TOP STORIES
Boeing will build second 787 assembly line in South Carolina
Boeing announced last week that it will build a second 787 assembly line in Charleston, S.C. "Boeing's decision underscores the changing landscape of today's worldwide business climate," AWB President Don Brunell said in a statement issued shortly after the company's announcement. He added, "It is imperative that we redouble our efforts to lure new production lines and other companies to Washington and we will continue to do our part to make sure that happens." Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


House Democrats unveil health care reform bill while public support drops
U.S. House Democrats unveiled health care reform legislation last Thursday with sweeping new restrictions on the insurance industry and a form of the controversial public option to compete with private insurers. There was no official estimate of the total cost of the bill, which ran to 1,990 pages. The Congressional Budget Office said the price of additional coverage alone was slightly more than $1 trillion during a decade, omitting other items, including billions for disease prevention. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., whose vote is needed by Democrats to pass any health care legislation, dropped a bombshell when he said he would join Republicans in filibustering any bill with a public option.


Support slips for Dems health-care overhaul, remains strong for need to reduce cost
While Congress struggled with health care legislation, a recent Harris Poll showed support and opposition for the president's "proposals for health care reform" are now tied 45 percent to 45 percent. A month ago, a modest 49 percent to 41 percent plurality supported them. Altogether, approximately two-thirds of adults agree that we should reduce the cost of health care before trying to provide insurance to more people.


AWB calls for fixes to workers' comp system
AWB called on state officials last Wednesday to think carefully before going ahead with a proposed 7.6 percent average workers' compensation rate hike. "You have heard how the day-to-day operations of real jobs providers in this state are affected by any increase in cost, but especially an increase in cost that is this significant at this time," said Kris Tefft, AWB general counsel and government affairs director, during a public hearing in Tumwater. Tefft urged officials to join AWB in looking for solutions that will get injured workers back on the job sooner, and cut down on the number of pensions awarded. Simple solutions, such as allowing a claim to be settled rather than going on indefinitely, can bring significant savings. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


AWB’s Retro program to deliver nearly $6 million to members
The results are in and we are pleased to announce that members of AWB’s CompWise Manufacturing Group will receive nearly $6 million in premium refunds! This is on top of cost savings achieved through workplace safety programs and claims management which have helped reduce upfront premiums paid to L&I. These results demonstrate our members’ firm commitment to accident prevention and workplace safety. Manufacturing Group members can expect checks in mid-December. If you have any questions, contact AWB’s Debra Brown.

Gregoire, business leaders agree on strategy to create new jobs
Rogers Weed, director of Washington's Department of Commerce, unveiled a list of priorities last week that will guide the effort to create new jobs and boost the state's economy. The priorities, which offer a preview of a full report from the Commerce Department that's due this week, drew praise from Gov. Chris Gregoire and many of the state's business leaders. The priorities include competitiveness and innovation, education and workforce training, more efficient regulation and infrastructure investment. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


AWB now accepting nominations for Better Workplace Awards
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that have gone the extra mile to create a better working environment in the areas of workplace safety, job training, advancement programs and innovative benefit and compensation programs. Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! Click here to download the nomination form. Awards will be presented at our annual Legislative Day in Olympia on Feb. 3, 2010. For more information, contact Jennifer Costello. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, Dec. 11, 2009.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Learn more about new industrial stormwater permit Nov. 3
AWB’s Water Quality Committee will meet at AWB from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss the Department of Ecology’s recently adopted Industrial Stormwater General Permit. The permit, which is required by more than 1,200 facilities in the state, contains more stringent reporting and discharge requirements for metals such as copper and zinc that will increase costs for permittees while offering little meaningful benefit. AWB anticipates that environmental advocates will file a lawsuit against Ecology, seeking standards that are even more stringent. The new permit takes effect Jan. 1, 2010. Please plan to attend this meeting in person (a conference call is not available for this meeting) and help decide what AWB’s next steps will be regarding the permit. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Employment Law Committee meeting, Nov. 12
AWB Employment Law Committee will meet Thursday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. – noon, at the offices of K&L Gates (9^th floor, 925 4^th Avenue, Seattle.) The agenda includes discussions on Department of Labor & Industries revisions to the meal and rest break regulation, employer-side participation in the process; trends and concerns evident in recent employment law court decisions and potential responses, and probable issues in the 2010 legislative session. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Hearings this week on Ecology’s greenhouse gas reporting rule; comments due Nov. 12
The Department of Ecology is holding two public hearings this week on the agency’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule. The first hearing is Tuesday, in Spokane at Ecology’s Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe St., followed by the hearing at Ecology headquarters Thursday in Lacey, 300 Desmond Dr. Both hearings are set for 6:00 p.m. Comments on the proposed rule are due Thursday, Nov. 12. The rule covers both facility and vehicle emissions, however AWB is working with the department on legislation for next session that would eliminate the vehicle emission reporting requirement and fix a number of other inconsistencies with EPA’s recently adopted greenhouse gas rule. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


OTHER NEWS
Employer input needed for workforce development focus group
Gov. Chris Gregoire wants a review of Washington’s workforce development system. Since the primary goal of this system is to provide business with a constant supply of highly qualified workers, it is vital that employers participate in this effort. AWB is sponsoring a focus group conducted by representatives from the Employment Security Department, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. The focus group will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at AWB. If you cannot attend in person you can phone-in your comments to 888.311.9751, participant code 758953 or fill out the online version of the survey. To confirm your participation or for more information, contact AWB’s Mike Hudson.


Don’t miss Washington Policy Center’s 2009 Statewide Small Business Conference, Nov. 10
Washington Policy Center’s 2009 Statewide Small Business Conference will feature breakout sessions on important policy topics that affect small business owners, from access to health care and business taxes, to regulatory reform, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation and more. These breakout sessions give audience members a chance offer recommendations and vote on their favorite ideas. The ideas will then be passed on to state policymakers prior to the 2010 legislative session. Dr. Eugenio Aleman, Wells Fargo Senior Economist and Vice President, will be the keynote speaker. He will talk about where the national and state economies are heading. Additionally, AWB’s Amber Carter and Kris Tefft will speak on workers’ comp, the reseller’s permit and taxes. The conference will be held at the SeaTac Hilton, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10. Click here to register online.


Don Brunell Scholarships application deadline extended to Dec. 1
The application deadline for the Don Brunell Scholarship for Future Business Leaders is being extended until Dec. 1. The scholarship was established to inspire and aid Washington’s future business leaders. It is awarded annually and targeted to undergraduate, graduate or career/vocational students currently pursuing or who intend to pursue a course of education that will lead to a degree or certification in business from any public or private university, community or technical college, or private career school. The scholarship is $1,500 per recipient; $2,000 if the recipient has attended Washington Business Week. For more information, contact AWB’s Mike Hudson.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
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 this Wednesday 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.


Human Resources in 2010: A Washington State Legislative Forecast Webinar
Human resources is always one of the most volatile issues in the Washington State Legislature. Numerous new laws and regulations in the areas of discrimination, leaves of absence, immigration, unionization, employee benefits – to name a few – have been debated for years and are teed up for further action in the 2010 session. Join us on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. for an up-to-the minute briefing on where these and other HR issues stand going into the January start of session. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


AWB Members save up to 26 percent on UPS shipping!
AWB and UPS have partnered on a new program to help save members time and money. With discounts on UPS Next Day Air^®, UPS Worldwide Express^SM and UPS 2nd Day Air A.M^®, you can save up to 26 percent on shipping costs! Find out how to take advantage of these savings today by calling 800.325.7000 or click here to enroll in the program to begin receiving discounted rates!. Be sure to identify yourself as an AWB member.


Still time to participate in AWB salary and benefits survey
AWB has partnered with WageAccess to provide you a survey that includes over 900 benchmark positions in a wide variety of industries. This survey allows you to query, select and filter results by geographic location, industry and company size. The survey results also include a comprehensive set of descriptive statistics, compensation analysis tools and trends in salary and benefit administration. Sign up or learn more about the AWB survey here. If you have not yet participated in the survey, it's not too late. Since the survey results are updated quarterly, your data can still be included!


THEY SAID IT
“Although today’s announcement was the blow we hoped would not come, it is also a call to action. The next battle starts today, right now. We must do everything we can to retain the 737 line and keep all present and future aerospace jobs in Washington. Today we lost thousands of jobs. We cannot afford to lose thousands more.” – Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla


This Week's President's Perspective: Washington is a hot bed for green energy development