Public now supports offshore drilling and opening ANWR for oil and gas production
The latest polling shows a dramatic change in public attitudes toward offshore drilling and for oil exploration in a tiny portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Here are the numbers: On June 17, a Rasmussen poll reported that 67 percent favor offshore drilling while 18 percent oppose it; 64 percent believe it will lower prices. A Reuters/Zogby poll on June 18 found that 60 percent of respondents favor offshore drilling while 40 percent oppose. A third poll on the issue conducted by Gallup on June 19 concluded that 57 percent favor drilling in off-limits areas (including ANWR), while 41 percent oppose. Pew Research Center on July 2 also found the same numbers as Gallup. Specifically, on drilling in a tiny portion of ANWR, 50 percent are in favor. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama and those who rail about energy independence — yet oppose legislation to help increase domestic supplies as a bridge to new alternatives — need to be watchful. The public is tired of high energy prices. If counterproductive energy policies, like those of Obama, become law, look for skyrocketing electric bills as well as gasoline, diesel and natural gas. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

ESD emergency rules on voluntary quits decision
The Employment Security Department will issue emergency rules to address the recent court rulings on the Spain and Batey challenges to our current voluntary quit law. These rules will be effective by the end of July. The ESD expects to begin the formal rule-making process for the permanent rules within the next 30 days. At a minimum, the emergency rules need to be modified to include clearer definitions of terms within the emergency rules that describe “unreasonable hardship,” “reasonably prudent,” “reasonable person” and “compelling nature.” The committee will devote a work session to developing comments on the final rules likely in September. Contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or e-mail her at DonnaS@awb.org.

Port of Vancouver booming: Costs of doing business play major role
According to The Columbian, the rising price of gas, falling dollar and changes to Chinese export laws have U.S. companies taking a second look at outsourcing manufacturing to other countries. However, it is important to remember that, even when most of the manufacturing work takes place the U.S., our manufacturers depend upon raw material imports from other nations. In all, 7,900 Clark County jobs and $3.1 billion in the local economy are directly tied to imports, exports and international partnerships. Most importantly, economics and free trade — not government rules and regulations — drive change and prosperity. The welcome export trend is helping manufacturing jobs in Clark County, and that is particularly good news for our state. While that is comforting for the moment, the cost of doing business drives decisions. If Washington is not competitive cost-wise, jobs and manufacturing plants will move elsewhere. That’s why AWB and the Washington Roundtable have reinvigorated our partnership in the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy. The cost of doing business in Washington is generally high. Our lawmakers and government leaders in Olympia, as well as our state’s Congressional delegation, ought to keep that in the front of their minds because no one will locate in Washington unless they can pay bills, make bank loan payments and return some dividends to shareholders. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

IRS increases mileage rates through end of year
The Internal Revenue Service increased the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. The rate increased eight cents to 58.5 cents per mile for all business miles driven from July 1 through Dec. 31. The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by eight cents to 27 cents per mile. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations remains at 14 cents a mile. The new rates are contained in Announcement 2008-63 on the optional standard mileage rates. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. For more information, visit the IRS online.

Don’t forget about the death tax
Washington’s state Supreme Court tossed out our state’s death tax only to have the governor and Legislature re-enact it. Congress passed legislation and started phasing down the federal estate tax with 2011 as the target date for fully eliminating it. Unfortunately, if Congress and the new president take no action, the federal death tax goes back into effect IMMEDIATELY in 2011. The death tax was not an issue in our governor’s race and the presidential race until Sen. John McCain spoke on the issue. McCain opposes the total elimination of the estate tax and proposes that it be reinstated at the 15-percent level. Sen. Barack Obama counters with a whopping 45 percent rate. Some may think this is a tax that only a few wealthy people will pay, so it doesn’t matter what the percentage is, but that wealth is creating more than 50 percent of the jobs in this country and most of the country’s job growth. Largely, that wealth is in equipment, machinery, inventory, factories, stores and buildings that provide jobs — jobs that have the highest probability of staying in the U.S. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

Unions hope to gain power through 2008 election — Card check could make comeback
Employers must keep in mind that unions are getting out the vote and winning close elections. As a consequence, the legislative shift is in the unions’ favor even though their membership has declined over the years and shifted from the private to the public sector. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney sees the upcoming elections as “a mandate for a union agenda.” To aid their efforts, major unions have developed a “labor-neighbor” program to get their friends and neighbors to vote along with the rank and file. But private-sector employers and AWB members can make a difference. As we know from recent elections, even a few votes can affect the final outcome. Business can have the impact through BIPAC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Vote for Business, both endorsed by AWB. Remember, the unions’ goal is a filibuster-proof U.S. Senate with at least 60 Democratic senators where card check legislation will zoom through, making secret-ballot union organizing elections a thing of the past. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

Healthy Worksite Summit
As the direct and indirect health care costs of poor employee health continue to grow, employers must develop strategies and utilize tools to reverse this trend. The 22nd Annual Healthy Worksite Summit will help your organization develop new programs, revitalize an existing program, and share best practices that will motivate and sustain a healthy and productive work environment. The summit is on Oct. 1 and 2 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and on Oct. 3 at the Deaconess Health & Education Center in Spokane.
For more information, please visit the Association of Washington Cities online.

AWB’s annual GAC retreat to be held July 15-17
The annual Governmental Affairs Council Retreat will be held at Alderbrook Resort and Spa on Hood Canal. The retreat will begin with an informal gathering on Tuesday evening, July 15; run all day and into the evening on Wednesday, July 16; and conclude by noon on Thursday, July 17. You can make room reservations by calling Alderbrook Resort directly at (800) 622-9370. When you call, please indicate you are reserving a room in conjunction with AWB. Rooms are $177 per night for July 15 and 16. The retreat registration fee is $185. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande at (360) 943-1600 or ConnieGr@awb.org.

Be an AWB Policy Summit sponsor
AWB’s Policy Summit will be held on Sept. 24-26 at Semiahmoo Resort. As a sponsor, your company receives acknowledgement before, during and after the event in marketing materials, signage and in AWB’s Washington Business magazine. Display advertising opportunities are also available. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at JenniferD@awb.org or click here for more information.

AWB to hold regional board meetings in September
Don’t miss your chance to let AWB know what we can do for you! AWB’s annual round of regional board meetings are your chance to participate in the formation of the Association’s 2009 Legislative Agenda. Be sure to mark your region’s meeting on your calendar: Sept. 3 (Spokane), Sept. 4 (Kennewick), Sept. 5 (Moses Lake), Sept. 9 (Vancouver), Sept. 10 (Tacoma), Sept. 16 (Everett), and Sept. 17 (Bellevue). AWB will also conduct legislative candidate interviews following the board meetings. For more information, please contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at BonnieM@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Get up-to-date information on federal and state wage and hour issues
The Wage and Hour Handbook: A Guide for Washington State Employers (5th Edition) provides your company with the latest information on key issues that are essential to your company’s success and help you maintain a positive rapport with your employees. This book features example situations and coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, exemption status, calculating time and wages, record keeping, employment of minors, garnishments and much more. Each book comes with a searchable CD-ROM for quick access to specific topics. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or click here to order online.

Order your copy of the 2008 Washington Employment Law Deskbook
The 2008 Washington Employment Law Deskbook (17th Edition) is a key reference guide to legal issues facing Washington employers. The reference guide offers sample policies, solutions and easy-to-understand guidelines. Each book comes with a searchable CD-ROM for quick access to specific topics. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or click here to order online.

Pinning the blame on nature’s occasional fury - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org

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