated edition of Washington Employment Law Deskbook available now!
This is a key reference guide to legal issues facing Washington employers. The reference guide offers sample policies, solutions and easy-to-understand guidelines. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or Jenniferc@awb.org  to order your copy.

Washington’s minimum wage is the nation’s highest and still climbing
Our state’s minimum wage increased from $7.93 to $8.07 on Jan. 1. To ensure your company is in complete compliance with labor law requirements, be sure to order your updated state and federal wage poster set today. The complete set costs $49.99 (plus shipping and handling). Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Top 10 things Washington’s legislature can do to help the economy  - See this week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org.