TOP STORIES
House approves historically costly new $1.2 trillion health care bill, a step backwards on reform
The "Affordable Health Care for America Act" was approved by the House of Representatives on Saturday by a close 220-215 vote. It now goes to the Senate where it faces tough opposition. AWB supports health care reforms that lower cost and increase coverage, such as medical malpractice reform and government incentives rather than mandates. Unfortunately, this bill doesn’t accomplish these objectives, and it will have significant negative impacts on businesses of all sizes in our state and nation at a time they can least afford it. Washington’s delegation voted 5-4 in favor of the bill. U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, joined Republicans Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Doc Hastings and Dave Reichert in voting against it. Please e-mail the four Washington lawmakers who opposed Speaker Pelosi’s bill thanking them for their votes. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch or visit Employers for Quality Health Care to learn about changes that businesses can afford.


Small employers get socked hard with health care bill
All small employers should be aware that the House of Representatives’ Affordable Health Care for America will impose a new surtax on small and medium sized employers. This $460 billion tax increase will make it even more difficult to operate a business in the current economy and will cost jobs. The surtax, coupled with tax increases that will go into effect in 2011 – as well as state and local taxes – could send the top tax rate for small employers above 50 percent throughout much of the country. Furthermore, the surtax would apply to adjusted gross income, so it would occur before most deductions occur (including the mortgage deduction) and would include income from capital gains and dividends.In effect, Congress would be increasing the tax rate on investment income. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Unemployment rate is 10.2 percent, highest in 26 years
The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent in October, the Labor Department reported Friday. This is the highest level of joblessness in 26 years, reflecting the loss of another 190,000 jobs. The jump into double-digit unemployment — from 9.8 percent in September — shows that, despite the apparent end of the Great Recession, economic expansion has yet to generate jobs, leaving tens of millions of people out of work.“The guy on the street is going to ask, ‘What recovery?’” Stuart G. Hoffman, chief economist at the PNC Financial Services Group told The New York Times. “The job market is still in reverse.”


Game isn’t over – just starting
Now that the House barely passed its 2,000 page bill, lawmakers must figure out the details of it and the Senate has to chart its course. The pitched battle centers over abortion, costs and whether or not that will be a public option – government financed health insurance plan to compete against private insurers. Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) vows to join Republicans in filibustering any plan with the government-run insurance program. Without Lieberman, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) does not have the votes to end debate or a filibuster as long as the Republicans hold together.


Health Care may be delayed into next year.
With time running short, Congress may have to iron out its differences in 2010. “It time to stop and figure out what they are doing before they do it,” AWB President Don Brunell said. “Consider that in order to spend $1 trillion in the average American life span of 77 years, you'd have to be on a lifetime spending spree of about $35,580,857 and change every day from birth. Isn’t it about time to take stock of what is going on in Washington, D.C.? A trillion more for health care, a trillion more for climate change and we’re talking about mortgaging future generations for life.”


Sturdevant chosen as new Ecology director
Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Ted Sturdevant as the director of the Department of Ecology. Sturdevant has spent the past seven years as Ecology’s director of governmental relations, and replaces Jay Manning, who recently became the governor’s chief of staff. “Ted knows this agency – he has a strong familiarity with its priorities and challenges, and already has an excellent working relationship with agency staff, the environmental community, tribes and the business community,” Gregoire said.


Take time to remember veterans and their family members
Lowering our flags to half-staff seems to be an all-too-familiar sight across our nation these days. It is a solemn act that recognizes our fallen heroes, whether they be men and women in our armed forces or a Seattle police officer killed in the line of duty. Unfortunately, after those flags return to the top of the pole and time passes, we tend to forget that suffering for the friends and families continues. Hopefully, this Veterans Day we will not only pause and remember, but go the extra step and help those grieving families. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Holidays a little brighter with AWB’s Holiday Kids’ TreeProject
The Holiday Kids’ Tree Project goal is to help as many families as possible. This Christmas is shaping up to be a tougher time on families who cannot provide gifts and food for their children, particularly those in rural areas. But there is a bright spot: the AWB Holiday Kids’ Tree Project at the state Capitol Campus.The real joy is in the hundreds of families supported through donations from AWB members. These contributions provide rural firefighters with money to buy gifts and food for needy families. Amazingly, this year’s donations have exceeded expectations during these economic times. Still, we need more. For information on making donations, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 and be sure to join us at the Capitol Rotunda at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, for the official tree-lighting ceremony with Gov. Chris Gregoire. It’s a great event for families and Santa will even be there!


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
Employment Law Committee meeting, Nov. 12
AWB Employment Law Committee will meet Thursday, 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.


Comments due Thursday on Ecology’s greenhouse gas reporting rule
Comments on the Department of Ecology’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule are due Thursday. 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.


DOR holding reseller permit public meeting, Nov. 12
The Department of Revenue will hold a public hearing on its proposed reseller permit rules on Thursday, starting at 1:30 PM at the Department of Revenue Capital Plaza Building,1025 Union Ave. SE, Olympia in the 4^th floor conference room. The proposed rules address the application process and eligibility requirements for reseller permits and focus on the brief adjudicative proceedings for appealing decisions related to the reseller permit. The agency previously adopted these regulations as emergency rules at the end of August and is now going through the process of adopting them as permanent rules. Comments can be provided verbally at the hearing or you can send written comments to DOR’s Jay Jetter at JayJ@dor.wa.gov or 360.570.6057.If you have specific issues that you would like AWB to address, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting, Nov. 18
The final Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting of 2009 is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m. – noon at AWB. The council will continue preparing for the 2010 legislative session and review the proposed vision for the Department of Commerce. Plan to provide input on AWB’s comments in an upcoming legislative hearing on city licensing and taxing authority problems resulting from compliance with destination sourcing. If you have topics you would like included at the meeting, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.On the same day at 1:30 p.m., the Department of Revenue will hold a stakeholder meeting on the reseller permit and proposed legislation for 2010. Please consider participating in the meeting at 6300 Linderson Way, Room 123, in Tumwater.


OTHER NEWS
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 Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the SeaTac Hilton, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.. Click here to register online.


Free ATC-45 course on building evaluation after floods
Additional spaces are available in the ATC-45 class, Safety Evaluation of Buildings After Windstorms and Floods, offered on Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Criminal Justice Center in Burien. ATC-45 is designed to help determine if damaged or potentially damaged buildings are safe for use after wind storms or floods, or if entry should be restricted or prohibited. The course is intended for structural engineers, building inspectors, and other private sector personnel that would have responsibility for post-disaster building safety assessments.
Applicants need to fax a signed, completed application. The training is free to confirmed applicants; however,private industry applicationswill need to be signed by a local emergency management office (county, city, or tribal)as a sponsor. For more information, contact James Yates, state training program manager, Washington State Emergency Management Division, at (253) 512-7049.


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
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!


2010 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, Moses Lake and Olympia. You can find class listings and registration information online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello for additional information.


THEY SAID IT
“Democrats have dumped any pretense of genuine bipartisan 'reform' and moved into the realm of pure power politics as they race against the unpopularity of their own agenda. The goal is to ram through whatever income-redistribution scheme they claim to be 'universal coverage.' The result will be destructive on every level -- for the health-care system, for the country's fiscalcondition, and ultimately for American freedom and prosperity.” – The Wall Street Journal


This Week's President's Perspective: Those flags at half-staff signal the start of the suffering