TOP STORIES
Judge agrees with AWB, orders changes to R-52 ballot title
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy ruled Friday in favor of AWB’s argument that Referendum 52’s ballot title should inform voters that a temporary bottled-water tax would be extended if the measure is approved. In addition, the judge ruled that references to “job creation” are inappropriate and should be removed from the title. Kris Tefft, AWB’s general counsel, successfully argued that job-creation is a hoped-for outcome of the measure, but there is no guarantee it will occur and it is primarily a slogan meant to sway voter opinion. “Our purpose in challenging the ballot title was to advance the public interest in a ballot that is accurate, transparent and doesn’t try to sway voters one way or the other,” Tefft said. “Our position was successful and the new ballot title ordered by Judge Murphy accomplishes those goals.” For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Climate change resolution defeated in U.S. Senate
Senate Republicans failed Thursday to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s plan to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. A resolution that would have blocked the agency’s greenhouse gas rulemaking fell four votes shy of reaching the 51 votes needed to proceed to a roll call vote. AWB contends the Act was never intended to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Congress, not EPA should enact a national approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a way that protects our economy, grows jobs and prevents foreign companies from gaining a competitive advantage over U.S. companies. Read AWB President Don Brunell’s letter to Sens. Murray and Cantwell in support of the resolution here. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Early retiree reinsurance program will run out of money by 2013
The $5 billion early retiree reinsurance program established by the new health-care reform law will run out of money well before the program expires at the end of 2013, according to an analysis from the Employee Benefit Research Institute released last week. Beginning this month, the program will reimburse employers with early retiree health-care programs for a portion of their claims costs. According to the analysis, the government will provide $2.5 billion this year for reimbursement of claims incurred starting June 1, but the program will probably run out of money in 2011. What’s more, the study fails to mention that private businesses must compete with state governments for the limited funding. Once large states like California, New York and Florida, begin drawing money from the fund, very few dollars will be left for private businesses. While the subsidy is intended to provide employers with an incentive to maintain early retiree health care coverage, in the long term, the health-care reform legislation will “create significant incentives for employers to drop coverage.”


Like your current health coverage? You may not get to keep it after all
An early draft of an Obama administration regulation estimates that many employers will be forced to make changes in their health plans under the new law, the Associated Press reported last week. That’s despite President Obama’s repeated promise during the health-care debate that people who like their current coverage will be able to keep it. According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), under a worst-case scenario, 80 percent of small-employers will lose grandfathered rights by 2013. New plans would have to comply with all of the bill's requirements; grandfathered plans could avoid elements such as limits on cost sharing. "What we are getting here is a clear indication that most plans will have to change," said James Gelfand, health policy director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "From an employer's point of view that's a bad thing.”


Workers’ comp and taxes initiatives need your help
July 2, the last day to turn in petitions to get initiatives on the November ballot, is just around the corner. AWB is encouraging its members to contribute money and help gather signatures for Initiative 1082, which would lift Washington’s ban on private workers’ compensation insurance, and Initiative 1053, which would restore the two-thirds vote requirement to raise taxes. I-1053 is a response to the Legislature’s decision this year to suspend the voter-approved two-thirds vote requirement, a move that preceded passage of nearly $800 million in new taxes. For more information, including how you or your company can contribute, contact AWB’s Amber Carter. I-1082 would lift Washington’s ban on private workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Washington is one of only four states with a state monopoly on workers’ comp insurance, and the system desperately needs reform. More information about the measure, including how to gather signatures to make sure it appears on the November ballot, is available here. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft. For a good perspective on the initiatives from AWB President Don Brunell, see this TVW interview.


Kari Burrell named governor’s new executive policy director
Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced the appointment of Kari Burrell as the new director of the Governor’s Executive Policy Office. Burrell is currently the governor’s executive policy advisor for human services. She was a policy advisor under Gov. Gary Locke in 2001. She replaces Robin Arnold-Williams.


AWB Institute stormwater questionnaire due Friday
Is your business required to comply with the state’s Industrial or Construction Stormwater General Permit? If so, you may have received a short questionnaire via e-mail from Grant Gilmore, executive director of the AWB Institute. The survey is intended to help the Stormwater Technical Resource Center determine how to best suit the needs of businesses permitted under the industrial and construction stormwater permits. The center, to be located at the Washington State University Puyallup Research & Extension Center, is the nonprofit established as a result of AWB-led legislation in 2009. It will deliver training tools and assistance for stormwater permit compliance. The questionnaire, also sent to members of AWB’s Water Quality Committee, focuses on key problem areas related to stormwater permit compliance issues and technical assistance needs. Please return completed surveys by Friday. If your business has a stormwater permit and you have not received a questionnaire, or if you would like more information, please contact AWB Institute’s Grant Gilmore.


Department of Ecology revises SEPA guidelines on greenhouse gas emissions, needs public comment
The Department of Ecology recently released its Draft SEPA Guidance on Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Ecology will take written public comment on this draft guidance until Friday, June 25. Comments should be sent to sepaguidance@ecy.wa.gov. AWB will discuss the issue at its Thursday Climate Change Subcommittee meeting. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Important AWB climate change meeting Thursday
AWB’s Climate Change Subcommittee will meet Thursday, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. The subcommittee has an action-packed agenda that members will surely not want to miss, including the development of Washington-specific data related to climate change and updates on pertinent state and federal climate related efforts. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson or Chris McCabe.


I-1082 on agenda at Friday’s Workers’ Comp Coalition meeting
AWB’s Workers’ Comp Coalition will meet this Friday, 10 a.m. – noon at AWB to discuss workers’ comp reform Initiative 1082. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Water Resources Committee meeting on June 21
AWB’s Water Resources Committee will meet Monday, June 21, 10 a.m. – noon at AWB. In response to E2SSB 6267, the committee will hear from Evan Sheffels of the Department of Ecology on ideas the agency has for reforming the agency’s Water Resources Program. In addition, the language mentions a study of fees and possible increases which were opposed by AWB last year. Additionally, we will discuss AWB’s agenda and possible legislative objectives for 2011-12. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Health Care Authority representatives at next Health Care Committee meeting, June 21
AWB’s Health Care Committee will meet Monday, June 21, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. Representatives from the Health Care Authority will provide overviews of the small employer Health Insurance Partnership and the nonsubsidized Basic Health Plan offerings. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Education and Training Committee meeting, June 23
AWB’s Education and Training Committee will meet at AWB on Wednesday, June 23, 9 – 11 a.m. The agenda will be announced soon. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Attention manufacturers: Ecology updating solid waste laws that could affect you!
The Department of Ecology is updating RCW 70.95 and other laws governing hazardous and solid waste. Product manufacturers should especially be aware of this effort, which may be used to develop new product stewardship legislation that requires manufacturers to fully fund collection, recycling and disposal programs after the end of a products useful life. This endeavor is designed to move the agency’s Beyond Waste Plan towards a goal of “zero waste” and was the subject of seven recent statewide workshops. Members are encouraged to learn more on Wednesday, June 23 from 1 – 3 p.m. at AWB when agency program staff members will present the department’s plans and answer questions regarding this important topic. For more, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Land Use Committee meeting, June 24
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Thursday June 24, 10 a.m. – noon, at Perkins Coie in Seattle. The committee will begin discussions of AWB’s 2011-12 land use legislative agenda. We will also discuss Ecology’s draft SEPA guidance on greenhouse gas emissions, and an update on the FEMA draft model floodplain ordinance. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Environmental issues on center stage at AWB’s GAC retreat
Climate change and Puget Sound water quality remain top environmental priorities for federal, state and local policy makers and the business community. This year’s AWB Governmental Affairs Council retreat, scheduled for July 12-14 at the Alderbrook Resort on beautiful Hood Canal, will feature two panels on these important topics. Call Alderbrook at 360.898.2200 and mention you are reserving a room for the retreat. The deadline for reserving rooms is noon, this Friday. After that, the rooms will be released and reservations will be considered on a space and rate availability basis. Cost for the GAC retreat is $220, including all meals and meeting costs. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


AWB Regional Membership and Board Meetings set for August, September
AWB’s Regional Membership and Board Meetings are open to all AWB members and prospective members, and provide an excellent opportunity to hear directly from local legislators. Candidate endorsements are also on the agenda. This fall’s meetings are scheduled for:

•Aug. 31 — Tacoma
•Sept. 1 — Vancouver
•Sept. 2 — Bellevue
•Sept. 8 — Spokane
•Sept. 9 — Tri-Cities
•Sept. 9 — Yakima
•Sept. 10 — Moses Lake
•Sept. 14 — Mount Vernon
•Sept. 15 — Mountlake Terrace

More detailed information, including times, specific location and agendas, is available on AWB’s events calendar.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
ABC News’ Gary Langer at Policy Summit at Semiahmoo – Sept. 21-23
Start making plans now to attend AWB’s 21st Annual Policy Summit. Gary Langer, director of polling for ABC News and one of the most informed experts on political trends will provide insights on America’s political pulse as the November election approaches. Additionally, Matthew Bishop, American business editor of The Economist magazine, will provide his insights on the economy. Join us this fall at scenic Semiahmoo Resort. To register, click here or contact Jodi Martinez at 800.521.9325.


2010 Manufacturing Excellence Awards accepting nominations
AWB’s awards recognize manufacturing firms for their contributions to growing our economy and improving quality of life. Awards will be given to a small, medium and large manufacturer in the following categories: Green Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Innovation and Manufacturer of the Year. Download the nomination form here. Awards will be presented at a special luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 22, in conjunction with AWB’s annual Policy Summit at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine. For more information, contact AWB’s Jodi Martinez.


Learn new business security standards for accepting credit/debit cards
Does your business accept credit or debit cards? If so, are you in compliance with the new security standards? Credit card companies and acquirer banks can levy stiff fines and remove your ability to process credit card transactions if you are not in compliance. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI/DSS) applies to every organization that processes credit or debit card information, including merchants and third-party service providers that store, process or transmit credit card/debit card data. Join us for the Truths About PCI Compliance Webinar on Tuesday, June 22, 10 – 11 a.m. This seminar is free for AWB members. For more information click here or to register, contact AWB’s Jodi Martinez.


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THEY SAID IT
“Politicians are addicted to spending and revenue extraction. As with an addict, there's little pause for moral or legal contemplation.” – David Malpass, global economist


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