TOP STORIES
Ballots in the mail this week – Don’t sit out this election!
Keep your eyes peeled for the November ballots. County election departments are required to mail ballots for the November election by Friday, and many will start sending them out on Wednesday. Remember to fill out your ballot and send it back before Nov. 2 – the sooner, the better. This is not an election you can afford to miss. Between a full slate of ballot initiatives and scores of candidate races, the outcome will go a long way toward deciding whether the weak economic recovery gains momentum or falls into a second recession. Initiative 1098 (income tax), Initiative 1082 (workers' comp) and Initiative1053 (two-thirds vote to raise taxes) are among the most important issues this fall. If you’re not registered to vote, it’s not too late. You can still register in person at your county election office through Oct. 25. And be sure to check out AWB’s complete list of endorsements before casting your vote.


Microsoft and Boeing oppose Initiative 1098
Washington’s biggest manufacturer and its biggest software company are officially opposing Initiative 1098, which would establish a state income tax. Executives for the Boeing Co. and Microsoft Corp. both weighed in against I-1098 last week, saying it would harm businesses by raising costs for suppliers and making it harder to attract talent. Microsoft and Boeing are only two among many employers opposing this misguided ballot measure. Also, The Olympian newspaper joined the list of papers that are opposed to I-1098, saying in an editorial that Washington needs “serious top-to-bottom tax reform,” but it must protect small businesses from drowning in tax debt “because they are the generators of new jobs.” Follow the campaign to Defeat 1098 on Facebook and Twitter.


Protect your wallet. Vote YES on I-1053!
Irresponsible. Out of touch. Really expensive. And a little bit wasteful. That's how state government is depicted in a new video released last week by the Yes on 1053 campaign. Initiative1053, which seeks to restore the two-thirds requirement for the Legislature to raise taxes, would protect taxpayers from a Legislature that will surely be tempted to raise taxes again next year in order to plug the state’s estimated $4.5 billion budget gap. The video is proving to be a big hit thanks to its use of humor – check it out and share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail. Also, you can contribute to I-1053, and follow Yes on I-1053 on Facebook and Twitter.


Stop tax hikes and save Washington jobs – vote YES on I-1082
Washington should have fixed its industrial insurance system years ago, but the Legislature has never mustered the political will to defy the opposition mounted primarily by organized labor. That’s what The Spokesman-Review said Sunday in its editorial endorsing Initiative 1082, a measure that will end the state monopoly on workers’ compensation insurance. The endorsement came a few days after The News Tribune also came out in favor of the measure, noting that I-1082 has the overwhelming support of the state’s business community. “Experience elsewhere shows that when workers’ compensation markets are opened to private competition, businesses see their costs for insuring works drop or stabilize,” the TNT said. Follow the I-1082 campaign on Facebook and Twitter.


Judge rules federal health-care law is constitutional
A federal judge in Michigan dismissed one of the more than 15 legal challenges to the new federal health-care law, becoming the first jurist to rule the law constitutional. But Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, who has signed onto a similar Florida case, noted that there are more than 20 separate lawsuits challenging sections of the health-care law, and he said this decision will be appealed. “A single decision by a judge in one trial court does not shake our belief that Congress does not have the power under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution to impose the individual health insurance mandate on the American people,” McKenna said. “The Michigan court’s decision yesterday stands the Commerce Clause on its head and on appeal should not be sustained.” Two other higher profile cases, one in Florida and one in Virginia, are headed toward hearings on the issues that were decided in Michigan.


Everything you need to know about card check – Register now!
Card check is not dead. It is still a top priority of unions and their allies in Congress. In order to educate the business community on this threat to the secret ballot in workplace unionization drives, the U.S. Chamber will host two free events this week. The schedule is Thursday, Bellevue Hyatt, 7:30 – 9 a.m.; and Thursday, Weyerhaeuser, Federal Way, noon – 1:30 p.m. Register in advance through Bellevue Chamber of Commerce or Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Johnson.


Fall 2010 Washington Business magazine out next week
The Fall issue of AWB’s quarterly magazine, Washington Business, is due out next week and it features plenty of election-related articles in addition to features on the growing number women in manufacturing and a profile of the town of Forks, which is capitalizing on the Twilight craze. Watch for it!


AWB offers ideas for how the state can save money and protect jobs
Last Monday, AWB sent Gov. Chris Gregoire a letter outlining our ideas on how Washington state can save money during the current budget crisis and protect against additional job loss and harm to our state’s fragile economic recovery. Among our suggestions: End SEPA/EPA greenhouse gas reduction guidance, suspend the state’s low carbon fuel standards program, reject the Department of Ecology proposal to double the size and cost of its Water Quality Permit Fee Program to $36 million per year, and rethink legislation to increase water right fees on water right applicants, including those who have already paid the fee and are waiting in line, as well as on existing water right holders.


AWB seeks help from Sens. Cantwell and Murray on upcoming EPA biomass rule
AWB President Don Brunell sent letters to Washington’s two senators last week requesting a meeting to discuss an EPA rule finalized in May that could bring about unintended negative consequences for the state’s $16 billion forest products industry. The so-called “tailoring rule” sets emissions limits for biomass-powered boilers and incinerators that no current boilers could meet. The rule could also hurt Washington’s burgeoning efforts to utilize waste wood for renewable energy production. The rule is scheduled to be implemented at the end of the year, leaving a narrow window to encourage EPA officials to change course. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


AWB opposes expansion of Children’s Safe Products Act
Last week, AWB submitted a letter to the Department of Ecology outlining our members’ concerns with draft agency request legislation that would greatly expand the Children’s Safe Products Act (CSPA), passed in 2008. The CSPA expansion legislation would apply to virtually every product manufactured and sold in Washington State, driving up costs for product testing, alternatives analysis and increase reporting fees. AWB believes it is unwise, especially given our current economic challenges, to impose additional burdens on business, prior to the draft rule implementing the Act even being available for public comment. For more information, including a copy of the AWB letter, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


AWB supports Attorney General Opinion on Minimum Wage
Last week, AWB sent a letter to the governor in support of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s opinion that the current state minimum wage should be maintained through 2011. Washington’s minimum wage is the highest in the nation at $8.55 per hour, and we are one of only a handful of states where the minimum wage is automatically tied to the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). That CPI-W has not yet returned to the level it was prior to the economic downturn, so it is therefore illegal and unwise to increase the minimum wage rate, and in doing so, harm Washington businesses that are struggling just to keep the doors open. The governor is poised to announce whether she will side with state Department of Labor & Industries Director Judy Schurke who requested the opinion, and was set to issue a press release announcing that the minimum wage would remain at $8.55 until the governor put a hold on that announcement. For more information, including a copy of the AWB letter, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Save the date: AWB Legislative Reception & Lobby Day in Olympia, Feb. 3
Join us Feb. 3 for our annual legislative briefing and reception at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia. Then join us the following morning, Feb. 4, for meetings with your lawmakers on the Capitol Campus. Our new expanded Legislative Day includes informative panels to bring you up-to-date on business issues that are a priority in the 2011 session. Learn how these issues will affect your company and our state’s competitiveness and help us carry the message to elected officials at the reception. Then, help your legislators understand how your business is affected by decisions that are made in Olympia and encourage them to promote policies that create a positive economic climate for Washington employers and their employees. AWB’s Legislative Reception and Lobby Day is one of the best places to network with business peers and meet with elected officials and agency directors face-to-face. More details to come soon.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Department of Revenue will discuss new tax at Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting, Wednesday
The Department of Revenue has made changes to its draft tax avoidance rule. The changes clarify that if a taxpayer reports tax pursuant to specific written instructions, a published determination, or other document issued before May 1, 2010, the department will not find tax avoidance to exist, either before or after May 1, 2010. Additionally, the new draft rule eliminates references to the date of Jan 1, 2011, and any impacts derived from that date. Representatives from the department will present this revised draft rule and take your comments at the next Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – noon, at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


U.S. Chamber and Washington Health Care Authority to discuss health insurance exchanges
AWB’s Health Care Committee will meet Tuesday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. at AWB.This meeting will focus on the new federal health-care reform requirement for the development of insurance exchanges.Guests include Katie Hays from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Richard Onizuka from the Washington Health Care Authority. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Workers’ Comp Coalition meeting on Oct. 21
The next Workers’ Comp Coalition meeting (Thursday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. – noon, AGC, 3601 20^th ST E, Fife) will focus on legislative and political issues, including coalition priorities, recent discussions with legislators, the status of proposals in the governor’s business-labor working group, an update on Initiative 1082, a report on the progress of the coalition’s wage simplification project, and an assessment of some of the insurance trends data that has come out of L&I in recent weeks. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Ecology and Commerce staff at next Land Use Committee meeting, Oct. 21
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Thursday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. – noon at Perkins Coie. Department of Ecology staff will discuss two possible shorelines-related bills as well. Department of Commerce staff will comment on two possible Growth Management Act-related bills for the 2011 legislative session. The committee will also discuss implementation of AWB’s 2011-12 Land Use and Construction Legislative Objective. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Education and Training Committee meeting rescheduled for Oct. 28
AWB Education and Training Committee meeting, originally scheduled for tomorrow, will instead be held Thursday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. at the TrueBlue offices in Tacoma. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


OTHER NEWS
Wireless pioneer John Stanton at SPU’s Distinguished Speaker Series, Nov. 1 – RSVP now!
Each year Seattle Pacific University’s School of Business and Economics welcomes a business executive of national prominence for its Distinguished Speaker Series. Sponsored AWB’s HealthChoice, this year’s speaker is John Stanton, chairman of the board of Trilogy International Partners. A wireless industry pioneer, Stanton co-founded three of the top-10 wireless operators in the United States in the last 25 years. He served as COO and vice chairman of McCaw Cellular Communications, chairman and CEO of Western Wireless Corporation, and chairman and CEO of VoiceStream Wireless. Additionally, Stanton served as co-chair of the state’s Regional Transportation Commission. Stanton will speak Monday, Nov. 1, noon – 1:30 p.m., at SPU. A table of 10 is reserved for AWB. Eight spots are available. To RSVP, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan.


Online computer skills courses now available for WorkSource customers
The Employment Security Department and Microsoft are offering more than 1,000 online courses to WorkSource customers to help them increase their computer skills and to be more competitive in today’s job market. WorkSource customers now have unlimited free access to Microsoft’s comprehensive e-Learning library. The library includes a broad array of classes, including basic computer skills, Microsoft Office software and advanced technical courses, ensuring that there is something for everyone regardless of current computer skill level.Register at Go2WorkSource.com or at your local WorkSource office.


Coinstar and F5 Networks make Fortune’s Fastest Growing Companies of 2010 list
Even a bad economy can’t keep Washington’s businesses down. Two AWB members, Coinstar and F5 Networks, made Fortune’s list of Fastest-Growing Companies of 2010. The magazine based its rankings on criteria including growth in revenue and earnings per share of at least 15 percent annually over three years ending on or before April 30. Share your company’s good news with AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
OSHA 10-hour certification course in DuPont – Oct. 12-13
Get current on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 12-13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the State Farm Education Center in DuPont. At completion of the course, you will receive an official course completion card from OSHA. This card will be useful during an inspection, as it demonstrates your efforts and commitment to voluntary compliance with all OSHA standards and regulations! Register online or contact AWB’s Chana LaChapelle.


Forklift: Train the Trainer workshop – Nov. 4
Proper forklift safety training will make your company a safer place to work — and keep you in compliance with the law. Attendees who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion, a CD of workshop materials and a PDF manual they can reproduce to train their own employees on proper forklift safety. Register online or contact AWB’s Chana LaChapelle.


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THEY SAID IT
“If Mr. Gates Sr. and his son feel so strongly about taxing the rich, they should simply give the state a chunk of their own money and be done with it. Leave the rest of Washington's taxpayers alone.” – Arthur Laffer, Wall Street Journal, op-ed on Initiative 1098


This Week's President's Perspective: Averting a national train wreck