TOP STORIES
Manning named governor’s chief of staff
Gov. Chris Gregoire announced today that Jay Manning will be her new chief of staff, replacing Cindy Zehnder who is stepping down. Manning has served as director of the state Department of Ecology since 2005. He previously worked as a private practice attorney and assistant state attorney general. Gregoire said Manning will bring leadership skills and knowledge of Washington state to the position. He begins his new duties Oct. 19.


Governor touts Washington as best choice for second 787 production line
Gov. Chris Gregoire released a 32-page report last week making the case that Washington is the best place for The Boeing Co. to build a second 787 Dreamliner production line. The release followed a Sept. 25 meeting between Gregoire and Jim Albaugh, the new CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The report highlighted Washington’s large and skilled aerospace workforce, and the state’s quality of life. Washington is competing with South Carolina as a potential site for a second 787 assembly line. Reviews of the presentation have been mixed, including this piece today from Seattle Times editorial columnist Kate Riley. Read more on the WashACE blog and in Olympia Business Watch.


Minimum wage to hold steady in 2010
Washington’s minimum hourly wage will remain $8.55 next year, the Department of Labor & Industries announced last week — the first time since 1998 that the minimum wage has not risen. Voters approved an initiative that year tying the minimum wage to inflation. Inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, did not increase during the last year, but rather decreased by about 2 percent. Even with no increase, Washington still has the highest minimum wage in the country.


First round of H1N1 flu vaccine arriving soon
The first 71,000 doses of H1N1 swine flu vaccine will arrive in Washington this week, the state Department of Health has announced. The initial doses will be in nasal spray form and will be reserved for health-care workers, healthy children and families and caregivers of babies, officials said. Swine flu shots are expected to follow in a couple of weeks, and will be available initially to high-risk groups. Soon, enough vaccine is expected to be available to meet demand statewide, officials said. More information about H1N1 is available here. Information for the business community is available here.


AWB reports on reseller permit to House Finance Committee
AWB’s Amber Carter addressed the House Finance Committee about the implementation of the state’s new resellers permit Friday during the Legislative Assembly Days. Beginning in January, the resellers permit will replace the current resale certificate, a change that resulted from the passage of SB 6173 in the 2009 session.The new permit is issued by the Department of Revenue to eligible businesses and those not receiving a permit automatically may apply. While much of the new law has been easily implemented, Carter reported that more work is necessary in the 2010 legislative session to amend the law to make it less of a burden on employers, particularly those in construction. If you have not received a permit from DOR or need help applying for one, contact Amber Carter. For a copy of Carter’s report to the House Finance Committee click here, or watch her testimony at TVW (testimony begins at 44:29).


Ecology proposes draft greenhouse gas reporting rule for public comment
Last week, the Department of Ecology proposed its draft greenhouse gas reporting rule for public comment and announced two hearings designed to provide input to the agency. Information regarding the public hearings in November and a preliminary cost-benefit analysis and small business economic impact statement, which is part of the rulemaking, are also available on the department’s Web site. Ecology’s proposed rule, which requires reporting of GHG emissions from vehicle fleets and stationary sources starting in 2010, follows closely on the heels of EPA’s final GHG reporting rule that was mentioned in last week’s Fast Facts. Public comments are due by Thursday, Nov. 12. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


It’s time for business!
The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce has launched a new campaign to help businesses throughout the state spread the word about the great things they’re doing, even in this tough economy. The campaign, called “It’s Time for Business,” includes a video featuring several AWB member companies, and a Web site where businesses looking for a little free publicity can share what they’re doing. Kirk Nelson, the chamber’s new chairman of the board and Washington president for Qwest Communications (and AWB board member), said the effort is designed to play into the region’s strengths and “drive a policy agenda that enhances business competitiveness.”


2010 Competitiveness Redbook available now
The 2010 edition of the WashACE Competitiveness Redbook is available now from AWB. This handy book offers a look at more than 50 key indicators of Washington state’s business climate, comparing it to the rest of the nation. Want to know how Washington stacks up on health care cost, job growth, housing affordability, access to education? Data on those topics and many more can be found in the Redbook. The book is sponsored by AWB along with the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy, Washington Realtors and the Washington Roundtable. Order your copy online for $10 (member price); discounts also available on large quantities. Or, contact AWB’s J-Anne Nepomuceno.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Lawmakers hold health-care town hall meeting
State Reps. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Habor, and Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, will host a town hall meeting on health-care solutions tonight in Burlington. The lawmakers, who are members of the state House Health Care and Wellness Committee, will share their solutions for the state and listen to the views of those in attendance. AWB took a leading role in forming Employers for Quality Health Care, a coalition of statewide chambers of commerce and business organization striving for sensible reform of the nation’s health care system. We encourage members to attend and share their opinions. The meeting tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Burlington-Edison High School, Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington.


Learn how to grow international sales
An eight-city seminar aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses increase their international sales is coming to Seattle next month. “Exports Live! Real Deals – Real Profits” is a half-day seminar Nov. 17 that will teach participants about the government products and services that are available to help their businesses compete worldwide. It is available through Export.gov, a collaborative effort by 19 federal agencies managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. More information, including how to register, is available here.


Pacific Mountain Region Industry & Innovation Expo
Mark your calendar now for the Pacific Mountain Region Industry & Innovation Expo 2009. The two-day event will bring together businesses, government agencies and nonprofits from Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties next month to discuss ways to navigate the emerging economy. Topics will include workplace efficiency, green building, supply chain management and more. The Expo will be held Nov. 6-7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Little Creek Event Center in Shelton.


L&I to hold hearings on proposed 7.6 percent rate increase
The state Department of Labor and Industries has announced a proposed 7.6 percent hike in workers’ compensation taxes for 2010, prompting AWB to call on lawmakers to reform the system. Beginning later this month, the agency will host a series of six public hearings on the proposal and AWB encourages members to attend and share their comments. A number of common-sense reforms are needed in the state’s workers’ comp system, according to AWB President Don Brunell, including creating a settlement option for complex or long-term claims. Final 2010 rates will be adopted in late November. The hearings are scheduled for:

• Tukwila: Oct. 27, 1 p.m., L&I Office, 12806 Gateway Drive
• Tumwater: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., L&I Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
• Vancouver: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia St.
• Bellingham: Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Bellingham Quality Inn, 100 E. Kellogg Road
• Spokane: Oct. 30, 9 a.m., Spokane Airport Ramada, 8909 W. Airport Dr.
• Richland: Oct. 30, 2 p.m., Richland Hampton Inn, 486 Bradley Blvd.


OTHER NEWS
Watch the 2009 AWB Policy Summit on TVW!
If you weren’t able to attend the 2009 Policy Summit – or did attend but want to revisit remarks by the speakers — be sure to check the TVW programming schedule. Audio and video of the presentations by David Gergen, John Zogby, Gov. Gregoire and top legislative leaders are now available via their Web site and on your local cable channel. Visit http://www.tvw.org/ and click on “TV Schedule” in the menu options.


Brunells co-chair USO annual gala
AWB President Don Brunell and his wife, Jeri, are the honorary chairs for this year’s USO gala Friday at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. “We are honored. The USO is important to anyone in uniform away from home,” said Brunell. “It helps families and our military bridge the gap between home and their duty assignments which often are lonely times.” For information, please call 206.246.1908, ext. 101 or Sam@usopsa.org.


AWB Institute manager appointed to state Rehabilitation Council
Gov. Gregoire has appointed Mike Hudson, project manager for the AWB Institute, to the Washington State Rehabilitation Council. The council is a policy partner to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and is responsible for tracking and analyzing the performance of the implementation of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s state plan.


State needs your input reforming natural resource management
Washington state natural resource agency directors, along with policy and budget staff for Gov. Chris Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, offered state elected officials, tribes, the public, businesses, agency employees and local governments a set of ideas for reforming the state’s natural resource management. Their ideas are found in Ideas to Improve Management of Washington’s Natural Resources. Submit comments through Wednesday, Oct. 28. Members of the business community are strongly encouraged to share their thoughts.


AWB Institute is podcasting
Now you can get the latest information about the state’s manufacturing sector delivered directly to your computer or MP3 player. The AWB Institute has launched a new podcast series aimed at giving listeners a better understanding of some of the issues relevant to today’s manufacturing economy. In the inaugural podcast, host Mike Hudson is joined by Patrick Woods of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to discuss Lifelong Learning Accounts, a new workforce training tool for Washington employers. Click here to download the podcast.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
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 regulation. At the completion of this course you will be able to help your employees identify, avoid, prevent and control hazardous situations in the workplace. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Developing Issues in Workers’ Comp Webinar, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
Workers’ comp premiums in our state are paid by the hour and in this economy, reported hours are way down. And in this volatile market, trust fund reserves are down. Yet Washington continues to offer some of the highest workers’ comp benefits in the country. Where will this lead? Join us for a 60-minute Webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m., to look at the economic and benefit issues that will drive next year’s workers’ comp premiums and the top reform issues employers are expected to seek in the Legislature to keep our workers’ comp costs under control. Visit the AWB Web site for more information or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Understanding the Resale Certificate Webinar
Effective Jan. 1, the resale certificate will be replaced with a reseller permit issued by the Washington State Department of Revenue. Reseller permits are free and will be issued to businesses that make wholesale purchases, including qualified contractors. The permits allow businesses to purchase items or services for resale without paying retail sales tax. Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m., for this 60-minute Webinar to learn what a permit is, how to get a reseller permit and receive answers to all of your questions and concerns of the process. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


THEY SAID IT
“Business owners will provide their own assessments of the [Forbes and Tax Foundation] rankings with their expansion and location decisions. And our policymakers will still have to respond to the competitive realities faced by businesses already here, including our relatively high business costs. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to see reports touting the advantages of this state. The marketing boost comes at a good time.” – WashACE Director Richard S. Davis in his Oct. 2 Puget Sound Business Journal column, “Good report cards may attract business.”


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