It’s time to pay attention—legislative session starts Jan. 14
Happy New Year to all of our members! With the 2008 legislative session just around the corner, AWB is hard at work gearing up to represent the interests of Washington’s business community in the following areas: budget policy, paid family leave, property tax reform, business taxes and licensing fees, employment law and benefits, transportation, education and workforce training, land use and growth management, climate change, and health care. 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.

Beware of the “employer gag” bill—it strengthens unions and hurts employers
Contact your legislators and Gov. Gregoire today. Tell them to kill the so-called “Worker Privacy Act,” which should be labeled the “Employer Gag” bill. Last year, the Legislature called this odious piece of legislation the "Union Neutrality" bill. This year, they’re calling it the "Worker Privacy Act." No matter what they call it, it skews the rules to give union organizers the upper hand in the workplace. Backers claim that they need the measure to prohibit employers from forcing their religious and political views on their employees. The truth is that labor leaders want to make sure their organizing efforts face no employer opposition. This legislation may conflict with federal labor laws and the First Amendment. Even if it is overturned, this bill sends a loud and clear anti-business message to employers considering locating or expanding their businesses in Washington. For more information, please see Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com/2008/01/new-year-return.html  and contact Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org  or (360) 943-1600.

Insurance commissioner pushing for universal health care
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will be taking his universal health care plan to the Legislature in the coming weeks. Though bill numbers have yet to be assigned and the specifics nailed down, Kreidler laid out the broad outlines of his plan on a segment of Up Front with KING 5’s Robert Mak, viewable at www.king5.com/video/upfront-index.html?nvid=206072 . Kreidler wants to provide guaranteed catastrophic and major medical coverage, likely financed by a new payroll tax. AWB favors health care reform that relies on consumer choice and market competition. We’ll work to protect what’s currently working well — like the HealthChoice plan offered by AWB — and oppose expensive government-run “reforms” that are unproven and drive up costs for employers and consumers.

Mobile technology and RSS feeds enhance legislative tracking
Thanks to modern technology, you can now use your PDA or cell phone to track bill summaries, committee agendas and meeting schedules for the 2008 Washington legislative session. You can also find your legislator and search for bill sponsors active in the current biennium. RSS feeds are also available, allowing you to track a number of bills through your RSS reader without visiting the Web page for each bill separately. The live feeds are updated with every action that is taken on a bill as it moves through the Legislature. For more information on mobile and RSS tracking, please see www.leg.wa.gov/legislature.

Workers’ comp rate holiday over, rates go up
Washington’s highest-in-the-nation minimum wage jumped to $8.07 per hour on Jan. 1. Workers’ compensation rates also grew and the Medical Aid Fund rate holiday ended, raising rates an average of 3.2 percent. This represents an average 4.5 percent decrease in the Accident Fund premium, an average 10.5-percent increase in the Medical Aid Fund, and an average 17.1 percent increase in the supplemental pension fund. Actual rates vary by industry class and are available at www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/RatesRisk/Check/default.asp . For more information, contact Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org  or (360) 943-1600.
 
Washington’s minimum wage is the nation’s highest and still climbing
As mentioned above, 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) and is available from AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Brinks commute time/company vehicle issue moving toward session
AWB brought you news of the Stevens v. Brinks Home Security case late last year. This October ruling stated that an employee’s commute time in a company vehicle must be paid under certain circumstances. Since the ruling, a coalition of industries affected by the decision has been meeting with labor union representatives and staff from the governor’s office and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries to assess options for clarifying the law. For general information about the decision see
http://www.awb.org/otherissues/Brinks Alert 12-3.pdf.  For more information about the status of the issue, contact Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org  or (360) 943-1600.

AWB/AOI exploring bi-state agenda
Last week, the senior staffs from the Association of Washington Business and Associated Oregon Industries met to explore developing a bi-state agenda on issues such as transportation, energy, climate change, workforce training, water issues and economic development. Find out more at AWB’s Board meeting on Feb. 6 in Olympia. For more information and to register, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.

Preparing students to meet the challenges of 2014 and beyond
The vitality of our state depends on ensuring that students are educated well enough to qualify for jobs that can support a small family—also known as family-wage jobs. A recent report, Improving the Odds: Preparing Washington Students for Family-Wage Jobs from the College and Work Ready Agenda (a coalition supported by the Partnership for Learning), highlights areas where Washington’s education system must improve so students can engage in a family-wage occupation by the year 2014. While education reform efforts have made improvements, this report shows that these efforts are not enough—students’ success depends on further efforts in diverse areas. To learn more, read the report at www.collegeworkready.org  or contact AWB’s Donna Steward at DonnaS@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600.

AWB Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee
The AWB Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet on Thursday Jan. 10, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Since AWB conference facilities will be undergoing renovation at that time, the subcommittee will meet at the Washington Association of Realtors’ building located at 504 14th Ave SE, Suite 200, in Olympia—just one block west of AWB. Please contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at ChrisM@awb.org  or (360) 943-1600 for necessary preparatory materials. If you are unable to attend in person, a teleconference option will be available. Please contact Linnea Ridenour at LinneaR@awb.org  or at (360) 943-1600 for the call-in number and pass code.

Employment Law Advisory Committee to meet Jan. 10
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries’ Employment Law Advisory Committee will meet Jan. 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at L&I’s Tacoma service location at 950 Broadway, Suite 200, in Tacoma. The agenda includes legislative topics related to wage-and-hour and industrial standards law, as well as meal and rest break issues and professional exemptions. Interested business owners, HR professionals and representatives are encouraged to attend this public meeting. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org  or (360) 943-1600.

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, visit www.awb.org/events/seminars/emergencyplanning.asp.  For more information, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

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.

Technology can improve health care access and affordability if given a chance - See this week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org.