TOP STORIES
Washington’s unemployment rate rose in September
Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to an estimated 9.3 percent in September, up from a revised rate of 9 percent in August, according to the state Employment Security Department. The estimated rate for August had been reported as 9.2 percent last month, but it was revised downward after more analysis. The state lost an estimated 16,000 non-agricultural jobs in September, seasonally adjusted, after an estimated loss of nearly 12,000 jobs in August. Read more.


U.S. Chamber calls on America to add 20 million jobs in 10 years
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched an ambitious campaign last Wednesday aimed at helping America create 20 million new jobs in the next decade. The multi-million dollar, multi-media Campaign for Free Enterprise calls on the nation to "dream big" and to rely on the principles of free enterprise to replace the seven million jobs lost during the Great Recession, and add 13 million on top of that. The campaign includes radio, television, print and online advertising, as well as ways for individuals to participate directly by signing a pledge of support and sharing their free enterprise experience. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


AWB files friend of the court briefs in two important Supreme Court cases
Earlier today, AWB filed friend of the court briefs in the Washington Supreme Court on two important cases under appeal, Sound Infiniti v. Snyder and Tobin v. Dept. of Labor & Industries. The first case involves the ability of a former shareholder of a corporation to maintain a number of different kinds of lawsuits against the corporation.The second involves an attempt by the state trial lawyers’ association to keep more money away from L&I and self-insured employers when a third party is at fault for a workplace injury and a recovery is made against the negligent party.AWB was joined in the second brief by the Washington Self-Insurers Association. For more information or a copy of either brief, contact Kris Tefft.


Senate Finance Committee approves health care bill
The Senate Finance Committee approved a bill last week that would spend $829 billion over the next 10 years to expand health care coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans. 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. The committee vote was on a partisan basis with the Democrat majority supporting it and the Republican minority opposing it with the lone exception of Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who voted for the bill. Now it must be combined with other Senate health care bills before going to the Senate floor for a vote. Read the Associated Press story.

Alaska Airlines saves fuel and cuts emissions without government mandates
In the current issue of Alaska Airlines magazine, CEO Bill Ayers talks about the fuel savings and greenhouse gas reductions under its Greener Skies initiative launched last year with Boeing and the Port of Seattle. These savings come from Alaska’s upgrade of its fleet with modern, fuel-efficient Boeing 737s, and from employment of satellite-based gliding technology in its landings. Alaska and other airlines are undertaking these initiatives without the prodding of federal or state legislation or mandates.They are doing it because it was a way to stay in business.Saving fuel costs and being more environmentally friendly make good business sense.Market-based, free enterpriseworks. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


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
Transportation Secretary Hammond at Oct 28 Transportation Committee meeting
State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond will speak to AWB’s Transportation Committee on 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
Next week, the state Department of Labor & Industries will host a series of six public hearings on its proposed 7.6 percent hike in workers’ compensation taxes. AWB, which has called on lawmakers to reform the workers’ comp system, encourages members to attend and share their comments. A number of common-sense reforms are needed, 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: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., L&I Office, 12806 Gateway Drive
• Tumwater: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m., L&I Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
• Vancouver: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia St.
• Bellingham: Thursday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Bellingham Quality Inn, 100 E. Kellogg Road
• Spokane: Friday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m., Spokane Airport Ramada, 8909 W. Airport Dr.
• Richland: Friday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m., Richland Hampton Inn, 486 Bradley Blvd.

AWB strongly encourages its members to come and share their concerns with L&I about raising taxes without reforms to reduce costs. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


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 greenhouse gas (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
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.


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.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Developing Issues in Workers’ Comp Webinar, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
Workers’ compensation 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 tomorrow, 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
“What Democrats should be doing is working with Republicans on a sensible plan to gradually introduce reforms that would inject more market discipline into the health sector, thus making coverage more affordable for everybody. If, however, they insist on trying to pass something like the Baucus plan instead, they should be informed of the consequences, whether they like them or not. As matters stand now, if the Baucus bill were to become law, in a couple of years Congress would be forced to take up the issue again to clean up the mess the bill will have created.” – James C. Capretta, National Review


This Week's President's Perspective: What happens in Spokane won’t stay in Spokane