TOP STORIES
AWB’s spring meeting starts tomorrow – Spotlight on health care
AWB’s spring board meeting gets underway tomorrow and continues Wednesday at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. A highlight of the agenda this year is a panel discussion on the new health-care reform law and how it affects your business. The expert panel includes Steve Hill, former administrator of the Washington State Health Care Authority and a member of the Governor’s Health Cabinet. We will stream the discussion live on our blog, Olympia Business Watch, beginning at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday and also record it for those who are unable to attend. Also on the agenda: Dr. Elson Floyd, president, Washington State University; David Allen, executive vice president, McKinstry Co.; Dr. Arun Raha, executive director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council; the presentation of AWB’s annual Community Service and Environmental Excellence Awards; and reflections on the 2010 legislative session by AWB’s Government Affairs staff. Registration is available at the door.


AWB files challenge to Referendum 52 ballot title
AWB filed a ballot title challenge today to Referendum 52, which seeks voter approval to issue $505 million in bonds to fund energy efficiency upgrades in school buildings. As written, the ballot title does not inform voters that a temporary bottled-water tax would become permanent if the measure is approved. This information should be included in the language for the sake of transparency with the voters. Referendum 52 grew out of HB 2561, also known as the “Jobs Act,” sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish. The bill authorizes the state to issue general obligation bonds above the constitutional debt limit to make energy efficiency upgrades in public schools and higher education facilities. Voters will decide whether to approve the proposal in November. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Governor signs state operating budget

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the state operating budget on Tuesday with some vetoes. One veto reduced the Legislature’s planned reserves by approximately $30 million, leaving approximately $450 million to cover increased costs or lower-than-expected tax collections. AWB has consistently opposed this budget because it lacks sustainability and relies too heavily on tax increases that will not help business bring back the economy from recession. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Financial reform legislation moving forward in Congress
Financial reform is moving forward after a failed GOP measure aimed at substituting a version of a consumer financial regulatory agency. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, argued for it, saying "The fact is, this agency is more about using this crisis as an opportunity to slip a vast new European-style regulatory bureaucracy past the American people than it is about holding Wall Street accountable." Republicans are continuing to push for changes in the Senate bill, arguing that it would hurt small businesses.


Rosa Franklin leaving Washington State Senate, Rep. Conway will run for her seat
Veteran legislator Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma, will not seek re-election in November. She is the 17th lawmaker this year to retire or announce plans to seek another office. In an e-mail to her colleagues and staff, Franklin said, “Twenty years has been a roller coaster ride, had its high points and low points, beautiful scenery and mud puddles. All said and done it was worth it all. Now I am saying ‘Operator let me off this ride – it is someone else’s turn.’ Everyone should try it once!” Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, the chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, announced he will leave his House seat and run for Franklin’s Senate seat.


Washington Insurers Expand Health Insurance Access to Adult Dependents Ahead of Federal Timeline
Federal health-care reform legislation passed in March requires health insurers to include coverage for adult dependents up to age 26 on their parents’ health insurance policies beginning in October 2010.Throughout the country, several insurers have agreed to offer this coverage early, including several insurers in Washington. Premera, Group Health and its affiliate Kitsap Physician Services, Kaiser and Aetna, will begin offering this coverage on June 1. Employers should be aware that the offering applies only to those employers and health plans that currently provide coverage to dependents.If you are not currently offering coverage for dependents you will not be required to do so.If you are currently offering coverage, you may require employees to pay the same amount for this coverage as they do any other dependents already enrolled on your plan.For further information, please contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Small Employer Tax Credit to Provide Health Care Coverage
Many small employers in Washington were recently notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they may be eligible for a new tax credit for providing health care coverage to their employees. The credit involves a complex eligibility process and will reduce the tax deduction employers currently receive for providing such coverage. AWB encourages small employers interested in taking advantage of the new tax credit to discuss the potential increased tax liability from the potential reduction in the tax deduction with their accountants prior to filing for the credit. AWB has prepared a nuts-and-bolts overview of the credit as well as Q&A from the questions we have received on the credit so far.For further information, please contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Resource Center to help businesses comply with stormwater requirements
In an effort to assist businesses in complying with stormwater permits, AWB led an effort to pass HB 2222 during the 2009 session. The legislation requires the Department of Ecology to create a stormwater technical resource center, which will serve as a statewide information clearinghouse to provide research, technical assistance and training to businesses. AWB and member organizations are participating on an advisory committee, which held its first meeting today, to help direct the efforts of the resource center. Members who are permitted under the industrial and construction stormwater general permits are encouraged to contact AWB’s Grant Nelson for more information and to provide input on how the resource center can best serve your business.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Water Quality Committee/MTCA Task Force meeting on May 17
AWB’s Water Quality Committee and MTCA Task Force will meet Monday, May 17, 9:30 a.m. – noon at AWB. The meeting will include an update on appeals filed on the Industrial Stormwater General Permit, the Stormwater Technical Resource Center, permit fees and the MTCA/sediment management standards rule revisions currently underway. The committee will also discuss the Department of Ecology’s newly released draft stormwater monitoring and assessment strategy for Puget Sound, and comments that are due May 28. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


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 in Seattle. On May 19, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. is the Greenhouse Gas Benchmark Symposium, which will address how benchmarks could play a role in a cap-and-trade program or industry emissions requirements and on May 20, 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.


OTHER NEWS
Six AWB members get thumbs up from Webby Awards
The Webby Awards, the Internet’s version of the Oscars, has recognized six AWB members – Cheezburger Network (Pet Holdings), Google, Health Net, Intuit, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for online excellence. Read more about this story on AWB’s Member Spotlight. If you have good news to share about your company, contact AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


Washington Business Week open for students, needs business advisers
Washington Business Week is accepting registrations now for its 35th annual summer program lineup where high school students learn about business and entrepreneurship. The program also needs adult advisers. Sterling Financial Corp. recently sent this letter to its employees, which may be used as a template for other businesses. Register online as either a student or mentor. To learn more, watch this video or contact Steve Hyer, executive director, at 253.815.6900.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
AWB to sponsor Bigfoot Social Media Conference
AWB is now a lead sponsor of Bigfoot, a new conference focused on social media and social networking for business. This fun and interactive event has been designed to get you up to speed on social networking tools for your 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 networking to influence politics and policy for business. Register now and take advantage of the early bird rate of $149 (normally $199) through Friday, May 14. Lunch and breaks are included in pricing. Plus, AWB members get an additional 10 percent off right now using the discount code word: AWB. Click here to register and view the complete list of speakers, 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
“The 2009-2011 supplemental budget recently enacted by the state Legislature, which increases taxes by $800 million, does not deal a fatal blow to any particular industry. Instead, legislators this year decided on the “death by a thousand cuts” approach to raising taxes. Unfortunately, much of the tax increase falls directly on consumers and the business community, big and small.” – Carl Gipson, Washington Policy Center


This Week's President's Perspective: Economic landmines buried in federal legislation