TOP STORIES
Canadian ambassador, Community Service Awards at AWB Spring Meeting
AWB is pleased to welcome Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Wilson, as the opening speaker at the annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on Tuesday, May 19. Ambassador Wilson will speak for an hour beginning at 3:30 p.m.; a reception will immediately follow his presentation. Following the reception, AWB will host its traditional dinner and Community Service Awards ceremony. Colleen Brown, CEO of Fisher Communications, will be the featured speaker that evening. Register for the event online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at 360.943.1600. If you are unable to attend, you can still keep up with everything that’s going on by following AWB’s Twitter feed and reading our blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Governor creates Washington aerospace council
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed an executive order last Thursday creating the Washington Council on Aerospace in hopes of keeping Boeing production in Washington state. The council will recommend changes in tax codes or expenses such as unemployment costs that may currently make the state less competitive than states in the deep South and coordinate aerospace research and training programs across the state. “In today’s challenging times and with our faltering economy, we need to do more to stay ahead,” Gregoire said. “The aerospace council is designed to ensure we are doing all we can in a sustained way to be even more competitive.” Read more here.


Business input sought on EPA finding
This Thursday, May 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a hearing from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle on the impact of greenhouse gases on air pollution under the federal Clean Air Act. After a thorough scientific review ordered in 2007 by the U.S. Supreme Court, the EPA issued a proposed finding that six greenhouse gases — including carbon dioxide — endanger public health and contribute to air pollution. AWB believes policy decisions related to greenhouse gas are best made at the federal level by Congress and not through agencies like the EPA, and is coordinating testimony with a cross-section of business groups. Everything you need to know about the public hearing and directions on how to get there is available here. Testimony is being taken on a reservations-only basis, and space is limited. Written comments may also be submitted and must be received by June 23. For more information, check AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
Governor signs AWB priority unemployment insurance legislation
Gov. Gregoire has signed SSB 5963, the AWB priority unemployment insurance bill addressing federal conformity and voluntary quit issues.AWB would like to thank all of its members who answered the call to contact legislators and share your support for this measure.We were highly successful in keeping the bill true to the business community’s proposal and appreciate the effort of all who helped get this very contentious measure through the Legislature.


Governor signs AWB-priority health care legislation
Today, the governor is expected to sign a second AWB priority health care measure, SHB 1869, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. This measure addresses one very important key to controlling health care costs: assuring patients have the information they need to make informed decisions regarding the care they receive.Accessing information on health care costs is critical to understanding health care choices and empowering individuals to take control of health care decisions.For more information on health care legislation, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Governor signs digital goods bill
Today, the governor is slated to sign HB 2075, sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, establishing a broad definition of digital products while providing a generous exemption for business inputs that include digital products. The need for clarity in our tax code, certainty for economic development decisions and conformity for continued Streamlined Sales Use and Tax Agreement compliance was a key issue for AWB in the 2009 session, and we supported the bill. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Budget transparency measure signed into law
SB 5073, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, received Gov. Gregoire’s signature on Thursday. This AWB priority legislation improves budget transparency by consolidating accounts into the state general fund. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Environmental tax incentive legislation signed by governor
The governor has signed SB 6170, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, providing environmental tax incentives related to renewable energy, radioactive waste cleanup, hog fuel, biomass energy, solar energy, livestock nutrients, log trucks and hybrid vehicles. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Governor signs AWB priority legislation on highway contract bonds
Gov. Gregoire has signed AWB priority measure SB 5499, sponsored by Sen. Fred Jarrett, D-Mercer Island. This request from the Washington State Department of Transportation will increase competition on highway contracts to reduce costs and allow for greater savings on pending mega-projects. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Cities ignoring destination sourcing law from 2008 session
Watch your mailbox if you make delivery retail sales that require destination sourcing.AWB recently learned various cities are sending letters to taxpayers after they receive sales tax reports from the Department of Revenue resulting from destination sourcing.In 2008, AWB worked to pass legislation ensuring that compliance with the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement does not constitute nexus for purposes of licensing fees and business and occupation taxes.This was done to prevent overzealous cities from collecting taxes unnecessarily. After the law’s passage, AWB worked with the Association of Washington Cities on sample letters to highlight this bill. Unfortunately, many cities are ignoring this law and are not using the sample letters. If you have received such a letter, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


OTHER NEWS
L&I partners with AWB to launch a new safety campaign
AWB has partnered with the Department of Labor and Industries, the Washington State Labor Council, Associated General Contractors and the Washington State Building and Construction Trades in an advertising campaign to raise awareness about the importance of workplace safety. The “Work Safe. Home Safe” campaign will begin airing on television, radio and the Internet this week. The ads will run in May and June, and again in September and October, with some radio advertising also airing in July and August. The campaign was created with resources from the dedicated workers’ compensation funds, which can’t be used for purposes other than workers’ comp and workplace safety. According to L&I, preventing one workplace injury that turns into a long-term pension could pay for the cost of the campaign. Currently, L&I has 3,964 claims, each with costs of more than $450,000. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Cox will step aside as 9th District state representative
Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax, announced he will not be a candidate in this fall’s special election for the 9^th Legislative District seat he was appointed to in January. Cox was chosen Jan. 19 to succeed former Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, who resigned from the Legislature shortly before his death on Dec. 28 from cancer. Cox, a veteran lawmaker who originally served in the House from 1999 through 2007, will complete the term of his appointment.


Spring 2009 issue of Washington Business is in the mail
Watch for the newly redesigned issue of Washington Business magazine in your mailbox this week. This issue takes a deeper look at the innovative ways in which Washington businesses are coping with the economy. The new magazine will arrive in a special wrapper, so keep an eye out for it in your mailbox!


AWB is now on Twitter
AWB recently joined the microblogging site, Twitter. This allows us to post brief (140 characters) updates about AWB events, ask members quick questions, share breaking news and link to resources. Twitter is the third most popular social networking application on the Internet, right behind MySpace and Facebook. Learn more about the site and start following AWB on Twitter today!


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Make reservations for Government Affairs Council retreat by May 20
The annual Government Affairs Council retreat will be at Alderbrook Resort, on Hood Canal June 16-18. The retreat will begin on the evening of Tuesday, June 16 and last until approximately noon on Thursday, June 18. There will be panels on local government, environmental issues and the revenue forecast. If you are planning to attend, contact Alderbrook at 1.800.622.9370 and reference AWB or registering online using the booking code 4051GT. Rooms are $160 per night. The room reservation deadline is this Wednesday, May 20. After that, rooms will be on a space- and price-available basis. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


Legislative wrap-up Webinar — Thursday, May 28
Important employment and human resource bills were introduced and considered in the just-completed 2009 session of the Washington State Legislature. Important changes to the state’s unemployment insurance system, workers’ compensation system, paid family leave, and workplace relations were all considered. AWB members can attend this free 60-minute Webinar to find out what laws passed, how they will affect your operations and what bills are still alive for next year. Discussions will also include preparation for possible future changes to the state’s employment laws. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Wage and hour law seminar – Tuesday, June 9 in Bellevue
A steady stream of wage and hour litigation threatens to inundate employers. Those investigations often result in considerable fines to the employer as a result of the employer’s failure to keep proper records and pay its employees accurately and in a timely fashion. Join us for this half day seminar and leave with rock-solid knowledge and the confidence to make the right decisions. Protect your organization and your career. It couldn’t be easier. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Common HR Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them seminar on June 24
Don't let innocent mistakes become costly matters for your company! Whether the issue relates to pay practices, employee classification, discrimination and harassment, labor and employment laws are difficult to interpret and are constantly changing. The good news is that the most common mistakes can be easily avoided. Effective HR practices are at the core of prevention. Join us for this half day seminar on Wednesday, June 24, at the Doubletree Guest Suites Seattle-Southcenter, in Tukwila, which will help you create and implement best HR practices designed to prevent legal problems and identify potential areas where your company may be vulnerable. To register, click here or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Free safety education Webinars
AWB and Sedgwick CMS offer courses for safety and non-safety professionals who wish to increase their safety knowledge and effectiveness in developing and administering safety programs within their company. We have identified that the two most common causes of injuries are overexertion resulting in back and shoulder injuries and slips, trips and falls either from tripping over uneven surfaces, slipping on floors, or falling from heights. We offer free educational Webinars to all AWB members on these topics to help you identify and control these risks in your workplace. For additional information and webinar training dates, click here.


THEY SAID IT
“The capital budget I am signing today will support more than 13,000 jobs at its peak. These jobs are critical in helping our state recover from the economic downturn. At the same time, the investments build the infrastructure needed to keep Washington at the forefront of the 21^st century economy.” – Gov. Chris Gregoire


This Week's President's Perspective: When opportunity knocked, Forks answered