TOP STORIES
Washington state expected to lead recovery from recession
In a new forecast, Moody’s Economy.com suggests Washington and five other states may lead the recovery from the recession. The other states are Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and Texas. With the exception of Texas, which is on the list because of lingering effects of last year’s energy price bump, the states all have concentrations of high tech industries — a sector expected to lead in the recovery. Households in Washington also suffered less economic damage than in most other states because Washington entered the recession late, about a year after the December 2007 start date for much of the country. Moody’s predicts Washington’s bounce back will start in the fourth quarter of 2009. State Economist Dr. Arun Raha will offer additional insight into Washington’s recovery at next week’s revenue forecast on June 18. Read more at the News Tribune.

State Supreme Court expands retroactive liability for manufacturers, sellers
On Thursday, the Washington Supreme Court released its decision in Lunsford v. Saberhagen Holdings, a products liability case involvingasbestos exposure.The court held 9-0 that strict liability applies retroactivelyto all claims, even those occurring before the stateactually adoptedthe rule of strict liability against manufacturers and sellers.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, our national affiliate, filed a coalition friend of the court brief in the case arguing againstretroactive application. The Chamber pointed outthat retroactive application of strict liabilitywould beinconsistent with the court's own recent rulings about retroactivity and particularly troublingfor products liabilitydefendants in the state. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.

 

Microsoft may move jobs out of U.S. if Congress enacts Obama tax plan
The world’s largest software company may move some jobs outside of the United States if Congress approves President Obama’s plans to levy higher taxes on U.S. companies’ foreign profits, said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “It makes U.S. jobs more expensive,” Ballmer said. “We’re better off taking lots of people and moving them out of the U.S. as opposed to keeping them inside the U.S.” The National Foreign Trade Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable all oppose the proposed changes to tax law.

 

 AWB’s Education and Training Committee will meet from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, at AWB.Reps. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way, and Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, will provide an overview of ESHB 2261, sponsored by Sullivan, which modifies the current K-12 school funding model. Joel Sacks of the Employment Security Department will discuss federal Workforce Investment Act funding for education. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.

 

AWB to host meeting on new seller’s permit requirements
AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet with Rob Rice from the Department of Revenue at AWB on Friday, June 10 from 9:30 a.m. - noon. The agency will provide the latest information on the implementation of the new seller’s permit requirement, as authorized by SB 6173, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Seattle. This new law, which affects businesses that buy goods or services for re-sale or wholesale, goes into effect next Jan. 1. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.

McWilliams and Stark at next Health Care Committee meeting, June 23
The next meeting of the AWB Health Care Committee will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23 at AWB. Guests include Mary McWilliams from the Puget Sound Health Alliance, who will discuss the alliance’s work, and Dr. Roger Stark of the Washington Policy Center, who will provide an overview of the work to-date on federal health care reform initiatives.


Industrial stormwater permit now available for review, comments
The Department of Ecology’s new draft industrial stormwater permit is available for review and public comment until Wednesday, July 15.Ecology program staff will present and field questions regarding the new permit at the next AWB Water Quality Committee meeting the week of June 22. For copies of the permit or other documents, contact Julie Robertson at 360.407.6575. Submit written comments to Jeff Killelea, Department of Ecology, PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. DOE will hold workshops on the permit in Vancouver (1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, Vancouver City Council Chambers, 210 East 13th Street); Moses Lake (1 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, Moses Lake Fire Station, 701 E. Third Street); and Mount Vernon (9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, PUD No. 1 of Skagit County, 1415 Freeway Drive). There will also be a workshop and public hearing in Tacoma (1 p.m. on Monday, July 13, Pierce County Library System, Room C, 3005 112th Street E.). Ecology will issue the final permit on Oct. 21. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


OTHER NEWS
AWB Institute receives Wal-Mart Foundation grant

The Wal-Mart Foundation selected the AWB Institute to receive a $30,000 grant. The grant recognizes the Institute’s important work within the communities it serves and will help supplement Institute’s development of a work readiness credential The Institute is honored to receive this recognition. For more information, contact AWB’s Mike Hudson.


Bitten by the wellness bug?
This past session, lawmakers approved legislation that would give small employers health insurance discounts for developing and implementing employee wellness programs. But how do you start one — and will the program fit the needs of your staff? Be sure to check out Investing in Health:Proven Health Promotion Practices for Workplaces, recently published by the Partnership for Prevention. This is a great resource for those unfamiliar with the benefits such a program can bring. It also offers creative ideas for developing a meaningful wellness program. For those who prefer a “menu” approach, check out http://www.employerwellness.org/ for basic program component ideas.For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Order your copy of Washington – The Nature of Innovation
AWB is pleased to offer a beautiful new custom book, Washington – The Nature of Innovation, promoting the economic strengths that make Washington unique. Written by Pulitzer Prize–nominee Bob Condor, the book offers an insightful look at Washington’s storied arts and cultural scene, its universities and colleges, its recreation opportunities and professional sports, and the other lifestyle offerings that contribute to the state’s unbeatable quality of life. The book also discusses Washington’s diverse and robust industries and their impact on the state’s economy and features profiles of companies and organizations that have contributed to Washington’s economic development and success. The book is available for $49.50 for AWB members ($59.50 for non-members) and can be purchased online or by contacting Jennifer Costello or calling 800.521.9325.


Register for Entrepreneur of the Year contest by June 15
Entrepreneur magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year Contest is looking for entrepreneurs who (1) own at least 51 percent of a company with fewer than 100 employees, (2) had gross sales of at least $500,000 in 2008 and (3) have been in business for at least four years, you could win great prizes, including a profile in this widely read publication. Deadline for entry is June 15.


Don’t miss AWB’s new Member Spotlight
Be sure to check out the new AWB Member Spotlight, our online profile of the awards and achievements of AWB members. We’ve recently published stories on Sterling Savings Bank, Blumenthal Uniform Company, Wilcox Family Farms, General Motors, International Paper Company, Railex and O Bee Credit Union. If you have a good news story about your company, send it to AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB is now on Twitter
AWB recently launched a communications channel through Twitter, which allows us to post brief (140 characters) updates about AWB events, ask members quick questions, share breaking news and link to resources. Twitter is the third most popular social networking application on the Internet, right behind MySpace and Facebook. Learn more about the site and start following AWB on Twitter today.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Wage and hour law seminar — Tuesday, 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 AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Government Affairs Council retreat set for June 16-18
The annual Government Affairs Council retreat will be at Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal June 16-18. The retreat will begin on the evening of Tuesday, June 16 and last until approximately noon on Thursday, June 18. There will be panels on local government, environmental issues and the revenue forecast. Rooms will be on a space-and price-available basis. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


Common HR Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them seminar on June 24
Don't let innocent mistakes become costly matters for your company! Whether the issue relates to pay practices, employee classification, discrimination and harassment, labor and employment laws are difficult to interpret and are constantly changing. The good news is that the most common mistakes can be easily avoided. Effective HR practices are at the core of prevention. Join us for this half day seminar on Wednesday, June 24, at the Doubletree Guest Suites Seattle-Southcenter, in Tukwila, which will help you create and implement best HR practices designed to prevent legal problems and identify potential areas where your company may be vulnerable. To register, click here or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


Free safety education Webinars
AWB and Sedgwick CMS 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 company. We have identified that the two most common causes of injuries are overexertion resulting in back and shoulder injuries and slips, trips and falls either from tripping over uneven surfaces, slipping on floors, or falling from heights. We offer free educational Webinars to all AWB members on these topics to help you identify and control these risks in your workplace. For additional information and webinar training dates, click here.


AWB Members save up to 26 percent on UPS shipping!
AWB and UPS have partnered on a new program to help save members time and money.With discounts on UPS Next Day Air^®, UPS Worldwide Express^SM and UPS 2nd Day Air A.M^®, you can save up to 26 percent on shipping costs! Find out how to take advantage of these savings today by calling800.325.7000. Be sure to identify yourself as an AWB member.


THEY SAID IT
“Neither [candidate Barack Obama nor John McCain] dwelt on the fact that cap and trade will raise energy prices, that subsidies for renewable energy will have to be paid for, or that both policies will destroy jobs as well as creating them, while probably cutting growth.” – The Economist, May 28, 2009


This Week's President's Perspective: Cap and Trade is a $650 Billion Tax on All Americans