TOP STORY
Governor’s climate change proposal creates a whole new set of economic challenges for Washington
AWB’s Subcommittee on Climate Change voted unanimously Thursday to oppose HB 1819, sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Des Moines; and SB 5735, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island. The governor’s legislation directs theWashington State Department of Ecology to develop and implement a cap and trade program that will impose expensive new fees on companies who produce greenhouse gas emissions, threatening thousands of family-wage jobs. “We believe the governor’s proposal creates a whole new set of costs for employers struggling to keep people working,” said AWB President Don Brunell. HB 1819 will be heard tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. in the House and SB 5735 will be discussed at 11 a.m. in the Senate. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Anti-employer union neutrality bills to be heard tomorrow
The so-called Worker Privacy Act, HB1528, sponsored by Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, and SB 5446, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, will be heard at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3., in the House Committee on Commerce & Labor and at 1:30 p.m. that same day in the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. This is the state AFL-CIO’s top legislative priority, as well as AWB’s top human resources/employment law priority to defeat. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.


AWB UnemploymentInsurance Committee meeting on Feb. 4
AWB’s Unemployment Insurance Committee will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 8-10 a.m. at AWB. The state’s UI system is taking center stage in a number of major discussions relating to the governor’s stimulus package.The pros and cons of this approach will be discussed. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600.


I-937 fixes to be heard Feb. 4
The Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee will take up the Initiative 937 debate on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 3:30 p.m. At the Jan. 19 hearing on HB 1133, sponsored by Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, AWB testified in support of changes to the law that would count a larger mix of renewable energy sources, including hydropower, giving greater flexibility to utilities in complying with existing law. AWB opposes this bill because it would increase standards to 20 percent by 2025 without the addition of sufficient tools for utilities to attain those higher standards. For more information, contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.


Hewitt and DeBolt at AWB’s Lobby Lunch on Feb. 5
The next Lobby Lunch will be this Thursday, Feb. 5, beginning at noon at AWB. This week’s guests are Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, and House Minority Leader Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis. Attendees should RSVP by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3. Individual lunches are $14. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande at (360) 943-1600.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
AWB’s priority land-use legislation introduced in House
HB 1736, sponsored, Rep. Dean Takko, D- Longview, would limit the amount of time that local governments can prohibit development based on “concurrency” under the Growth Management Act. This bill will decrease urban sprawl by providing greater density and infill within the urban growth areas, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. AWB is currently working to get a hearing on the bill. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.

Manufacturing tax incentive picks up powerful ally in Senate Majority Leader Brown
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane,recently added her support to keepthe current sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing machinery, equipment, repair and replacement parts, and research and development. In a recent blog post, Brown said her caucus has “no plans to end that tax exemption. If anything, we intend to expand the tool kit of incentives to spur investment now.” Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch, and don’t miss this guest column on the M&E incentive from AWB member Mark Sonderen of Sonderen Packaging in Spokane. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


CLARIFICATION: HB 1056 and HB 1092
The Jan. 26 issue of Fast Facts provided the wrong description of HB 1056, sponsored by Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, requiring annual revaluation of property. The bill that was incorrectly referenced, HB 1092, also sponsored by Takko, would revise notice requirements for changes in property tax valuations to no longer reflect land and improvement values separately beginning in 2010. AWB supports HB 1056, but does not support HB 1092. For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


Senate passes government belt-tightening measure
The Senate passed AWB-supported SB 5460, sponsored by Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, which directs state agencies to freeze state hiring, prohibits state agencies from signing non-emergency personal service contracts and bans state-paid travel or training except for direct client services and emergencies. This action provides approximately $105 million in immediate savings. For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


Paid family leave: End it, don’t expand it
AWB opposes two bills designed to expand the suspended paid family leave program: HB 1609, sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, and SB 5679, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines. The benefits would be supported by a two-cent-per-hour payroll tax, imposed on the employer but deductable from the employee.The House version contains a referendum clause on the payroll tax requiring voter approval; the Senate version does not.AWB continues to support HB 1160, sponsored by Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee, and SB 5558, sponsored by Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, which would repeal the unfunded program.Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.


Bill linking Growth Management Act and climate change heard in House
AWB testified in strong opposition to HB 1490, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island, which would require local governments to incorporate climate change and greenhouse gas reductions into land use planning under the Growth Management Act. The bill will result in significant new burdens on local governments as well as a huge increase in litigation and appeals in the land use permitting system. AWB believes this misguided approach will cause even greater uncertainty and unpredictability in an already struggling development and real estate market. For more information, contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.


Senate passes bill to improve job skills training programs
The Senate has passed SB 5554, sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. AWB supports this bill, which would make the existing job skills training program more efficient and give priority to job skills funding applicants who are part of a consortium or cluster-based approach. For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


AWB resists cost-increasing workers’ comp bill
AWB asked lawmakers at a hearing in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee not to act on SB 5627, sponsored by Sen. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle. The bill would make the workers’ compensation appeals process slower, more expensive and more adversarial — like traditional civil litigation. AWB also opposes its companion bill, HB 1402, sponsored by Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.


Bill to reduce small business paperworkapproved by Senate
The Senate has passed SB 5042, allowing a one-time waiver for penalties and interests associated with paperwork violations. AWB supports this bill, sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, because it would reduce paperwork burdens for employers.For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


Senate approves measure providing employers with greater access to business-customized training
SB 5616, sponsored by Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, passed the Senate. This AWB-supported measure would revise the customized training program to ensure greater access by employers.This is done by removing the burdensome eligibility requirement of an increase in jobs by 75 percent.Given the current economic conditions, retention of existing jobs is critical.For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


House passes bill to provide immediate fiscal savings
AWB testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1694, sponsored by Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, to provide immediate fiscal savings for the 2007-2009 budget. The House passed the bill.This legislation reinforces the decisions made on hiring freezes, travel restrictions and other savings. AWB supports this first step on immediate savings and is looking to the Legislature to enact long-term reforms to bring greater stability to the budget process. For more information, contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600.


OTHER NEWS
Emergency physical loss loans approved for 36 counties following winter storms
Farm Service Agency emergency physical loss loans have been approved in 36 Washington counties due to winter storms that occurred Dec.14-Jan. 15.Click here for more information.


Family businesses more profitable when family’s input is considered, according to new survey
A study of family businesses in the Pacific Northwest found that family firms that considered the family’s input when making business decisions were typically more profitable than those who do not. This is a hotly debated issue in the family business academic community, as some believe a family’s interests are misaligned with business interests and drag down performance, while others believe the family’s advice adds significant value to the bottom line.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Register now for AWB’s Legislative Reception and Annual Issues Briefing
Gov. Chris Gregoire will deliver the keynote address and Attorney General Rob McKenna will be the luncheon speaker at AWB’s Legislative Reception at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia on Wednesday, Feb. 11. This event is a great opportunity to network with other AWB members, elected officials and agency directors. It’s also a great chance to enhance your company’s visibility through a sponsorship. To register or become a sponsor, click here or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.


AWB holding issues briefings throughout the state
AWB President Don Brunell is holding a series of briefings around the state to discuss the budget shortfall and other challenges facing lawmakers this winter. Meetings will be held Wednesday, Feb. 18 (Yakima and Tri-Cities); Thursday, Feb. 19 (Walla Walla and Moses Lake); Friday, Feb. 27 (Vancouver); Tuesday, Mar. 10 (Tacoma); Wednesday, March 11 (Spokane); Tuesday, March 24 (Redmond); Wednesday, March 25 (Mountlake Terrace and Seattle); and Wednesday, April 15 (DuPont). For more information click hereor contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 to RSVP.


Emergency planning and disaster management seminar Feb. 19 — is your business prepared?
Emergencies and disasters often strike when we least expect them. The best measure that all of us can take is to be prepared. Attend AWB’s one-day seminar and learn how to prepare and apply survival plans to any type of disaster. For more information, click here or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.


Get in compliance for 2009!
Washington’s minimum wage has increased from $8.07 to $8.55 per hour. Additional significant changes have been made to the required state and federal employment posters as well — click here to view the other changes. Order your updated poster set today to ensure your company is in complete compliance with state and federal labor law posting requirements. To order an updated state and federal poster set, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.


FROM THE PRESIDENT
This week’s President’s Perspective: Forest industry focuses on renewable energy