May Revenue Collections Report shows slowdown
Every month, Washington’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council distributes the Revenue Collections Report. This report reliably measures our state’s economy and shows its effect on revenue. Unfortunately, today’s report did not bear happy news for Washington. According to the council, Washington’s “revenue growth slowed significantly” between April 11 and May 10, showing a 0.7-percent decline from the same time last year. They called this “the first year-after-year decline in Revenue Act receipts since March 2003.” The report also reveals a significant weakening in tax payments during the same collection period and a loss of 3,200 payroll jobs in March, taking Washington’s unemployment rate from 4.5 percent in February to 4.9 percent in March. Because of these and other factors that the council outlined in the report, it is highly unlikely that Washington will see an economic upturn in June. For more information, please download and read the report here. You can also follow AWB’s coverage of this issue on Olympia Business Watch.

 

Have you shared your thoughts on health care reform?
Throughout the 2008 legislative session, AWB highlighted a number of health care reform bills that would significantly alter health insurance coverage in Washington. Most of these bills proposed expansions of government involvement in administration, as well as new taxes to fund the programs. Now that the 2008 session has passed, legislators and stakeholders are diligently working on proposals in preparation for the 2009 session. Hoping to inform their proposals, AWB sent all employer members a survey last week that included questions related to these proposals. It is critical that our members respond to this survey so AWB can use these responses to actively engage in discussions with legislators and other stakeholders as they move forward. If you are an employer member of AWB and did not receive the 2008 AWB Health Care Reform Survey last week but would like to weigh in on these issues, please contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org to access the survey.

 

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 p.m. 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.

 

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.

 

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 Jennifer Costello at JenniferC@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Climate Action Team meets May 13
Washington’s Climate Action Team, lead by Washington State Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning and Community, Trade and Economic Development Director Juli Wilkerson, meets May 13 at 9:30 a.m. in Seattle to discuss actions to reduce emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases in the state. Implementation working groups have been formed to assist in this effort, focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiencies, green buildings, transportation, environmental permitting, forestry and agriculture. The CAT is also coordinating its work with the Western Climate Initiative, which is designing a market-based system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Western U.S. states and Canadian provinces. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

 

AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meeting May 14
The AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meets on May 14 in Olympia from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Washington State Department of Ecology and the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development will report on the status and next steps of the Western Climate Initiative, the Climate Action Team and the implementation of 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 AWB’s 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 tomorrow’s 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.