TOP STORIES
Governor calls for budget reform
Gov. Chris Gregoire unveiled a new budget-building process last week aimed at helping the state address an estimated $3 billion shortfall for 2011-13. "There are no sacred cows. We're going to ask new and challenging questions about every single program in state government," Gregoire said at a press conference. Among the questions: Is an activity an essential service? Can it be performed by an entity outside state government? Can it be eliminated or delayed? As part of the effort, Gregoire also announced the appointment of a panel of leaders from outside government, including AWB President Don Brunell, to provide input on state spending. This isn’t the first time Gregoire has called for the sacrifice of sacred cows, The News Tribune noted with a dash of skepticism. In order to be a success, the exercise must produce real reforms that shape the governor’s budget proposal.


Friday deadline rapidly approaching for tax and workers’ comp initiatives – Your help needed now.
If you haven’t already signed petitions supporting Initiatives 1053 and 1082, time is running out. Friday is the last day to turn in petitions to get initiatives onto the November ballot. AWB strongly encourages members to contribute money and help gather signatures for I-1082, which would lift Washington’s ban on private workers’ compensation insurance and I-1053, which would restore the two-thirds vote requirement to raise taxes. The I-1053 campaign is close to receiving enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, but still needs your financial help to push it over the finish line. For more information, including how you or your company can contribute to I-1053, contact AWB’s Amber Carter. More information about 1-1082, including how to gather signatures, is available here. Or, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Anti-state income tax campaign goes online
Alarmed by the prospect of a state income tax? Now you can go online and sign the pledge to defeat Initiative 1098, a ballot measure that seeks to impose an income tax on Washingtonians for the first time. Supporters of the tax plan appear to have enough signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot. If they do, and if the initiative passes, it is bad news for the state. I-1098 tax will raise taxes by $1 billion at a time when our state can least afford it. It will hurt small businesses, reduce job creation and weaken our fragile economy. For more information on the campaign to stop this misguided initiative, visit Defeat1098.com.


Liquor sales privatization Initiative 1100 will likely be on November ballot
Supporters of Initiative 1100 delivered boxes of petitions to state elections officials Wednesday, making it likely that voters will get to decide in November whether to end the state’s monopoly on the sale and distribution of hard liquor. According to the campaign, spearheaded by Costco, the petitions included more than 390,000 voter signatures. About 241,000 valid voter signatures are required to qualify for the ballot. The state will likely verify the petition drive in early July.


Gregoire joins with three other governors to fight lawsuit against health-care reform
A federal judge denied a request last week from Gov. Chris Gregoire and the governors of Colorado, Michigan and Pennsylvania to weigh in against the lawsuit challenging the new health-care reform law. Gregoire and the other governors sought permission to file a brief in support of the Obama administration's motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit filed by the Florida attorney general in March, and joined by 20 states, including Washington. The suit also challenges the law’s massive expansion of state Medicaid programs as an assault on state sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson said the request was not appropriate at this stage, but left the door open to future participation.


Make your voice heard in opposition to Congress’ new financial reform legislation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Marching For Main Street: A Virtual March On Washington campaign is generating grassroots opposition to Congress’ financial regulatory reform legislation. The House and Senate reconciled their versions of the bill on Friday with the goal of delivering it to President Obama by July 4. Before the president receives the bill, the Senate and House will have to approve the bill’s final version. Let your voice be heard today without leaving your computer by writing a letter to Congress and standing up for America's job creators against this badly crafted legislation that greatly expands government regulation and control over the private sector.


New document from NAM points way to strengthen manufacturing
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released a new strategy document today that lays out a plan for supporting jobs and U.S. manufacturing economy in the face of unprecedented global competition. The Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America calls on Congress to think and act strategically when working on economic policies, making the United States the best country in the world to headquarter a company, the best place to innovate and do research, and the best place to manufacture. Manufacturing is essential to the U.S. economy and to our economic recovery. Hopefully, policymakers will read, understand and act on the important information in the strategy.


Tax on carbonated beverages take effect this week
The price of soda pop and other carbonated beverages will go up Thursday. Lawmakers approved nearly $800 million in new taxes this year, including those taxes on so-called “sin” or discretionary items including beer, candy and soda pop. To help you keep track of it all, AWB has compiled a comprehensive list of the nearly three dozen new taxes enacted during the 2010 legislative session and when they become effective. Depending on the outcome of a proposed ballot initiative, some of the new taxes may not be in effect for long. State elections officials said last week that supporters of Initiative 1107, which would roll back the tax increases on pop, bottled water, candy and some processed meats, have an appointment Friday to turn in signed petitions.


Department of Revenue needs your input
The Department of Revenue is beginning the yearly process of getting stakeholder comments on potential agency request legislation for 2011. The department needs to receive these comments by Thursday, July 1. Send your comments to AWB’s Amber Carter.


Unemployment benefits will rise next month
Unemployment insurance benefits will rise next month thanks to the recession, according to the state’s Employment Security Department. The loss of numerous low-paying jobs helped increase the average annual wage by 1.9 percent to $47,153, in Washington in 2009. The average wage is used to determine unemployment-insurance benefits. Because of the average wage increase, the minimum and maximum unemployment benefits will rise for new unemployment claims beginning next month. The maximum weekly benefit, calculated at 63 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase $10 to $570. Average annual wage is also used to calculate employers’ unemployment taxes. Beginning in 2011, employers will pay taxes on the first $37,300, up from $36,800, officials said.


AWB 2010 Vote Record, Judicial Scorecard due out in July
AWB’s 2010 Vote Record, the new Judicial Scorecard will The Vote Record and Legislative Review includes a comprehensive voting record for the governor, House and Senate on key business issues, as well as in-depth analysis of the top issues for the 2010 session. AWB members will also receive the 2010 Judicial Scorecard in the mail later next month. This publication includes a thorough evaluation of the Washington Supreme Court justices on cases of importance to the employer community and business in Washington state.


Happy Fourth of July! AWB closed July 2-5
Just a reminder: AWB will be closed Friday, July 2 – Monday, July 5. Next week’s Fast Facts will be published on Tuesday. We wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Initiatives on agenda at Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting, July 7
AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will discuss tax initiatives that get certified for the November ballot and make recommendations on endorsements at its Wednesday, July 7 meeting at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Arun Raha at AWB’s GAC retreat
Arun Raha, the state’s chief economist, will speak next month at AWB’s Governmental Affairs Council retreat. There will also be forums on environmental issues, tax and fiscal policy and state ballot measures. The retreat will be held July 12-14 at the Alderbrook Resort on beautiful Hood Canal. 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 July 2, 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.


OTHER NEWS
AWB’s comments on draft SEPA guidelines on greenhouse gas emissions now online
AWB submitted its comments to the Department of Ecology’s recently released Draft SEPA Guidance on Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. While AWB supports a single, national program developed by Congress for addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it does not support piecemeal, state-level greenhouse gas reduction efforts, including using SEPA to address this issue. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Healthcare Blue Book an invaluable source on health services
The Healthcare Blue Book is a free consumer guide to help you determine fair prices in your area for health services. If you pay for your own health care, have a high deductible or need a service your insurance does not fully cover, the Blue Book can help. The Blue Book will help you find fair prices for surgery, hospital stays, doctor visits, medical tests and much more.


Five AWB members named clean technology leaders in Northwest
In this week’s Member Spotlight: key personnel with from Horizon Wind Energy, Lane Powell, McKinstry and Pacific Power were named Pivotal Leaders in promoting clean technology in the Northwest. Share your company’s good news with AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
ABC’s Gary Langer at Policy Summit at Semiahmoo – Sept. 21-23
Mark your calendars for AWB’s 21st Annual Policy Summit. Gary Langer, director of polling for ABC News and an expert on electoral trends, will provide insights on America’s political pulse as the November election approaches. Matthew Bishop, American business editor of The Economist magazine, will also provide his insights on where the economy may be heading. Join us this fall at scenic Semiahmoo Resort. To register, click here or contact Jodi Martinez at 800.521.9325.


Become a sponsor of AWB’s premier event
Don’t forget to secure your sponsorship of AWB’s Policy Summit by Tuesday, July 6 so your company is included in promotional materials. There’s no better place than the AWB Policy Summit for an informative and engaging look at what’s ahead. Summit sponsorship is $2500, and a response form is available online by clicking here. As a sponsor, your company receives acknowledgement before, during and after the event in marketing materials, signage and AWB’s magazine, Washington Business. Click here for a detailed agenda. To become an event sponsor or to register, contact Jodi Martinez at 800.521.9325.


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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.


To learn about more upcoming AWB events, visit our online events calendar.


THEY SAID IT
“We can’t turnto state government and expect it to do it all. We’re going to have to say some of the things that people have relied on … can no longer be performed by state government.” – Gov. Chris Gregoire


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