TOP STORIES
AWB endorses Initiative 1053
By a unanimous vote, AWB’s Board of Directors voted last Wednesday to endorse Initiative 1053 at the spring board meeting in Spokane. The initiative seeks to re-establish the two-thirds vote requirement for the Legislature to increase taxes. Voters approved the requirement in 2007’s Initiative 960, but the Legislature suspended it during this year’s legislative session, and promptly approved nearly $800 million in new and increased taxes. AWB believes the two-thirds majority requirement is an important tool for controlling spending in this state. We urge members to strongly support I-1053, sign petitions to get it on the ballot before the July 2 deadline, and vote for it in the November general election.


Input needed on Initiative 1082 – workers’ compensation
AWB’s Board of Directors also voted to support Initiative 1082, pending a vote of the general membership. The measure would lift Washington’s ban on private workers’ compensation coverage, opening up the state to competition. Washington is one of only four states with a state monopoly on workers’ compensation insurance, and the system desperately needs reform. The initiative arose out of frustration over the Legislature’s refusal to hear even modest bipartisan reform proposals. AWB’s board voted Wednesday to ask our members to endorse I-1082. By now, you should have received an e-mail requesting your vote. Please return your vote by Monday, May 24. If you have not received your ballot, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan. Questions about the initiative can be addressed to AWB President Don Brunell or AWB Vice President of Government Affairs Gary Chandler.


AWB Voting Record
AWB’s Executive Committee has approved the 2010 legislative voting record; watch for a copy to be posted to our website later this week. The voting record and an in-depth legislative wrap-up will be printed and mailed in late June. If you have questions, please contact AWB’s Gary Chandler. Other statewide organizations, such as the Washington State Labor Council, are also publishing their vote records. We’ll share others in Fast Facts as they become available.


Snyder, Fagan and Razore honored by AWB for their leadership and service
Former Sen. Sid Snyder, D-Longview; Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman; and Sanitary Service President Paul Razore received awards for their outstanding civic, volunteer and leadership contributions at AWB’s spring meeting in Spokane. Snyder, a 50-plus year veteran of the Legislature, is the 2010 recipient of the C. David Gordon Award, AWB’s highest award in recognition of lawmakers who distinguish themselves in service to the state of Washington. Fagan, who served on many AWB committees prior to her election to the Legislature, received this year’s Judy Coovert Award, honoring excellence in volunteerism to AWB. Razore, whose company makes tremendous contributions Whatcom County community institutions, received this year’s Bruce Briggs Award, an honor presented each year to an AWB member who gives back to his or her community. “All three of these individuals have contributed to strengthening the fabric of their communities and the environment for businesses to succeed in Washington state,” said AWB President Don Brunell.


Twenty-one organizations receive AWB’s Community Service Awards
AWB recognized 21 Washington employers for making volunteerism and community service a priority for their businesses and their employees. From domestic violence programs to food drives, school supplies donations and sheer volunteer hours, the 2010 AWB Community Service Awards recognize community service contributions by small, medium and large employers from across the state. This year’s awards were presented Tuesday at AWB’s spring meeting in Spokane. “Even during a deep recession, Washington businesses have found ways to give back to their communities and help those most in need,” said AWB President Don Brunell.


AWB honors 10 companies with 2010 Environmental Excellence Awards
Ten Washington state companies received AWB’s 2010 Environmental Excellence Awards for their innovative and environmentally sustainable practices. The honors were presented at AWB’s spring meeting in Spokane on Tuesday. “Whether it’s raising Pacific coho salmon in freshwater or engineering the first hybrid tugboat, Washington state businesses are finding innovative solutions that are both economically and environmentally successful,” said AWB President Don Brunell.


Spotlight on state economy, higher education, health care and the environment at AWB’s spring meeting
AWB members heard from an array of experts at last week’s board meeting. Here is a brief summary of their presentations:

· Compared to last year at this time, things are looking up, according to Arun Raha,
   Washington's chief economist.
· WSU President Elson Floyd made a strong case for fiscal responsibility in higher education,
  calling on university leaders to stop complaining about declining budgets and figure out how to
  manage with the resources they already have.
· McKinstry Vice President David Allen, who helped AWB present the Environmental
  Excellence Awards, discussed the green economy and insisted that business is not getting its
  fair credit for many of the advances in areas like clean technology.
· AWB members heard from a panel of experts, including former Washington State Health
  Authority Director Steve Hill, on where health-care reform is going and how it will affect
  businesses.

Detailed coverage of all of these events is available on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch, including a video of the health-care discussion.


AWB announces early endorsements for Wilcox, Fagan, Taylor, Nealey and Wyatt
AWB’s Board voted to grant early endorsements of legislative candidates and AWB members J.T. Wilcox, R-Roy (2nd District) and Nancy Wyatt, R-Kent (47th District). Additionally, the Board gave early endorsements to the following incumbent legislators running for re-election: Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman (9th District), Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee (15th District) and Rep. Terry Nealey, R-Dayton (16th District). Legislators with a combined two-year score of 80 percent or better on AWB’s voting record receive an automatic endorsement, as do AWB members. View a complete list of all automatic endorsements here. For questions about endorsements, contact AWB’s Gary Chandler.


Columbia-Snake River lock closure scheduled to begin in December
In the next issue of Washington Business magazine, read about the upcoming Columbia and lower Snake rivers closure for water commerce. This crucial waterway will reopen next March after new lock gates are installed at the Dalles, John Day and Lower Monumental dams. Read about what it means for Washington’s economy and how AWB members are working to solve this temporary challenge. Watch for the new issue to hit mailboxes in June.


AWB continues to support Boeing’s bid for replacement tanker
At the spring meeting in Spokane, Tom Conard, director of business development for Boeing tanker programs, updated members on the U.S. Air Force’s RFP process for the aerial refueler replacement for the KC135. Boeing has submitted its bid for the replacement. The NewGen 767 tanker is already is part of the Italian and Japanese air forces. The contract is worth $35 billion and will generate more than $100 million in revenue to Washington. AWB continues to push for the approval of the Boeing bid.


Senate introduces climate and energy bill
Following eight months of negotiations, Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., introduced a discussion draft of their comprehensive energy and climate change legislation last week. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had been the sole Republican sponsor of the bill, withdrew his support earlier this month due to disagreements over offshore drilling and immigration reform. Called the “American Power Act”, the bill requires a 17 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2020; 42 percent by 2030; and an 83 percent reduction by 2050. The cap-and-trade program established initially targets power plants in 2013, followed by manufacturers three years later. The bill would pre-empt the ability of states to implement cap-and-trade programs to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and prohibit EPA from applying Clean Air Act regulations to sources covered under the federal cap-and-trade program. It would also authorize EPA to impose performance standards to certain stationary sources not covered by cap-and-trade regulation as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. AWB has advocated that global climate change policy should addressed at the federal level, and member organizations are reviewing the 987-page bill, and a section-by-section summary, which will be discussed at the next AWB climate change subcommittee meeting later this summer. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe or Grant Nelson.


NFIB joins health-care lawsuit against federal health-care reform
The National Federation of Independent Business joined 20 states Friday, including Washington, in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal health-care reform legislation. Specifically, the lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the law’s mandate for individuals to buy insurance. “This law is the first time the federal government has required individuals to purchase something simply because they are alive,” said NFIB President Dan Danner. “If Congress can regulate this type of inactivity, then there are essentially no limits to what they can mandate individuals to do.”


Form 1099 reporting requirement challenged
Republican California Congressman Dan Lungren has introduced legislation to repeal a portion of the new health-care law that will require businesses to use Form 1099 to report to the Internal Revenue Service all payments to corporations in excess of $600 for goods and services. Lungren’s Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act (H.R. 5141) would repeal section 9006 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires any business that purchases more than $600 of goods or services from another business to submit a 1099 form to the Internal Revenue Service. The National Small Business Association has set up an online advocacy effort here where you can send letters of support to Congress.


Sen. Ken Jacobsen announces retirement
State Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, announced Monday that he will not seek re-election, raising the total of departing state legislators to 18. In a statement issued by the state Senate Democrats, Jacobsen cited high blood pressure as the reason for his decision. “This has been the best job of my life, and I’m honored that voters of the 46th Legislative District have supported me for so long,” Jacobsen said. He has served the district for 28 years, according to a blog post by Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner.


Several insurers expand dependent coverage on June 1
Federal health-care reform requires insurers to extend coverage to dependents up to age 26, beginning Oct.1, this year. However, numerous insurers are voluntarily extending this coverage beginning June 1. Employers offering dependent coverage can add these dependents as they would any other (at the employee's request, there is no requirement to automatically enroll these adults). Insurers in Washington that have announced they will be extending this coverage in June include Regence, Premera, Group Health and its affiliate Kitsap Physician Services, Kaiser and Aetna. Contact your insurer if not included in this list or with specific questions.


Your comments on Ecology’s new stormwater strategy due by May 28
The Department of Ecology recently released its draft stormwater monitoring and assessment strategy for Puget Sound. Comments on this new strategy are due Friday, May 28. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Department of Ecology needs your input on Shoreline Management Act rules
The Department of Ecology plans to revise parts of the Shoreline Management Act rules and needs your input. The changes include adjustments to rules on limited and comprehensive amendments to local shoreline programs. Send your comment by Saturday, June 5, to have input on Ecology’s early draft. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
May 19, 20 climate change meetings in Seattle, register now
The Department of Ecology and the Western Climate Initiative will host two climate change meetings this week in Seattle. On Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., the Greenhouse Gas Benchmark Symposium will address how benchmarks could play a role in a cap-and-trade program or industry emissions requirements. Then on Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., the WCI will host its regional partners stakeholder meeting. Both meetings are at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Congressional Insight into Health Care Reform on Thursday, May 20
Congressmen Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, and Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, will share their thoughts and answer your questions on the new health care reform legislation passed in March (via conference call). In addition, Hunter Goodman from the State Attorney General's office will discuss Washington's involvement in the lawsuit against two aspects of the reform. We encourage all interested members to attend this important meeting Thursday, 9 a.m. - noon, at the AWB office in Olympia. Contact AWB’s Donna Steward for more information.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
AWB to sponsor Bigfoot Social Media Conference
AWB is a lead sponsor of Bigfoot, a new conference focused on social media and social networking for business. Thirteen top experts, including three nationally known keynoters, will share what works and what hasn't in their use of social networking for large and small business. AWB is also sponsoring and moderating a special breakout panel on the use of social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to influence politics and policy for business. Take 10 percent offthe $199 registration right now using the discount code word: AWB. Click here to register and view the complete list of speakers and sponsors, or contact Frank Kenny at 360.275.4267.


AWB members save up to 26 percent on UPS shipping!
AWB members can save time and money thanks to our partnership with UPS! Save up to 26 percent on shipping costs with discounts on UPS Next Day Air^®, UPS Worldwide Express^SM and UPS 2nd Day Air A.M^®. Find out how to take advantage of these savings today by calling 800.325.7000 or click here to enroll in the program to begin receiving discounted rates! Be sure to identify yourself as an AWB member.


Let our preferred merchant services provider save you time and money!
AWB encourages you to take advantage of our exclusive partnership with FrontStream Payments (formerly Fast Transact, Inc.) for merchant services and credit card processing. As a preferred merchant, you can be sure to benefit from guaranteed savings and customizable options that fit your business needs. Increase sales, save time, save money. It’s that simple! Getting started is easy. Call 800.687.8505, ext. 156 for your free analysis or e-mail Kathy.adams@frontstreampayments.com.


THEY SAID IT
“I tried to figure it out, but it's all Greek to me." – Dr. Arun Raha, executive director of the Washington State Economic Forecast Council, commenting on the Greek financial crisis at AWB’s spring meeting last Wednesday


This Week's President's Perspective: Income tax would hurt Washington’s entrepreneurs