TOP STORIES
Senate health care bill up for committee vote tomorrow
The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a 10-year, $829-billion bill to expand health care coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said. The controversial bill, primarily authored by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., does not include a public option, but it does include an expensive individual mandate and a ban on denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions. It is opposed by nearly all Republicans and many Democrats. Read the Associated Press story on seattlepi.com.


Gov. Gregoire talks workers' comp reform at aerospace summit
Last week, Gov. Chris Gregoire signaled that she may be willing to consider changes to the state’s workers’ compensation system due to Boeing’s consideration of building a new 787 assembly line in South Carolina. At last week’s third-annual Governor’s Aerospace Summit in Spokane, the governor stated: “Let me say I have heard your concerns about our workers’ compensation system. I will work with you to improve our system. We must remember we can only address the issues in workers compensation if we collaborate. Business, labor and lawmakers will have to find common ground. I am committed to finding solutions that truly improve our system, helping workers and employers alike.” Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Green River Valley business owners fear devastation from flooding
Nearly half of the business owners surveyed about potential flooding in the Green River Valley said they could not survive a closure of more than 24 hours. The vast majority (82 percent) said they could not afford to be shut down for more than one week, and just about 5 percent said they could survive a closure of more than a month. The survey, prepared by Cocker Fennessy, Inc., was intended to help officials assess awareness of the flood risk posed by the weakened Howard Hanson Dam, and determine how best to communicate with businesses. More information about Green River Valley flooding, including links to resources, is available through the King County Flood Control District. Be sure to keep tabs on the Washington State Emergency Management Division's business Web site, too, for the latest news on Green River Valley flooding and other emergencies affecting businesses in the state. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Gregoire appeals to business: Plan ahead for H1N1 flu
The good news is that the H1N1 flu virus has a remained a mild disease, Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a recent letter to the state's business community. Even so, it could have a large impact on the state's workforce because of its apparent targeting of children and young adults. Business leaders should review their plans now to make sure they are prepared to keep their doors open in case a large number of workers fall ill or stay home to care for sick children. Gregoire recently hosted a summit on the H1N1 flu, also known as the swine flu. AWB, the business liaison to the state's Emergency Management Division, participated in the summit. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting Oct. 14
Representatives of the Department of Revenue will discuss implementation of the state’s new digital goods law and their proposed agenda for the 2010 legislative session when AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meets Wednesday in Seattle. In addition, AWB’s legislative agenda — recently adopted by the AWB Board of Directors — will be discussed with an eye towards drafting possible bills for next year’s legislative session.Finally, representatives from the Washington Policy Center will discuss their draft study on the Texas margins tax and its potential impact on Washington state’s tax ranking.Don’t forget that this meeting is eligible for CPA continuing education credits. The meeting is Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – noon, at Deloitte, 925 4^th Ave, No. 3300, Seattle. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


AWB Climate Change Subcommittee to focus on federal climate legislation and state reporting rule
Two weeks ago, Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., unveiled their 821-page version of U.S. climate change legislation.Dubbed the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act, S. 1733 proposes even more aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions than H.R. 2454, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June. The Senate bill calls for a 20 percent reduction in emissions by 2020, instead of a 17 percent reduction, and an 83 percent reduction by 2050. The Senate version also would provide the Environmental Protection Agency with a broader grant of authority to regulate green house gases compared to the House version. Learn more about this measure, plus the Department of Ecology’s state greenhouse gas reporting rule and legislation for 2010, at the next AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meeting Friday, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Transportation Secretary Hammond at Oct 28 Transportation Committee meeting
State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond will speak to AWB’s Transportation Committee at its next meeting Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


L&I to hold hearings on proposed 7.6 percent rate increase
The 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.


Learn how to set up shop in Switzerland
Business owners interested in learning how to operate in Switzerland can sign up now for a breakfast meeting next month in Seattle. The Swiss government is working with the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and KPMG International to put on the event titled “Switzerland: Your International Management Gateway to Europe.” Topics include how to access funding, tax planning, corporate structures, support for start-ups and available of qualified workers. Delegates include representatives of the Swiss economic development agencies and KPMG. The meeting is 7:15-9:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Renaissance Seattle. 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.


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 on Tuesday, 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.


Ecology’s draft greenhouse gas reporting rule open for public comment
The Department of Ecology’s proposed draft greenhouse gas reporting rule is open for public comment. Information regarding 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 mentioned in last week’s Fast Facts. Public comments are due by Thursday, Nov. 12. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


OTHER NEWS
AWB membership increases
AWB’s finished its fiscal year on Sept. 30 with 6,821 members which is an increase of 428 over last year. Our membership on Oct.1, 2008, was 6,393.Thank you.


Coca-Cola Sr. Vice President headlines AWB Distinguished Lecture Series at Seattle Pacific
Bonnie Wurzbacher , senior vice president of global customer leadership for The Coca-Cola Company, is the 2009 speaker for the annual distinguished lecture series at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle at noon on Thursday, Oct. 22. Wurzbacher will address bringing meaning to work. AWB’s HealthChoice sponsors the annual lecture series at SPU’s School of Business and Economics. For information, contact SPU at 206.281.2992. The 2008 speaker was Scott Carson, former president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Co.


Campaign for Free Enterprise
Tune in on Oct. 14 for the launch of the Campaign for Free Enterprise. AWB is a partner in the campaign designed to talk about the importance of our market-based, free enterprise system.


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. . Submit comments through Wednesday, Oct. 28. Members of the business community are strongly encouraged to share their thoughts.


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
“Somewhere between 70 percent and 80 percent of all people are happy with their health care. Take the poorest people in this country and give them money to buy health insurance. Don’t screw up everyone else’s relationship with his doctor and hospital.” – Ben Stein, actor/author/economist/lawyer/presidential aide, at Washington Policy Center Annual Dinner, October 6


This Week's President's Perspective: American innovation will bring America back