TOP STORIES
Legislative session enters home stretch
Friday marked another milestone on the 2009 legislative calendar — it was the last day to consider bills from the opposite house. All business, including the operating budget must be complete by Sunday, April 26, the last day of the regular 105-day session. No word yet on whether legislators will call a special session to resolve the budget.


No Time for Taxes campaign kicks off as legislators prepare budget
With a fragile economy, this really is no time for new taxes. As the House and Senate reconcile their budgets, a grassroots movement called No Time for Taxes is kicking into full gear to remind legislators that we need fiscal discipline, not new spending and taxes that damage businesses’ bottom line and make our state less competitive. AWB encourages its members to visit http://www.notimefortaxes.com/, become a fan of the campaign on Facebook and follow the campaign’s updates on Twitter.


Deeply flawed UI bill awaits action in Senate
The amended version of the Senate’s unemployment insurance conformity bill, SB 5963, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, passed from the House back to the Senate a week ago. It now awaits review by the Senate. What started as an agreement to reduce the impact of necessary changes to the UI system in order to meet federal law now contains amendments that reflect labor's desire to increase UI benefits and raise UI taxes. AWB joined more than 80 business associations, businesses and individuals last week in urging the Senate to reject the House amendments. Contact your state senator today and tell them that tax increases jeopardize businesses and the jobs they provide. Tell them not to concur with the House changes and to insist on sending Gov. Chris Gregoire the original bill. Read an excellent News Tribune editorial for further background on the bill and what’s at stake. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Washington’s aerospace industry in jeopardy
According the findings of the recent Deloitte Consulting study, aerospace investments are bypassing Washington for more cost-competitive states like the Carolinas, Kansas and Texas. The study cites strikes, high workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance costs, a lack of coordinated worker training and education programs and infrastructure as the main reasons why aerospace companies are not coming to Washington state. Hear AWB President Don Brunell’s perspective on this issue in the latest podcast posted to Olympia Business Watch.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
So-called retro ‘reform’ bill dies before reaching House floor
A bill imposing several new regulations on the workers' compensation retrospective ratings program — SB 6035, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, did not make Friday’s legislative cutoff and died before the House floor. AWB successfully fought this bill, and is pleased that this unnecessary and regrettable politicization of a very successful workers' comp program did not succeed in becoming law. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Gov. Gregoire’s greenhouse gas reduction bill passes House with AWB-supported amendment
Last week, the House passed Gov. Gregoire’s greenhouse gas reduction legislation, SB 5735, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island. AWB supported an amendment from Rep. Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland, related to vehicle miles traveled, which requires Ecology to convene a stakeholder group and report back to the Legislature in 2010 on alternatives necessary to meet the state's greenhouse gas emissions reduction levels from the transportation sector. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Wellness bill signed into law
Lawmakers have approved AWB priority legislation, SSB 6019, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines. The bill was signed into law last Friday, and will provide incentives to small businesses to develop outcome driven wellness programs. Attending the signing ceremony with Gov. Gregoire were AWB members Don Conant of Valley Nut and Bolt, in Olympia, and Natalie McNair-Huff of TrueBlue, in Tacoma. Both were members of the AWB subcommittee that worked for several months last year to develop AWB’s proactive health care legislative agenda. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


House passes expensive, state-run health care reform bill
The House approved SSB 5945, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines. This measure requires development of a federal waiver to provide Medicaid benefits to all individuals earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Two current programs provide health care coverage to our most vulnerable citizens, the state Medicaid program and the Basic Health Plan but both contain specific criteria to ensure that only those who are most needy and have no other access to coverage have access to the programs. The waiver will eliminate such criteria and expand eligibility based on income alone. As a result, those with employer-based coverage will drop coverage with cost-sharing requirements in order to obtain free health care, increasing costs for all taxpayers. The impact of such an effort on employers during these difficult economic times is of great concern. AWB remains opposed to this measure. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


AWB-supported stormwater bill heads to governor’s desk
The House concurred today with the Senate amendments to AWB’s stormwater legislation, HB 2222, sponsored by Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen. The bill aims to increase 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. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


House and Senate agree on air quality legislation
The Senate and House concurred on SB 5565, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island, a sensible approach to regulating wood burning stoves. The bill is now on its way to the governor’s desk. AWB supports this measure, which allows a local air pollution control authority or the Department of Ecology to prohibit solid fuel burning devices that do not meet certification requirements in areas of the state that are not complying with air quality standards. Wood smoke has been identified as a significant contributor of air quality pollution in Washington state, especially during winter months. By requiring that newer cleaner burning stoves be used in areas of the state that have known air quality problems, we can avoid serious impacts on the economy from costly regulations on businesses and loss of revenues for state transportation projects. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Legislature looks to delay Paid Family Leave law — but links it to workers’ compensation
The Senate Ways & Means Committee took action on SB 6158, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, which delays implementation and funding of the state’s troubled Paid Family Leave program.This controversial new benefits law and employment mandate passed in 2007.It had an original start date of Oct. 1, 2009, but was never funded or implemented.Senate Bill 6158 delays implementation of the program by giving the Office of Financial Management authority to determine that enough money exists to fund it.The bill also links the program to the workers’ compensation system for initial dollars — a move that would raise workers’ comp premiums. AWB will work to amend this bill, especially its unacceptable tie to workers’ comp, prior to its likely passage this week. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Senate passes tax bill that makes individuals responsible for corporate tax liabilities
The Senate passed a bill that requires individuals to take responsibility for all tax and fee liabilities of a company such as an LLC and others. Senate Bill 6169, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, attacks the very foundation of corporate structure, eliminating the primary purpose for forming a corporate structure for a business. No rational individual would choose to be an officer, member or manager of a corporation if this level of personal liability for the position becomes law.AWB believes we should help employers struggling with their tax liability in this economy instead of creating barriers to being in business. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Senate passes measure that will hit contractors hard
A measure that will increase up-front costs by nearly 10 percent to contractors, SB 6173, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, passed the Senate despite AWB’s opposition. If this bill becomes law, the state will incur additional administrative costs at a time we are cutting programs. Penalties will increase under this measure to 100 percent of the tax value and contradict the efforts of the Senate to reduce paperwork violations for small employers. AWB is committed to working with the Department of Revenue to improve the existing resale certificate program and compliance with existing laws. AWB believes this bill is unnecessary. Efforts to raise revenues should be placed on job creation and business expansion instead of increasing penalties and the establishment of new programs. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Check JobMakers for the latest on legislation and how it affects the economy
JobMakers.com is AWB’s online database of legislation affecting job creation in Washington state. Visit today and find out what your lawmaker is doing to support economic development. This site will be regularly updated throughout the 2009 legislative session.


OTHER NEWS
Send in your nominations for AWB Board
AWB is seeking nominations for its board of directors. Please send the name and contact information of your nominee to Dick Walter, AWB vice president of operations, by Thursday, April 30.


Nominations for Governor’s Smart Communities Awards due April 30
The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is seeking nominations for the 2009 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards.The awards program recognizes outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners throughout the state to create quality communities through achieving the goals of the Growth Management Act and other community development objectives. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.View nomination forms, instructions and other information about the awards here. For more information, contact Julie Knackstedt at 360.725.3053.


Don’t miss Washington State Energy Summit
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers an unprecedented opportunity to use federal “stimulus” funds to advance our state’s transition to a new clean energy economy. On Monday, May 4, theDepartment of Community, Trade and Economic Development will host the Washington State Energy Summit at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle. There, you’ll find up-to-date information on funding sources and federal guidance as well as networking and matchmaking opportunities for prospective competitive grant proposal partners. Plus, get the first look at the draft State EnergyProgram funding planthat will invest more than $60 million in state and local projects for the next two years.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
OSHA 10-hour certification course in Spokane May 18-19
Get current on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held from Monday, May 18 to Tuesday, 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


AWB Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 19-20
Don’t miss AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel featuring keynote speaker Colleen Brown, president and CEO of Fisher Communications, Inc. AWB will also present its Community Service Awards at this event. To register, contact Jennifer Costello or visit the AWB Web site to view a detailed agenda and register online.Please make your room reservations at the Davenport by Wednesday, April 29, in order to receive the AWB discounted rate.


Online HR training at your fingertips — special pricing for AWB members
Employers of all sizes are vulnerable to employment disputes. New and proposed legislation continues to expand employers' exposure to claims. In fact, overall employment discrimination claims are up by 15 percent! In addition, state and federal harassment training mandates are quickly evolving; 2009 is a mandated training year for many organizations with multi-state operations. To help your company avoid problems and stay in compliance, AWB is offering a new member benefit giving you 20 percent off one of the best Online HR Compliance Training programs on the market. Watch a two-minute course preview online or contact Jennifer Davis for your AWB member discount code.


Don’t miss Washington Policy Center legislative reception
Washington Policy Center invites you to attend a special reception for its supporters and those interested in learning more about its work. These hosted events in Bellingham (Tuesday, May 12), Tacoma (Wednesday, May 20), Spokane (Wednesday, May 27) and Kennewick (Thursday, May 28) offer a wrap up of the 2009 legislative session, focusing on how it will affect you and your business. WPC's board members, president and research center directors will review their recent work during this legislative session, and offer a preview of the top issues to look for during the remainder of 2009. Please RSVP for the free event by contacting Lindsay Leveque at 206.937.9691.


Wage & Hour Law Seminar – 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 Jennifer Costello.


THEY SAID IT
“Without tax increases, the state actually has slightly more money coming in next biennium than this biennium. When you add the additional $3 billion in federal stimulus money coming to us, the state has enough money to balance the budget and protect the most vulnerable without raising taxes. State government should not be increasing the tax burden on Washington families who are facing difficult times of their own. The state should do what families are doing: set priorities and live within its means.” – Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis


This Week's President's Perspective: A Washington Without Boeing or Aerospace?