TOP STORIES
EPA hearings on greenhouse gases set for May 21 in Seattle
On Thursday, May 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold the second of two national hearings on the impact of greenhouse gases on air pollution under the federal Clean Air Act. (The only other hearing on the issue will be in Arlington, Va. on May 18.) 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.

These hearings, particularly the one in Seattle, are significant in many ways. First, politically, this is shaping up as a battle between the White House and Congress over where the changes are made. Second, an endangerment finding by EPA would trigger regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the federal Clean Air Act and pre-empt congressional debate on an issue that would impact all sectors of the struggling economy.

AWB believes policy decisions related to greenhouse gas are best made at the federal level by Congress and not through agencies like the EPA.

The Seattle hearing will be held May 21 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Bell Harbor International
Conference Center. AWB is coordinating testimony with a cross-section of business groups, including Associated Oregon Industries, National Association of Manufacturers, Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Western States Petroleum Association. 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 as of last Friday, there were just a few spots left. Written comments may also be submitted and must be received by June 23.


No special session — for now
Last week, state lawmakers announced there will be no special legislative session this spring. Although Gov. Chris Gregoire said she wanted to call the Legislature back for a one-day special session in mid-May or early June to discuss a few bills related to implementing the 2009-11 operating budget, but legislative leaders were unable to agree on an agenda for the special session. AWB’s GA staff is currently working on its 2009 session review and legislative scorecard, which will be published in the summer issue of Washington Business magazine.


Brunell in nation’s capitol urging opposition to card check
AWB President Don Brunell met with Washington lawmakers last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss a range of issues, including opposition to card check, which would replace the secret ballot in union-organizing campaigns. He also spoke with Washington’s delegation about expediting construction of the new I-5 bridge across the Columbia River, connecting Vancouver and Portland, and support for the BiOp, the biological opinion governing the operation (including electric power production), irrigation and barge navigation on the lower Columbia and Snake rivers.


First Washington state fatality from H1N1 virus
A 30 year-old Snohomish County man died of Influenza A/H1N1 flu last week, becoming the first Washington state casualty of the virus. As of 3 p.m. today, there were 176 confirmed cases in Washington. AWB is working with the state’s Emergency Management Division to provide businesses with updates and resources on the virus outbreak. Keep checking AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch, for the most current information.


State unemployment benefits increase today
Starting today, Washington's minimum unemployment benefit will go up from $129 a week to $155. Most people receiving unemployment will see their checks increase by $45. An estimated 190,000 Washington residents are now receiving benefits, more than twice as many as a year ago according to the Employment Security Department.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
Governor signs “ex parte” bill
Despite AWB’s request for a veto, Gov. Gregoire signed SHB 1402, sponsored by Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia. The bill changes nearly a century of workers’ compensation law by restricting employers and, to a lesser extent, the Department of Labor & Industries, from communicating with a claimant’s workplace injury medical provider once a claim goes on administrative appeal by effectively channeling all communication through the claimant’s attorney. AWB opposed SHB 1402 because it adds legal complexity and delay to the informal administrative resolution of workers’ comp claims, thereby increasing costs and workers’ comp taxes. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


AWB stormwater bill signed into law
Gov. Gregoire has signed HB 2222, AWB’s stormwater legislation, sponsored by Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen. The bill increases technical assistance for businesses that are required to comply with industrial and construction stormwater permits and requires the Department of Ecology to report biennially on the progress of improving technical assistance for permittees. The bill also extends the compliance date for permittees discharging into impaired bodies of water. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


AWB requests L&I not to make outdoor heat exposure rule more punitive
The Department of Labor & Industries has issued a draft directive for the implementation of the department's outdoor heat exposure rule (OHE) for this coming summer. Despite an extremely high 98.5 percent compliance rate with the rule among the employer community, the department is proposing to change the classification of violations of the rule from “general” to "serious,” resulting in an increased monetary level for fines. In comments submitted to the department last week, AWB requested that the department continue its current collaborative approach of implementing the rule with employers and leave the classification of violations unchanged. The OHE rule is effective May 1 through Sept. 30 each year. More information is available on L&I’s Web site or by contacting AWB’s Grant Nelson.


OTHER NEWS
Watch for the spring 2009 issue of Washington Business next week
The newly redesigned issue of Washington Business magazine will be arriving in mailboxes early next 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!


Don’t miss AWB’s new Member Spotlight
Be sure to check out the new AWB Member Spotlight, our online profile of the awards and achievements of AWB members. We’ve recently published stories on Boeing, Carlile Transportation Systems, Cascade Gasket, Microsoft, Roman Meal and Weyerhaeuser. If you have a good news story about your company, send it to AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting May 12

 AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet Tuesday, May 12, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at Deloitte (925 Fourth Avenue, Ste. 3300, Seattle). AWB members will receive an update on the 2009 legislative session; review the Department of Revenue’s implementation plans on digital goods and sellers’ permits; and develop a work plan for the interim. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


AWB Workers’ Comp Coalition meets on May 18
The AWB Workers’ Comp Coalition will hold its post-legislative session meeting on Monday, May 18, 9:30 a.m. to noon, at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Canadian ambassador to speak 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 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. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch. 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. For more information, contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at 360.943.1600.


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 register online using the booking code 4051GT. Rooms are $160 per night.The deadline for reserving your room is 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.


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
"This death is tragic. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this man’s passing. It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is serious, and can be fatal. I know our public health agencies are doing everything they can to track and monitor this outbreak and to protect the people of our state." – Gov. Chris Gregoire, in response to the first death from H1N1 virus in Washington state


This Week's President's Perspective: Hard Lessons On Health Care Reform