TOP STORIES
Health-care debate rages on, AWB members urged to express their concerns
The health-care debate remains heated as members of Congress hear from constituents urging them not to adopt reckless reforms that would restrict their choices and access to health care. AWB supports health-care reforms, including Health Savings Accounts, eliminating fraud and waste and addressing medical malpractice insurance, President Don Brunell said in a memo to members. It rejects employer and insurance mandates, a costly new government-run health plan, and new taxes on employers and employees. AWB urges its members to become involved in the national debate over health-care reform by sharing their concerns with their legislators.


Voters bag the Seattle bag tax
Last week, Seattle voters soundly rejected a 20 cent grocery bag tax that would have squarely hit financially struggling people in the pocketbook. As of Monday, the referendum was losing by a 53 percent to 47 percent margin. AWB President Don Brunell called the bag tax a bad idea, and said more needed to be done to encourage the voluntary use of recyclable bags.


Washington’s jobless rate drops down to 9.1 percent in July
Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 9.1 percent in July, down from June’s revised rate of 9.2 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department. The state gained an estimated 4,000 non-agricultural jobs over the month, seasonally adjusted. Gov. Chris Gregoire stated that although the drop in the jobless rate was “reassuring and indicates that the economy may be stabilizing, this does not mean the national recession is over.”


Cap-and-trade costs released for Washington state
The National Association of Manufacturers and the American Council for Capital Formation have releasedan updatedcomprehensive study on the impact of federal cap-and-trade legislation. If cap-and-trade passes the U.S. Senate in its current form,by 2030 Washington state can expect a loss of up to 56,459 jobs, a decrease in yearly household disposable income of up to$1,213 and an increase of 70 percent in natural gas prices, the study found. In addition, Washington's gross state product could decrease by $11.8 billion.


Massachusetts health-care costs highest in nation after 2006 health care “reform”
Massachusetts is burdened with the most expensive family health insurance premiums in the country, according to a new analysis. The study looks at the Bay State’s challenges in attempting to rein in health-care costs after passage of a landmark 2006 law that mandated coverage for nearly all individuals. This is a textbook example of why health-care reform must be done carefully and thoughtfully, avoiding such policies as individual and insurance company mandates.


What businesses must do now to prepare for fall swine flu
Cross-train employees so business can continue if a large number of workers fall ill, and tell workers to stay home if they are sick. Those were among the suggestions that U.S. Commerce Secretary and former Washington Gov. Gary Locke had last week for the nation’s business leaders as officials prepare for a possible return of swine flu. AWB’s Dick Walter is the business liaison to the state’s emergency management system, and is working to keep businesses informed on the issue. Click here for more information.


State students continue to score well on ACT
For the sixth straight year, Washington state students scored far above the national average on the ACT exam, which measures college readiness. Washington students in the Class of 2009 tied for seventh with Rhode Island, finishing behind students in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont on the ACT, which measures college readiness. The ACT is a legislatively approved alternative to Washington’s high school state exams in reading, math and writing. In related educational news, Washington will reapply for $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top funds, even though Washington still lags behind in areas like establishing charter schools, which is a requirement for this funding.


Mark your calendar for AWB’s 2009 Regional Meetings
Next month, AWB will begin its 2009 Regional Meetings. Members and prospective members are invited to attend these free events where area legislators will lead an informal discussion of policy issues. AWB Government Affairs staff will then provide an overview of the 2010 legislative objectives. This is your chance to share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions directly with AWB. Your input will help our board of directors establish its legislative priorities at the 20th Annual AWB Policy Summit. The meetings will be held:

• Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Vancouver)
• Wednesday, Sept. 2 (Tri-Cities and Moses Lake)
• Thursday, Sept. 3 (Spokane and Yakima)
• Wednesday, Sept. 9 (Tacoma and Bellingham)
• Thursday, Sept. 10 (Mountlake Terrace and Bellevue).

Please note that the Tri-Cities and Yakima meetings will include interviews with local candidates running in special legislative elections. Click here for details on the meeting locations. To register for a meeting in your district, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Department of Ecology proposes wastewater discharge permit fee rule
The Department of Ecology has filed proposed amendments to the department’s wastewater discharge permit fee rule. The proposed amendments are consistent with legislation that AWB supported last session prohibiting fee increases on businesses whose current permit fee is already greater than Ecology’s costs to manage their permit. The department will hold public hearings on the proposed rule:

• Tuesday, Aug. 25 (Spokane)
• Wednesday, Aug. 26 (Ellensburg)
• Thursday, Aug. 27 (Lacey)

Comments on the rule are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. Click here for more information or contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Energy Committee meeting on Aug. 31
AWB’s Energy Committee will meet on Monday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. The main agenda item is a final review of the edits to AWB’s Legislative Objectives for 2010. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


MTCA Task Force meeting, Sept. 14
Mark your calendars and plan to attend AWB’s next Model Toxics Control Act Task Force meeting on Monday Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. The Department of Ecology’s effort currently underway to revise the MTCA cleanup regulation and portions of the Sediment Management Standards rule will be discussed. Dave Bradley, Ecology’s toxic cleanup program information and policy section manager, will walk us through the proposal and field questions and comments from AWB members. Ecology has posted 14 issue summary papers on its Web site and is asking for comments by Monday, Aug. 31. Background on the rulemaking, what amendments are under consideration, the issue papers and more information is posted here. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


OTHER NEWS
Reminder: Electronic tax filing deadline, Aug. 25
Mark it on your calendars: Tuesday, Aug. 25 is the deadline for taxpayers who file electronically to pay their taxes electronically. If you need a waiver, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Headlines approaching for reseller’s permit
The Department of Revenue will notify employers if they will receive a reseller permit by Wednesday, Sept. 2. By Tuesday, Sep. 8, businesses that have automatic eligibility for the permit will receive notice. By Monday, Sept. 14, businesses that have not received notice must apply for the permit. AWB is working with DOR on draft rules about the permit, the application process and how to appeal. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Mark your calendars for Washington Small Business Fair, Sept. 12
The Washington Small Business Fair, or Biz Fair, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 at Renton Technical College.The fair draws 600-1,000 new and existing small business owners from around the state and organizers are expecting a large crowd this year due to the economy. This is one of the best opportunities for new and prospective small business owners to get all the information they need in one place and at the right price – free!


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 on its rules for providing local governments with guidance on Growth Management Act compliance and implementation. The meetings will be in:

• Moses Lake (Wednesday, Sept. 30. 2009, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Big Bend Community College, ATEC Building)
• Olympia (Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 – 10:30 a.m., General Administration Building, Auditorium)
• Everett (Friday, Oct. 2, 9 – 10:30 a.m., 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.


Department of Commerce wants business community’s feedback on its key functions
Washington’s new Department of Commerce needs your input before it sends a report to Gov. Gregoire and the Legislature, including recommendations about the key functions that best fit the department’s mission and vision, by Nov. 1. Go here to take the department’s survey. Keep in mind that the department was created to serve the needs of business, but only 30 percent of the survey responses are from business. It is imperative that we give more input to the department. Send comments to connect@commerce.wa.gov.


Shared Work Program an alternative to layoffs
Employers seeking to avoid layoffs may want to consider the Washington State Employment Security Department’s new Shared Work Program. Here’s how it works: Employers can temporarily reduce the work hours of their full-time employees by up to 50 percent, while the workers collect partial unemployment benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages. This allows employees to maintain their income and benefits while employers retain skilled workers. More than 2,000 businesses and nearly 42,000 employees are currently participating in the program. To learn more, visit the ESD Web site or call 800.752.2500.


Use Twitter to gear up for the 20^th Annual AWB Policy Summit
AWB has launched a new Twitter account dedicated to the Sept. 22-24 Policy Summit at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum. Follow www.twitter.com/AWBsummit before and during the summit to share your ideas. You can also join the regular discussion of business and politics by following AWB’s main Twitter account, and become a fan of AWB on Facebook!


L&I to audit janitorial firms for workers’ comp
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries will audit thousands of janitorial firms this fall to look for companies that aren’t paying for the workers’ compensation benefits their workers are using. If you are unsure whether your business has been reporting workers’ comp hours correctly, you can avoid the risk of an audit by calling your account manager now and, if necessary, amending your quarterly reports before you are notified of an audit. In most cases, L&I can minimize any late payment penalty and interest costs owed and limit payment of back premiums to the previous four quarters. Payment plans are available. For more information, contact L&I Employer Services at 360.902.4817.


Are you ready to reopen if your business experiences an unexpected event?
Don’t miss A Roadmap to Business Resiliency – a free Webinar for small businesses. This Webinar will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Register early. With speakers from the Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, this webinar will provide a roadmap for businesses on where to invest time and effort with the goal of being able to “bounce back” from a variety of unexpected events that might impact their business.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
AWB’s 20^th Annual Policy Summit Sept. 22-24 at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum
The 2009 AWB Policy Summit is designed to help reduce the uncertainty of today’s tumultuous economic times. We've assembled a team of national and local experts to chart a course through the turbulence, including pollster John Zogby and former presidential adviser David Gergen. Also, don’t miss Harrison Schmitt. The former Apollo astronaut was one of the last men to walk on the moon and will discuss the future of America’s space program. To register, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


2009 Safety Academy
AWB has partnered with Sedgwick CMS to 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 companies. Classes will be offered in Spokane, Seattle and Olympia. For class listings, additional information or to register, please click here or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


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 regulations! 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. Be sure to identify yourself as an AWB member.


Text messaging creates new challenges for employee training
August is a good month to get ready for the last half of the year by preparing for training, performance reviews and tightening procedures to reduce your risk of liability. In this month’s AWB emZiNE, we look at texting situations that have caused problems, problematic recruitment and hiring practices. AWB is providing you a complimentary 12-Step Guide to Avoiding Liability. Click here to access this month’s AWB emZiNE HR News and our complimentary guide.


THEY SAID IT
“I wonder whether Obama would be so willing to promote such health care initiatives if, say, it were 60 years from now, when his children will – as some of the current bills seem to imply – have lived their fill of life years, and the health care resources will then be going to the younger Americans?” – Nat Hentoff, Real Clear Politics