TOP STORIES
I-1053 and I-1082 campaigns hit full gear
Now that the hard work of gathering signatures for Initiatives 1053 and 1082 is complete and they appear headed for the November ballot — pending certification from the Secretary of State — the real work begins. AWB strongly supports both initiatives, but powerful interest groups, including labor unions, oppose these measures and are willing to use enormous amounts of cash to defeat them. AWB members’ financial support of I-1053 and I-1082 is critical.

To recap: I-1053 forces a two-thirds vote of the Legislature before any new taxes are approved. This is an essential taxpayer protection that will be especially important once the 2011 legislative session begins amid a deep budget gap and pressures to find revenues or face cuts. I-1082 will bring private competition to the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system. This is an important first step in fixing a system that becomes a bigger financial burden on employers with each passing year. Meanwhile, I-1098, which would create a state income tax and discourage employers from spending on creating new jobs, is also on the ballot. Your financial help is essential in order to defeat 1098.


AWB questions claims that regional climate change mitigation efforts will boost economy
A study commissioned by the state Department of Ecology claims Washington’s economy would grow by $3.3 billion and add 19,300 jobs if a regional plan to mitigate climate change takes effect in 2012. The regional plan was designed bythe Western Climate Initiative, and includes a cap-and-trade system to regulate greenhouse gas emissions through the distribution and sale of carbon permits.The study assumes that higher energy costs will encourage industrial, commercial and residential consumers to invest in energy efficiency measures; such investments are predicted to increase jobs related to the manufacture and installation of energy efficient equipment and produce savings that increase household disposal income and industrial output. The basic premise is that as climate policies drive up the cost of energy, more jobs will be created. While AWB supports well-crafted national climate change efforts, we question Ecology’s findings that claim higher energy prices will create jobs and boost the economy when analyses of proposed climate change policies in California and Congress have predicted a decrease in gross domestic and state product. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Can it be?No AWB members can utilize the new federal health-care tax credit?
Last week, we encouraged AWB members with 25 or fewer employees to evaluate whether they are eligible for the federal health-care premium tax credit and to let us know whether they qualified and if it would be beneficial for them to seek the credit.Of the numerous responses received, not a single member said they could use the credit.This information is very important to AWB as we continue to press legislators for more meaningful ways to help make health-care coverage more affordable to employers.If you have not had an opportunity to do so, please review the quick reference chart and the credit estimator and let Donna Steward know whether you qualify and if so, whether you can take advantage of the credit.Please share the results whether you are eligible or not.


BMW/SGL Group breaks ground on Moses Lake carbon fiber plant
Good economic news for central Washington: The BMW/SGL Group broke ground on constructing a carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake last Wednesday. The plant will build components for BMW’s lightweight electric Megacity Vehicle, due off the line by 2013. The plant will open in 2011 with 80 workers and is expected to increase to 200 workers. Among the major reasons BMW chose Moses Lake for the factory was the area’s plentiful and cheap electrical power from clean, renewable hydroelectric dams.


AWB welcomes Kris Johnson as vice president of operations
Please join us in welcoming Kristofer T. Johnson aboard as AWB’s vice president of operations. Johnson was formerly president of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, he led the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kennewick, where he served on the AWB Board of Directors. “Kris is an extremely talented organizational manager and a dynamic leader,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “He brings an array of valuable skills to our leadership team to help AWB in the years ahead.” Johnson succeeds Dick Walter, who will retire at the end of the year, but will continue working part time in areas including membership development, investments and benefit programs.


Financial analyst Carolyn Reece joins AWB’s staff
AWB also welcomes Carolyn Reece, who began work with AWB today as a financial analyst and will assist with payroll. Prior to her current position, she was a financial analyst for the Westfield – Capital Shopping Mall in Olympia. Welcome, Carolyn!


Don’t miss Business Week’s 35th anniversary celebration, Sept. 17
Over the last 35 years, Washington Business Week has helped to educate and inspire thousands of high school students to recognize their potential as responsible employees, employers and citizens. Join AWB and other friends of Business Week on Friday, Sept. 17 from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to celebrate its past, present and future successes aboard the MS Zaandam at Terminal 91 in Seattle. Registration is required. Deadline is Thursday, Sept. 6. RSVP to 253.815.6900 or Janice@wbw.org.


AWB publications win 6 Magnum Opus awards
Once again, AWB did very well in the annual Magnum Opus competition, the top national communications competition for magazines, newsletters, electronic communications and special communications and publications.Judging for the Magnum Opus competition is done by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism.Washington Business has been a consistent award winner in this competition since it first published in 2002.This year, AWB received six awards, including four for our magazine, one for our annual report, and one for our 2009 Legislative Review and Vote Record. We are the only state chamber or state manufacturing association to win awardsin this year's competition.


Become a sponsor of AWB’s premier event
Today is the last day to secure sponsorship and get your name included in promotional materials for AWB’s Policy Summit. The deadline was extended one week, so don’t miss this opportunity to be part of AWB’s premier event. There’s no better place than the AWB Policy Summit for an informative and engaging look at what’s ahead. Summit sponsorship is $2,500, 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. To become an event sponsor or to register, contact AWB’s Jen Costello at 800.521.9325.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Underground storage tank rule being revised
The Department of Ecology is updating its underground storage tank rule and WAC 173-340-450 to meet state and federal requirements. The department is hosting a meeting with interested stakeholders tomorrow, 9:30 a.m. – noon, at Ecology’s NW Regional Office in Bellevue and intends to have a draft out for review and comment in September. AWB’s MTCA Task Force will meet later this summer with the department regarding the rulemaking. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


Legislative objectives on agenda at next Land Use Committee meeting, July 21
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Wednesday, 10 a.m. – noon, at Perkins Coie in Seattle and continue discussion of AWB’s Land Use Legislative Objectives for 2011-12. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Health Care Committee to finalize legislative objectives, July 21
The AWB Health Care Committee will meet, Wednesday, July 21, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. The 2011 health-care legislative objectives will be finalized during this meeting. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Education and Training Committee meeting rescheduled for July 30
Due to scheduling conflicts, the July 22 AWB Education and Training Committee meeting is being moved to Friday, July 30, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB.For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Next Workers’ Comp Coalition meeting, Aug. 10
The Workers’ Comp Coalition will meet Tuesday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. – noon, at the new AGC offices at 3601 20^th St. E., in Fife. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


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.


OTHER NEWS
Attention, King County business owners: Make your voice heard in job sector survey
The Seattle Chamber of Commerce has launched an online job sector survey to unearth measurable data about the sentiments, challenges and aspirations of King County businesses. This information will be presented to decision makers at all levels, including other business leaders, elected officials and opinion leaders. The survey is open until Friday, July 23. As added incentive to participate in this survey, one lucky winner will be selected from the completed surveys for two round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines.


Twenty-one AWB members make Best of the Northwest list
In this week’s Member Spotlight: Twenty-one AWB members made the Seattle Times’ Best of the Northwest list of publicly traded companies. Share your company’s good news with AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Learn what health-care reform means to your business
President Obama signed landmark legislation on health-care reform into law, and the impact on employers is substantial and complicated. For the first time, many employers will be subjected to penalties if they do not offer coverage to employees or if the coverage fails an affordability test. Some requirements go into effect now, and others are phased in over the course of several years. Down the road, employers also could be affected by a new tax on costly health insurance plans if health care plan costs continue to rise. To help employers keep up with the latest developments, we have developed a webinar series to address key provisions on health care reform and explain how it will affect your company. To view webinar topics and dates click here. To register, contact AWB’s Jen Costello Jen Costello at 800.521.9325.


NBC’s Gary Langer at Policy Summit at Semiahmoo – Sept. 21-23
Gary Langer, ABC News’ director of polling, will headline AWB’s 21st Annual Policy Summit. Langer will discuss on America’s political pulse in advance of the November election. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the insights of this expert on American politics. Also at the Policy Summit, Matthew Bishop, American business editor of The Economist magazine, will discuss the American economy. Join us this fall at scenic Semiahmoo Resort. To register, click here or contact AWB’s Jen Costello 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 Jen Costello.


Shipping and fuel costs are on the rise- the AWB Freight Program can save you money
AWB can help you receive up to 78 percent off the carrier's base rates. The AWB Freight Program is designed with your needs in mind. Choose local, regional or transcontinental service with over 80 LTL carriers throughout the US and Canada. Whether you’re shipping from Seattle to Spokane or Moses Lake to Newark — you’re covered. Inbound, outbound or drop ship, you schedule the carrier when you need from your computer. Track your shipments, manage multiple locations and users, compare rates, new shipments, plus more — all from your computer. To demo the website and compare our rates to your current rates, click here. For questions contact Jen Davis at 800.521.9325.


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


THEY SAID IT
“We are, without question, in a period of decline, particularly in the business world. The real problem we have… are some of the worst economic policies in place today that, in my judgment, go directly against the long-term interests of this country.” - Mort Zuckerman, publisher, New York Daily News


This Week's President's Perspective: Pulaski’s gift