Detailed information, including times, specific locations and agendas, is available on AWB’s events calendar. RSVP to AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at 800.521.9325.


Support workers’ comp reform: Contribute to I-1082
Labor unions and trial lawyers are prepared to spend heavily to preserve the state’s broken workers’ compensation system. That’s why it’s critical that Washington employers make their own contributions to the Initiative 1082 campaign. I-1082 would end the state monopoly on industrial insurance and, hopefully, save a system that’s headed toward insolvency. Don’t let the opportunity go to waste. Contribute today and follow the I-1082 campaign on Facebook and Twitter.


Get on waiting list for Policy Summit at Semiahmoo
Semiahmoo Resort has sold out of rooms for AWB’s 21st annual Policy Summit, on Sept. 21-23, but you can have your named added to the waiting list, or learn about alternative lodging. Don’t miss your chance to attend Washington state’s premier public policy summit, and to play a round of golf on one of the Northwest’s great courses. To get on the waiting list, contact AWB’s Chana LaChapelle. If you’ve already booked your room, please be sure to register for the summit. You can follow discussions before and during the summit on Twitter (@awbsummit).


Manufacturing Summit, Sept. 14-15 – Register now!
Have you registered for next week’s Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Summit? It’s not too late to sign up for one of two complimentary programs brought to you by McGladrey and the AWB Institute. Topics include a look at industry and U.S. economic outlook, cost management, and demand for “green” products. Greg Weeks, labor market and economic analysis director of the Employment Security Department, and Tom Murphy, McGladrey’s executive vice president of manufacturing and wholesale distribution, are the featured speakers. One-day events are scheduled for Sept. 14 in Olympia and Sept. 15 in Lynnwood. Both run from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.


Can your employees vote? Launch a workplace voter registration drive
Make sure your employees can vote this fall. Make sure they understand the issues. Between a full slate of ballot initiatives and scores of legislative candidates, the outcome of the November election promises to carry unusually important consequences for the state’s business community. That’s why hundreds of employers are participating in Workplace Voter Registration Drives. Enterprise Washington has everything you need to get started with a voter registration table, an e-mail drive, and talking points for a staff meeting. The Statewide Workplace voter Registration Drive is Sept. 27–Oct. 1. The deadline to register to vote by mail or online is Oct. 4. General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2


Allow extra time when driving to AWB
Construction of a new traffic circle has temporarily closed Jefferson Street at 14th Ave. SE in Olympia, forcing drivers to use a detour to get to AWB’s offices. When coming from I-5, motorists can continue past Jefferson to Capitol Way and follow the detour signs. To return to the freeway, use Union Ave. SE. The road work is part of the state’s construction of a new Department of Information Services building. More details, including maps and a webcam, can be found on the state’s construction website.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
AWB representing employers at Joint Tax Avoidance Review Committee
In addition to raising taxes last session, the Legislature established a Joint Tax Review Committee. The committee oversees the Department of Revenue’s implementation of tax avoidance policy. AWB wants clear advice for taxpayers on how to keep themselves clear of tax avoidance claims from the department. In view of the lack of advice from the department on how taxpayers can stay within the law, AWB believes the state should not be able to enforce the law beyond examples previously given to lawmakers. AWB members are very concerned about this issue, as reflected in the more than 55 members who attended the last Tax and Fiscal Policy Council meeting. The Joint Tax Review Committee next meets Sept. 20. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Final approval of legislative objectives at GAC meeting, Sept. 17
Reminder: AWB’s Government Affairs Council will finalize all legislative objectives on Friday, Sept. 17, at AWB, 9 a.m. – noon. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


OTHER NEWS
New service simplifies reseller permit verification process
The Department of Revenue has created a new tool for businesses to verify their customers’ reseller permit information. The new Reseller Permit Verification Service lets you check to see if your customers’ hold valid reseller permits. It also makes it easier to update your records. After you submit a compatible file, the Department will return current information about all of your customers’ reseller permits. The Legislature also made other reseller permit rule changes this year. For more information, e-mail or call a representative at 360. 902.7137, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Electronic tolling is coming to 520 – Are you ready?
In the spring of 2011, all-electronic tolling will begin on the Highway 520 Bridge in Seattle to help pay for the construction of a new, safer bridge. Good To Go! electronic tolling uses technology to keep traffic moving with no toll booths, stopping or slowing down. Tolls will be collected in two ways: as vehicles drive under an electronic sensor, the toll will be automatically deducted from a prepaid account. Or, if the driver does not have a prepaid account, a photo will be taken of the vehicle’s license plate, and a bill will be sent to the registered owner in the mail. You can get ready for all-electronic tolling on the Highway 520 Bridge by joining the interest list at http://www.goodtogo520.org/, and being among the first to sign up for a Good to Go! pass in January 2011. For more information, contact 888.G2G.WSDOT.


Nominations under way for workforce, economic development leaders
The Workforce Board and Department of Commerce are accepting nominations for the 2010 Governor's Best Practices Awards in Economic and Workforce Development. The annual Governor's Award for Best Practices in Workforce and Economic Development brings statewide recognition to projects and programs that have achieved positive results — particularly achievements that create family-wage jobs, encourage innovation, and promote an environmentally healthy economy — to both the field of workforce and economic development. Deadline is Friday, Sept. 10.


September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness and NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Month in Washington. Special events are scheduled to enable residents across the state to participate in a month-long observance, designed to focus individuals and businesses on preparing for disasters and emergencies. These events include the launch of the new Help 9-1-1, Help You! What’s Your Location campaign to remind residents and children of the importance of knowing their address and location when they call 9-1-1 (Saturday, Sept. 11), a statewide earthquake drill (10:15 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15) and a Tsunami Warning Communications Test for the All Hazard Alert Broadcast sirens in the outer coastal counties. The drill will be initiated through the Emergency Alert System using the Required Monthly Test for broadcasters. More information is available from the Washington Emergency Management Division or by contacting Rosanne Garrand at 253.512.7419.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
AWB Welcomes Disney Institute to Seattle on Sept. 28
It doesn't take any training to recognize that the world's economy has taken a significant downturn. It does take effective and proven professional development training to guide impacted organizations back to the summit. A one-day local workshop, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence program, is a rare and affordable opportunity to learn best business practices from Disney insiders. Organizations from across the nation have learned proven philosophies and implemented effective processes to reap the rewards of improvements in leadership, management, service, and brand loyalty. IMPORTANT: Please use promotional code AWBMNE to receive $50 off per guest when registering. To learn more and to register, go to: http://www.keysseattlewa.com/. No prerequisite training required.


2010 Safety Academy
AWB has partnered with Sedgwick CMS to offer courses for safety and non-safety professionals who wish to increase their safety knowledge and effectiveness in developing and administering safety programs within their companies. Classes will be offered in Spokane, Seattle, Moses Lake and Olympia. You can find class listings and registration information online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello for additional information.


Wage and Hour Compliance: Is Your Business Ready? — Oct. 6
In April, the U.S. Department of Labor released a press release marking the beginning of the "We Can Help" nationwide campaign. The campaign will encourage employees to report wage and hour disputes to the department. The department's Wage and Hour Division agency is armed with 250 new investigators and plans to have 1,000 on board by the close of FY 2011—representing an increase of approximately 50 percent over 2008 levels. The Wage and Hour Division is also partnering with other groups to identify and investigate employers on a nationwide versus local basis. Employers of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and industries must prepare for this growing onset of wage/hour enforcement and litigation. Join us, on Wednesday, Oct. 6, in SeaTac, for this half day seminar to learn how to avoid the DOL's new employee misclassification crackdown and how to avoid crushing lawsuit errors. Register online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


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 Jennifer Costello.


THEY SAID IT
“Initiative 1098 is clearly unconstitutional on the basis of existing case law. Its enactment will only guarantee protracted litigation to determine if the initiative meets constitutional muster.” – Phil Talmadge, former state Supreme Court justice, writing a legal analysis of I-1098


This Week's President's Perspective: Washington Students Would Benefit from Charter Schools