TOP STORIES
Make your voice count: Fill out your ballot now
After a long election season, ballots were sent out last week. You probably received yours by now. Please take the time to fill it out and mail it in. There are too many important issues affecting our economy for you to sit out this election. With your vote, you can help change policies that are holding back our state’s economic recovery. 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. And be sure to check out AWB’s complete list of endorsements before casting your vote.


I-1098: “A disingenuous, backdoor effort to impose a state income tax”
The Port Orchard Independent joined the long list of newspapers opposing Initiative 1098. In its Thursday staff editorial, the paper said, “Instead of raising revenue, I-1098 would cost the state money and jobs because it would encourage the most productive among us to flee the state for less confiscatory locales, taking with them assets that could have been invested here. I-1098 isn’t economic policy. It’s a disingenuous, backdoor effort to impose a state income tax by appealing to your envy and resentment of the very people who sign your paycheck.” Read the Washington Research Council’s policy brief on I-1098. Follow the campaign to Defeat 1098 on Facebook and Twitter, and check out the campaign’s new TV ad.


Protect your wallet. Vote YES on I-1053!
A new radio ad from the Yes on 1053 campaign hit the airwaves throughout the state this week, urging voters to protect their wallets by voting yes on the initiative. It notes the projected state budget shortfall that lawmakers will encounter when they arrive in Olympia this January, and asks where they will go to fill it if taxpayers don't have the protection of I-1053. "The same place they went this last legislative session," the narrator answers. "Your wallet." Remember that I-1053 brings back the two-thirds majority requirement for the Legislature to raise taxes. It is your wallet’s best protection. Contribute to I-1053, and follow Yes on I-1053 on Facebook and Twitter.


Save Washington jobs, bring down workers’ comp rates – vote YES on I-1082
With rates constantly rising, employers know Washington’s expensive workers’ compensation system is badly in need of overhaul. I-1082 will end the state monopoly on workers’ comp insurance and allow private carriers to compete along side the state. The Wenatchee World said, “Other states that recently have partially privatized their industrial insurance have ended up with lower rates and satisfied workers. Competition, and even the profit motive, is something to encourage, not fear. Government monopolies naturally resist change and efficiency. Ending them can be complex, but if it reduces the price of creating jobs and makes Washington more competitive, it will be well worth the price. Vote yes on Initiative 1082.” Read the Washington Research Council’s policy brief on I-1082. Follow the I-1082 campaign on Facebook and Twitter.


Minimum wage set to rise in 2011 as governor bows to union demands
The state Department of Labor & Industries announced Friday that Washington’s minimum wage, already the highest in the nation, will increase yet again next year from $8.55 to $8.67 per hour. Given the current economic downturn when employers are struggling to just keep the doors open, the governor’s decision to raise costs on businesses is especially disappointing and poorly timed. Last week, AWB sent a letter to the governor supporting Attorney General Rob McKenna’s opinion that the current state minimum wage, which is tied to the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) should be maintained through 2011. AWB’s Grant Nelson told public radio reporter Tom Banse that “we’re left scratching our heads” over the decision, and he told the Associated Press that Friday’s decision will “make it more difficult to do business in the state of Washington. The announcement comes amidst a Social Security benefit freeze, state employee wage freezes and state employee furloughs. AWB is weighing several options in response to the governor’s decision, including legislation and legal action. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


States’ lawsuit against health-care law gets green light from federal judge
A lawsuit seeking to overturn key portions of the federal health-care reform law can proceed according to a federal judges’ ruling last Thursday. The lawsuit, led by Florida and joined by 19 other states including Washington, challenges the constitutionality of the law’s requirement that individuals must buy health insurance and its imposition of unfunded mandates on the states. U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson said in his ruling, "In this order, I have not attempted to determine whether the line between constitutional and extraconstitutional government has been crossed. I am only saying that ... the plaintiffs have at least stated a plausible claim that the line has been crossed."


IRS gives employers relief from W-2 health-care reporting requirement
The IRS will delay the filing requirement for companies to report the cost of supplying healthcare coverage to their employees.According to the law, employers must report thecost of health plan coverage on Forms W-2 beginning in 2011.The IRS rule – which was only necessary because of Congress - states that reporting the cost of health plan coverage is not mandatory for Forms W-2 issued for 2011. This is to give employers more time to modify payroll systems to capture the necessary data to report accurately.


Many voters believe employers will drop health insurance coverage
No wonder very few politicians are touting their support for the federal health-care reform law. According to a new Rasmussen survey, nearly three-out-of-four voters believe it at least somewhat likely that the some companies will drop health insurance coverage for their employees due to the new health-care law. Forty-seven percent believe it is very likely, while only 19 percent believe it unlikely that companies will drop coverage. The survey of likely voters was conducted by telephone.


Fall 2010 Washington Business magazine out next week
The Fall issue of AWB’s quarterly magazine, Washington Business, is out this week and it’s loaded with timely material, including pro and con arguments for Initiative 1098, the state income tax proposal; a pair of articles focusing on Washington’s manufacturing sector; and a look at a Washington company that’s figured out how to grow coho to electoral issues, including the initiatives, it also has a strong focus on manufacturing. Watch for it!


Save the date: AWB Legislative Reception & Lobby Day in Olympia, Feb. 3
Don’t miss AWB’s Feb. 3 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. This is a great opportunity to get up-to-date on priority business issues during the 2011 legislative session. Help your legislators understand how your business is affected by decisions that made in Olympia and encourage them to promote positive policies that keep Washington competitive for business. More details to come soon.


AWB now accepting nominations for Better Workplace Awards
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that have gone the extra mile to create a better working environment in the areas of workplace safety, job training, advancement programs and innovative benefit and compensation programs. Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! Click here to download the nomination form. Awards will be presented at our annual Legislative Day in Olympia on Feb. 3, 2011. For more information, contact Chana LaChapelle. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, Dec. 10, 2010.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
U.S. Chamber and Washington Health Care Authority to discuss health insurance
exchanges tomorrow
AWB’s Health Care Committee will meet tomorrow, 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 Thursday
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, Thursday
AWB’s Land Use Committee will meet Thursday, 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.


Energy Committee meeting on Nov. 1
AWB’s Energy Committee will meet on Monday, November 1, 2010, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., at AWB. On the agenda: Implementation of AWB’s 2011-12 Energy Legislative Objective, the status of the Department of Commerce’s State Energy Strategy Update, and HB 2504 an attempt from last legislative session to modify Washington’s volumetric Renewable Fuels Standard. For more information contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


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.


Member Spotlight: Jackson Lewis LLP named top employment litigation firm
Jackson Lewis LLP proves that expertise and innovation go a long way. BTI Consulting Group’s Litigation Outlook 2011 report recently named the legal firm an Employment Litigation Powerhouse. Jackson Lewis was the only employment law firm given this distinction. Share your company’s good news with AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
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.


Let our preferred merchant services provider save you time and money!
AWB encourages you to take advantage of our exclusive partnership with FrontStream Payments for merchant services and credit card processing. As a preferred merchant, you can be sure to benefit from guaranteed savings and customizable options that fit your business needs. Increase sales, save time, save money. It’s that simple! Getting started is easy. Call 877.235.8947 for your free analysis or e-mail awb@frontstreampayments.com.


Federal Health Care Reform: What Employers Need to Know and Why Webinar-November 9
Congress just passed, and the President signed into law, the most significant changes to the American health care system in the nation's history. Major changes are in store for health care benefit programs as implementation of the new health care law draws closer. The new law is complicated and, in some cases, unclear. This webinar will help you understand the key components of this highly contentious new law and the impact it will have on employers and individuals over the next several years. Join us as AWB’s Donna Steward explain the details of the new law and discuss steps your organization can take to prepare for and meet the challenges you're likely to face in this new era of health-care reform. Register online or contact AWB’s Chana LaChapelle.


Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Where's the Line Webinar- November 17
The Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service recently identified employer misclassification of independent contractors as a top enforcement priority across the country, while the Department of Labor & Industries has intensified its focus on this issue in specific industries in Washington. Misclassification of employees costs federal and state governments substantial tax revenues each year and exposes employers to penalties and liability for back taxes, overtime pay, workers compensation and retirement benefits. Yet the rules for properly classifying employees and independent contractors are not always crystal clear. This sixty minute webinar will tackle the latest strategies for correctly classifying and managing independent contractors and discuss L&I's enforcement program and what to expect if you are audited.Register online or contact AWB’s Chana LaChapelle.


THEY SAID IT
“If we tried to start Home Depot today, under the kind of onerous regulatory controls that [President Obama has] advocated, it's a stone cold certainty that our business would never get off the ground, much less thrive. Rules against providing stock options would have prevented us from incentivizing worthy employees in the start-up phase—never mind the incredibly high cost of regulatory compliance overall and mandatory health insurance. Still worse are the ever-rapacious trial lawyers.” – Ken Langone, former New York Stock Exchange director and co-founder of Home Depot