TOP STORIES
Register now for AWB’s 20^th Annual Policy Summit Sept. 22-24 at Suncadia Resort
Are you registered for Policy Summit? It is next week. This year, we've assembled a powerful line-up of national and local speakers, including pollster John Zogby, former presidential adviser David Gergen and former astronaut and U.S. Senator Harrison Schmitt and You’ll also hear from Gov. Gregoire, the state’s new Director of Commerce, Rogers Weed, and some of the state’s top legislative leaders. Plus, don’t miss your chance to play one of Washington’s premiere golf courses — Suncadia’s Prospector course — at significantly reduced prices. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Regional meetings overwhelming success—input goes to GAC and Board
Last week, AWB completed its nine regional meetings designed to gather member input on our 2010 legislative positions. “It was the largest turnout we’ve had since we started conducting the meetings five years ago,”AWB President Don Brunell said. Input from the meetings now goes to AWB’s Governmental Affairs Council on Sept. 18 and then on to the Board when it meets at Suncadia on Sept. 24. The regional meetings were in Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Moses Lake, Spokane, Yakima, Tacoma, Bellingham. Mountlake Terrace and Bellevue.


AWB health-care letter to Congress warns of job losses, increased costs
Last Thursday, AWB joined 3,100 other state and local chambers of commerce, associations and small businesses nationwide in sending a letter to Congress, expressing concern with the possible loss of jobs posed by the current health-care reform proposals. “When you look at the proposed health-care legislation, we are concerned that it will result in job losses at a time we can least afford it,” said AWB President Don Brunell. Three major concerns mentioned in the letter include: a government-run plan that would increase costs and limit choice, an employer mandate that would kill jobs and lower wages, and no real effort to lower health care costs.
AWB is taking a leadership role in bringing together 21 state chambers and employer groups involved in Employers for Quality Health Care, a coalition working to get employers involved directly in the national health-care debate.

No word on workers comp rates for 2010
L&I was supposed to release its proposed workers comp rates for 2010 this week, but it appears the announcement will come later. We are anxiously awaiting the proposed rates which could include a double-digit rate increase.


Businesses must prepare now for potential Green River flooding
The Howard Hanson Dam is a ticking time bomb. AWB President Don Brunell has been meeting with the governor’s staff to find ways to address this most serious issue. Thanks to damage suffered earlier this year by the dam, there is potential for a major flood in the heavily populated Green River Valley, in south King County. In response to this threat, the state’s Emergency Management Division is offering a Green River Valley Flooding Emergency Preparedness Symposium, 5 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the ShoWare Center, 625 West James St., Kent. If you own a business in the valley, you’ll want to attend.


H1N1 flu spreading – AWB members need to stay informed
Hot on the heels of a special summit held by Gov. Chris Gregoire to discuss preparations for the H1N1 flu outbreak in Washington state comes news that the virus is spreading. The swine flu, clinically referred to as the H1N1 virus, is now in all 50 states. Here in Washington, more than 2,500 Washington State University students have already reported flu-like symptoms since classes began last month. Now there are more than 20 cases at Gonzaga University and two probable cases at the University of Washington. AWB, which represented the business community at Gov. Gregoire’s H1N1 summit, is working with the state’s Emergency Management Division to keep business informed on this important public health issue. You can view responses to AWB’s survey of businesses on this issue here. Keep checking AWB’s blog and Web site for other updates this fall and winter, too. Dick Walter is AWB’s contact.


Workers’ Comp Advisory Committee to meet
The state Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee will meet next Monday, Sept. 21, to discuss what’s expected to be a significant increase in the 2010 workers’ comp tax rate. Interested employers should attend the meeting in the Department of Labor & Industries’ auditorium in Tumwater from 10 a.m. – noon. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meets Sept. 16
The AWB Climate Change Subcommittee will meet Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. On the agenda: discussion and recommendations for changes to AWB’s climate change legislative objective document, which outlines the current status of climate-related policies; problems that need to be addressed; and solutions to address those problems next session. For more information and to obtain the draft climate change legislative objective, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


OTHER NEWS
Reseller permits to replace reseller certificates in 2010
The way businesses buy items for resale changes in 2010. On Jan. 1, reseller permits issued by the Department of Revenue replace self-issued resale certificates. This means resale certificates will no longer be valid after Dec. 31. More than 150,000 businesses automatically received a permit. Other businesses that may need one can pick up a permit for free online or by calling 1.800.647.7706. The permits do expire, and the length of time a permit is valid depends on the type of business and when it registered withthe Department of Revenue. To recoup sales tax paid on items that are re-sold, businesses without permits can take a Taxable Amount for Tax Paid at Source deduction on their returns or request a refund. Click here for complete information, including a video tutorial.


Michael Silverstein returning to L&I
Dr. Michael Silverstein will return to the Department of Labor and Industries on Oct. 5 as the assistant director of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, a position he previously held from 1997 to 2005. Steve Cant, the current assistant director, will assume an executive role in support of Silverstein. Silverstein will leave his current position at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health.


AWB selects new chair for MTCA Task Force
AWB is proud to announce that Kris Hendrickson, P.E., has agreed to serve as Chair of the AWB Model Toxics Control Act Task Force. Hendrickson has more than20 years of experience in environmental engineering with a focus on regulatory issuespertaining to contaminated site cleanup. He also was a member of the externalcommittee that worked with the Department of Ecology in development of the original MTCA regulations, and has participated in all of the subsequent revisions to the regulations. Hendrickson is currently a principal at Landau Associates.


Nominees for new Corporations for Communities Awards due tomorrow
Tuesday, Sept. 15 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Secretary of State’s Corporations for Communities Awards. Winners will be announced in mid-October. Washington businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving and a drive to improve local or regional social conditions are eligible for the award.


National Wellness Institute's fall webinar series kicks off Sep. 17 – Register online today
Now you can participate in interactive classes right from your home or office. Gain valuable knowledge from some of the top professionals in wellness without the hassle or cost of travel! Create an NWI Webinar account to view free on-demand webinars, register for upcoming live Webinars, and watch previously recorded webinars. Click here to see what they have planned and check back often, as more Webinars may be added at any time.


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 to its rules for providing local governments with guidance on Growth Management Act compliance and implementation. The meetings will be held: Wednesday, Sept. 30 in Moses Lake from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at Big Bend Community College, ATEC Building; Thursday, Oct. 1 in Olympia from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at General Administration Building, Auditorium; and Friday, Oct. 2 in Everett 9 – 10:30 a.m. at 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.


Apply now for Best Companies for Hourly Workers list
Register now for the Best Companies for Hourly Workers list. Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother magazine will honor companies dedicated to creating and using best practices to support hourly workers. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 16. Winners will be highlighted in the Working Mother 2010 issue. Any company with a minimum of 500 employees in the United States, 50 percent of whom are nonexempt, may apply.


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 on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 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. Be sure to register early!


Don’t miss TVW’s very informative education documentary
Want to learn more about education funding and reform in Washington? Tune in to TVW’s 90-minute documentary, The Quest for Quality: The Debate Over Education Reform & Funding, showing in two parts at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, and 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24. Viewers will learn more about the changes to education funding made by the Legislature this past year.It also looks ahead to the next 10 years and includes an array of viewpoints on how the state should move forward with reform efforts.Click here for more information and to watch a preview.


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


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.


Developing Issues in Workers’ Comp Webinar Oct. 21 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 Wednesday, Oct. 21, 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.


Travel Advisory:
One travel advisory: Expect slowdowns while traveling on I-90 to the Policy Summit from the west as crews replace several miles of deteriorating concrete panels between Snoqualmie Summit and Cle Elum. We have alternate route suggestions available.. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Costello.


THEY SAID IT
“Just ignore the specifics, because when the president says he welcomes substantive new ideas, he means that if you have the nerve to offer any ideas – as Whole Foods' CEO, John Mackey, did in The Wall Street Journal last month – his allies will attempt to destroy your business and reputation. And when the president says he welcomes bipartisanship, what he means is that he hasn't met with a single Republican on the issue since April – despite numerous requests and two separate House bills chock-full of ideas.” – David Harsanyi, Real Clear Politics


This Week's President's Perspective: What about medical malpractice reform, Mr. President?