Serious business – environmental legislation is moving fast!
Are you concerned about how legislation regarding climate change, stormwater, land use restrictions, chemical regulations, groundwater monitoring and product bans will affect your business? If so, you should request a copy of the Environmental Legislative Preview and make sure your voice is heard as soon as possible. Last week, the 2008 legislative session got off to a break-neck pace and this week promises even more debate on environmental legislation. To know more, please contact Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org  or Chris McCabe at ChrisM@awb.org.  You may also call AWB at (360) 943-1600 and speak with them by phone.

Invest in Washington’s future by fighting more WASL delays
The WASL affects more than just students, teachers, parents and legislators. The WASL—or rather, a student’s performance on the WASL—affects Washington’s economic and intellectual competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy. This is why AWB opposes Senate Bill 6540. This bill, which was introduced in committee today, would delay the requirement that students pass the reading and writing portions of the WASL in order to graduate. Last year, legislators postponed the math and science portions until 2013, while adding 18 new alternatives to the test. For the next five years many high school seniors may be graduating without the math and science needed to compete academically and professionally. Now that proponents of SB 6540 also want to delay the reading and writing portions of the test, our students are facing even more disadvantages as they enter college and/or the workplace after high school. For more information on how to help fight against SB 6540, please contact AWB’s Donna Steward at DonnaS@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.

Make your voice heard in this week’s online health care discussion
Do you have a great idea about how we can improve our health care system? Are there areas of the system that work well for you and other areas that don’t? Whatever your experiences and opinions, please share them with the Washington Senate, on January 22 and 23, via an electronic town hall meeting. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions, add comments, share stories and make suggestions on how to improve the delivery of health care in our state. Panelists will include Health & Long Term Care Committee Chair Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, members of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, and health care professionals. To participate, visit www.webdialogues.net/wasen/healthcare.  For more on how AWB is handling health care related issues, contact AWB’s Donna Steward at DonnaS@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.

Health care changes dominate legislative agenda
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is campaigning to reinstate his authority to review individual health benefit plan rates. Remember, not long ago that the individual market was in near collapse due to regulatory constraints that prohibited carriers from establishing rates that reflected costs within that market. According to a recent article in The Olympian, “The law changed 8 years ago when the legislature stripped away the power of the insurance commissioner in the individual insurance market because the insurance companies said without concessions, they were pulling out. They say it was just too cumbersome and expensive. The insurance companies got the concessions and now insure 250,000 people on individual insurance plans.” Likewise, the commissioner is campaigning for catastrophic health care coverage that kicks in once medical costs exceed $10,000 in a given year. This plan would lead to a new state employment tax, “probably 1 percent of gross pay for employees and a sliding scale of 2 percent to 5 percent for businesses, depending on their size,” according to the Everett Herald. For more information, please see: http://www.olympiabusinesswatch.com/2008/01/more-details-em.html  and/or contact AWB’s Donna Steward at DonnaS@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.

AWB working to simplify collection of local B&O taxes
Many of Washington’s cities impose business and occupation (B&O) taxes. Over the years, each city enacted its own definitions and tax classifications through various ordinances. This led to a complicated and confusing situation in which taxpayers must deal with differing interpretations of the tax laws from the state to the local level and among the cities. As a result, the legislature in 2003 required adoption of a model B&O ordinance by the state’s cities that impose a B&O tax (EHB 2030). Unfortunately, as it stands now, the law allows for unacceptable deviations and inconsistencies. AWB supports the immediate imposition of municipal B&O tax apportionment and collection administered by the Department of Revenue. This change will not only increase tax compliance, but it will also make our state friendlier for business. For more information, please contact AWB’s Amber Carter at AmberC@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.
 
Enhanced Drivers License/ID now available
Washington has made headlines by releasing the first ever Enhanced Driver License or ID card (EDL/ID) with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip. Unlike standard driver’s licenses, this cutting edge form of identification is an acceptable alternative to a passport for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea border crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. More than anything, Governor Gregoire sees the EDL/ID as an asset to trade and tourism between Washington and its closest Canadian neighbor. “Washington and B.C. have a long history of friendship and our shared border must permit the trade and tourism that supports our shared economy,” said the Governor. “We looked at the restrictions of the federal passport requirements and we came up with a solution that is secure, more affordable and allows more trade and tourism.” Since border restrictions tightened over the first of the year, thousands of people will surely opt for the EDL/ID, rather than paying more and waiting longer for a traditional passport. At this time, traditional forms of identification are still available and the EDL/ID program is voluntary. For more information, please see http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/edlget.html

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.

Emergency planning and disaster management seminar Feb. 26—is your business prepared?
Emergencies and disasters often strike when we least expect them. The best measure that all of us can take is be prepared. Attend AWB’s one-day seminar and learn how to prepare and apply survival plans to any type of disaster. For more information, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org  and see www.awb.org/events/seminars/emergencyplanning.asp.  

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 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.