TOP STORIES
AWB marks 20 years of the Policy Summit with 3-day gathering at Suncadia
Nearly 300 people representing business interests from throughout the state gathered last week at Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum for AWB’s 20^th annual Policy Summit. A line-up of speakers including former presidential adviser David Gergen, pollster John Zogby and Gov. Chris Gregoire helped attendees make sense of the precarious economy and where it might be headed. In case you missed it, check out the coverage on our blog, Olympia Business Watch, or stream portions of it to your computer via TVW. Thanks again to all the sponsors who helped make it possible. Be sure to mark next year’s event — Sept. 21-23, 2010 — on your calendar.


AWB honors leaders in Washington business
The Association of Washington Business made formal presentations of its 2009 Policy Summit awards last week to several individuals in recognition of their hard work to advance the state’s economic climate. The awards and recipients include:

• Jim Matson Award: State Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, for his uncompromising support of the business community.
• S. Fred Bruhn Award: Brad Carlson, former AWB board chairman and owner of Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, in recognition of his outstanding service to AWB while serving on the board of directors.
• Ron Gjerde Award: Tim Boyd, principal of The TSBG Group, for outstanding dedication to serving the business community.
• Heavy Lifter Awards: These awards are presented to people who go above and beyond the call of duty in support of the business community and offer assistance to AWB Government Affairs staff. The 2009 recipients are:

o Ron Bueing, Deloitte, Seattle
o Don Conant, Valley Nut & Bolt Co., Olympia
o Greg Hanon, COMMUNICO, Sumner
o Brian Holtzclaw, McNaughton Group, Edmonds
o Tom Hosea, KeyBank, Tacoma
o Sandy Mackie, Perkins Coie, Seattle
o Llewellyn Matthews, Northwest Pulp & Paper Association, Bellevue
o Bruce Reid, Microsoft, Redmond
o Pat Schneider, Foster Pepper PLLC, Seattle
o Tayloe Washburn, Foster Pepper PLLC, Seattle

Photos from the Summit and the awards presentation are also available online.

AWB endorses candidates, stays neutral on I-1033
AWB board members voted to endorse candidates in two races for the state Legislature at last week’s Policy Summit, and agreed to remain neutral on Initiative 1033, which would limit the growth of state and local revenue. The association adopted the recommendations of the Government Affairs Committee by voting to endorse David Taylor of Moxee in the race for state representative in the 15^th Legislative District, and Terry Nealey of Dayton, who is running for state representative in the 16^th Legislative District. The board voted to officially adopt a neutral position on I-1033 after listening to arguments from initiative supporter Tim Eyman and opponent Michael Vaska. In May, the AWB board voted to endorse Susan Fagan of Pullman in the race for state representative in the 9^th Legislative District.


Washington state’s business climate rates high in national studies
Washington state’s business climate received high marks last week in two popular rankings. Washington is the second-best state in the country in which to do business, according to Forbes magazine’s “Best States” rating of competitiveness (up from last year’s third-place score). The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation also moved the Evergreen state up three spots this year to ninth in its 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index. AWB President Don Brunell said the ratings are encouraging, particularly when so many neighboring states are raising taxes and fees to balance their own budgets —but that important work remains to be done here in Washington state. “We are committed to building upon our strengths and making sure our employers stay in Washington and create jobs. We encourage Gov. Gregoire and our legislators to work with us on our weak points. Our unemployment insurance, regulatory and workers’ comp costs are still too high. Those are big factors employers consider when looking to grow or locate a business in our state.” Read Brunell’s full statement on the Forbes ranking here.


EPA finalizes greenhouse gas reporting rule
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule. The rule will require approximately 10,000 facilities in the U.S. emitting 25,000 tons of GHG emissions or more per year to monitor and report their annual emissions by March 31, 2011. A number of key changes were made during the public comment period that are favorable to businesses, including reducing the number of facilities required to report and allowing facilities to exit the program after five consecutive years below the 25,000-ton threshold. A facility can also cease reporting if it shuts down the GHG-emitting portions of its operations. AWB has advocated for many years that climate change policies, including reporting requirements, should be adopted at a national level to avoid putting Washington state businesses at a competitive disadvantage. AWB will pursue changes in state statute next session in an effort to make Washington’s GHG reporting rule consistent with the new federal rules. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


2010 Competitiveness Redbook available now
The 2010 edition of the WashACE Competitiveness Redbook is available now from AWB. This handy book offers a look at more than 50 key indicators of Washington state’s business climate, comparing it to the rest of the nation. Want to know how Washington stacks up on health care cost, job growth, housing affordability, access to education? Data on those topics and many more can be found in the Redbook. The book is sponsored by AWB along with the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy, Washington Realtors and the Washington Roundtable. Order your copy online for $10 (member price); discounts also available on large quantities. Or, contact AWB’s J-Anne Nepomuceno.


AWB Institute is Podcasting
Now you can get the latest information about the state’s manufacturing sector delivered directly to your computer or MP3 player. The AWB Institute has launched a new podcast series aimed at giving listeners a better understanding of some of the issues relevant to today’s manufacturing economy. In the inaugural podcast, host Mike Hudson is joined by Patrick Woods of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to discuss Lifelong Learning Accounts, a new workforce training tool for Washington employers. Click here to download the podcast.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Lawmakers hold health care town hall meeting
State Reps. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Habor, and Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, will host a town hall meeting on health-care solutions Monday, Oct. 5 in Burlington. The lawmakers, who are members of the state House Health Care and Wellness Committee, will share their solutions for the state and listen to the views of those in attendance. AWB took a leading role in forming Employers for Quality Health Care, a coalition of statewide chambers of commerce and business organization striving for sensible reform of the nation’s health care system. We encourage members to attend and share their opinions. The meeting is Oct. 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Burlington-Edison High School, Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington.


L&I to hold hearings on proposed 7.6 percent rate increase
Last week, the state Department of Labor and Industries announced a proposed 7.6 percent hike in workers’ compensation taxes for 2010, prompting AWB to call on lawmakers to reform the system. Beginning late next month, the agency will host a series of six public hearings on the proposal and AWB encourages members to attend and share their comments. A number of common-sense reforms are needed in the state’s workers’ comp system, according to AWB President Don Brunell, including creating a settlement option for complex or long-term claims. Final 2010 rates will be adopted in late November. The hearings are scheduled for:

• Tukwila: Oct. 27, 1 p.m., L&I Office, 12806 Gateway Drive
• Tumwater: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., L&I Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
• Vancouver: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia St.
• Bellingham: Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Bellingham Quality Inn, 100 E. Kellogg Road
• Spokane: Oct. 30, 9 a.m., Spokane Airport Ramada, 8909 W. Airport Dr.
• Richland: Oct. 30, 2 p.m., Richland Hampton Inn, 486 Bradley Blvd.


Dept. of Commerce to hold public hearings on GMA Administrative Guidelines Update
The Department of Commerce is holding a series of public meetings on changes to its rules for providing local governments with guidance on Growth Management Act compliance and implementation. The meetings will be held: Wednesday, Sept. 30 in Moses Lake from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at Big Bend Community College, ATEC Building; Thursday, Oct. 1 in Olympia from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at General Administration Building, Auditorium; and Friday, Oct. 2 in Everett 9 – 10:30 a.m. at Everett Community College, Whitehorse Hall. E-mail your comments or mail them to Washington State Department of Commerce, Growth Management Services, Attn: WAC Update, 906 Columbia St. SW, Olympia, WA 98504-2525. Click here for more information and to view the proposed changes. The Department of Commerce will accept comments on the proposed rule through Friday, Oct. 2.


OTHER NEWS
Apply now for Best Companies for Hourly Workers list
Register now for the Best Companies for Hourly Workers list. Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother will honor companies dedicated to creating and using best practices to support hourly workers. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 16. Winners will be highlighted in the Working Mother 2010 issue. Any company with a minimum of 500 employees in the United States, 50 percent of whom are nonexempt, may apply.


State needs your input reforming natural resource management
Washington state natural resource agency directors, along with policy and budget staff for Gov. Chris Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, offered state elected officials, tribes, the public, businesses, agency employees, and local governments a set of ideas for reforming the state’s natural resource management. Their ideas are found in Ideas to Improve Management of Washington’s Natural Resources. Submit comments through Wednesday, Oct. 28. Members of the business community are strongly encouraged to share their thoughts.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
OSHA 10-hour certification course in DuPont Oct. 15-16
Get current on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held both days from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the State Farm Education Center in DuPont. At completion of the course, you will receive an official course completion card from the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA. This card will be useful during an inspection, as it demonstrates your efforts and commitment to voluntary compliance with all OSHA standards and regulation. At the completion of this course you will be able to help your employees identify, avoid, prevent and control hazardous situations in the workplace. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Developing Issues in Workers’ Comp Webinar, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
Workers’ comp premiums in our state are paid by the hour and in this economy, reported hours are way down. And in this volatile market, trust fund reserves are down. Yet Washington continues to offer some of the highest workers’ comp benefits in the country. Where will this lead? Join us for a 60-minute Webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m., to look at the economic and benefit issues that will drive next year’s workers’ comp premiums and the top reform issues employers are expected to seek in the Legislature to keep our workers’ comp costs under control. Visit the AWB Web site for more information or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Understanding the Resale Certificate Webinar
Effective Jan. 1, the resale certificate will be replaced with a reseller permit issued by the Washington State Department of Revenue. Reseller permits are free and will be issued to businesses that make wholesale purchases, including qualified contractors. The permits allow businesses to purchase items or services for resale without paying retail sales tax. Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m., for this 60 minute webinar to learn what a permit is, how to get a reseller permit and receive answers to all of your questions and concerns of the process. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Brunells co-chair USO annual gala
AWB President Don Brunell and his wife, Jeri, are the honorary chairs for this year’s USO gala on Friday, Oct. 9 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. “We are honored. The USO is important to anyone in uniform away from home,” Brunell said. “It helps families and our military bridge the gap between home and their duty assignments which often are lonely times.” For information, please call 206.246.1908, ext. 101 or Sam@usopsa.org.


THEY SAID IT
“We don’t like others running our lives. We’re different from Canada.”
– David Gergen, former presidential adviser, speaking to AWB members last week about the rising tide of anger toward the Obama administration and Democratic-controlled Congress at the 20^th annual Policy Summit at Suncadia Resort.


This Week's President's Perspective: Bad times expose fatal flaws in workers’ comp system