TOP STORIES Health-care reform must be done, but done right
Last Wednesday, AWB President Don Brunell issued a memo to the association's members calling on them to become involved in the national debate over health-care reform by sharing concerns with their legislators. "We believe it is time for health-care reform, but we also believe it must be done right," Brunell said. The memo spells out what AWB supports, including Health Savings Accounts, eliminating fraud and waste and addressing medical malpractice insurance. AWB opposes employer and insurance mandates, a costly new government-run health plan, and new taxes on employers and employees. As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome on this and other issues affecting the business community.


Who’s fact-checking health care?
The current debate over the nation’s health care system has given rise to many falsehoods, half-truths and just plain misinformation. Thankfully, finding legitimate answers to questions about the bills proposed in Congress is a little easier with the help of a handful of objective, non-political groups. A few to bookmark include the Kaiser Family Foundation, which includes a side-by-side comparison of the proposals now in play. The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s FactCheck.org is another excellent resource; be sure to check out their 7 Falsehoods About Health Care, which tackles everything from “death panels” to coverage for illegal immigrants. Finally, don’t overlook the Congressional Budget Office for fiscal data and supplemental information on the proposed legislation. 


Boeing Works Here
Is your business connected in some way – large or small – to Boeing? That's the idea behind Boeing Works Here, the new grassroots effort supported by a broad alliance of employers and business groups, including AWB, the Washington Roundtable, Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy and the Washington Restaurant Association. Visit Boeing Works Here and tell your story. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Study says cap-and-trade would cost 2.4 million jobs.
Although health care is getting all the attention on Capitol Hill and in the media, cap-and-trade legislation is far from dead. Although it does appear stalled in the U.S. Senate, it’s good to keep in mind that cap-and-trade could be considered soon after a vote on health-care reform. And if and when it passes, it certainly will not be cheap. Last Thursday, the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Council for Capital Formation unveiled a comprehensive study on the impact of cap-and-trade on manufacturing, jobs, energy prices and the overall U.S. economy. The study’s conclusion: Cap-and-trade would cost 2.4 million jobs.


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); and Thursday, Sept. 10 (Mountlake Terrace and Bellevue). Click here for details on the meeting locations. To register for a meeting in your district, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
David Dicks at Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee meeting, Aug. 24
AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet on Monday, Aug. 24, 10 – noon, at the law offices of Perkins Coie. The subcommittee will hear from the partnership’s Executive Director David Dicks with a status update, including recent discussions of the Ecosystem Coordinating Board’s plan to implement near-term actions from the partnership’s road map, the Action Agenda. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Energy Committee meeting on Aug. 31
AWB’s Energy Committee will meet on Monday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. The main item is a final review of the edits to AWB’s Legislative Objectives for 2010, followed by its adoption. 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.


AWB seeks to fill WISHA Advisory Committee position
The Department of Labor & Industries has asked AWB to submit names of interested employer representatives willing to serve on the department’s WISHA Advisory Committee. The specific position available is representing “general business.” The WISHA Advisory Committee was established in 1997 and provides a forum for the business community, labor and the department to discuss policies pertaining to workplace safety. The committee meets approximately three times per year. Click here for a list of current advisory committee members, background, previous meeting agendas and more information. Members interested in serving on the committee should contact AWB’s Grant Nelson for more information.


OTHER NEWS
Governor’s Committee on Disability seeks nominations for employee awards,
nominations due Friday
The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment and the Washington State Business Leadership Network are calling for nominations of employers who deserve recognition for their achievements in providing employment for people with disabilities. The Governor’s Employer Awards Program honors private and public sector employers of all sizes.This year’s event will be hosted by Microsoft, a previous recipient, and held in October, on its Redmond campus. Submit nominations online by Friday, Aug. 21. Self nominations are encouraged.


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.


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); and 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. If you have additional comments or ideas beyond the survey questions, send them to connect@commerce.wa.gov.


Don’t miss AWB’s new Member Spotlight: Longview Fibre
AWB’s Member Spotlight takes a look at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Faces of Trade awards for creating jobs through international trade and the three AWB members who won them. We’ve also recently published stories on Longview Fibre, Insitu, Inc., Apex Karting and Westshare Services. If you have a good news story about your company, send it to AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


Hear AWB President Don Brunell every Thursday on KKOL-AM 1300
Make sure you’re tuned to Seattle’s KKOL-AM 1300 every Thursday morning at about 7:20 a.m. when AWB President Don Brunell discusses the business news of the day on Sound Business with Mike Siegel.


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 find out information and 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!


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Successfully Navigating Leaves of Absence Laws Webinar — Aug. 19
A widening gap between state and federal leave requirements has further complicated the already cumbersome legal requirements for employers. This 90-minute Webinar, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, will benefit small businesses owners, HR professionals and managers of all kinds by providing a look at the latest developments in state and federal leave laws as well as potential strategies for dealing with them effectively. For additional information or to register, click here or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


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 as our featured speaker the evening of Sept. 22. 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.


THEY SAID IT
“The problem [with health-care reform] is that physicians think reform means they will practice without insurance company interference, employers think reform means the prices will be 30 percent lower, and uninsured people think reform means they get free medical insurance.” – Randy Flem of Pacific Underwriters in Seattle, Health Insurance Underwriter, June 2009


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