TOP STORIES
AWB legislative issue updates now available to AWB members
This week marks the halfway point in the 2010 legislative session, and AWB’s government affairs staff has developed a mid-term progress report by issue area. Please contact Connie Grande at 360.943.1600 to request a copy. You must be an AWB member in good standing to receive a copy.


McKenna calls for accountability at AWB’s Legislative Day
Attorney General Rob McKenna called on government to hold public employees accountable for their performance during AWB’s annual Legislative Day in Olympia last Wednesday. McKenna, who delivered the luncheon address and helped honor AWB’s Better Workplace Award winners, used his own agency as an example of what can be accomplished when he instituted strict performance standards and employee rewards. Members also attended a spirited discussion on workers’ comp and other workplace issues with Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, and Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee. Other forums examined health care, budget and taxes, and environmental issues. The event was well attended and provided a great opportunity for AWB members to become more informed about state government and meet lawmakers on a face–to-face basis. Photos of the event are available online. A big thank you to all of this year’s Legislative Day sponsors who helped make the event a success!


Eighteen AWB members honored with Better Workplace Awards
AWB recognized 18 businesses and non-profit organizations Wednesday for their outstanding commitments to their employees. The awards, presented during AWB’s annual Legislative Day, were given to employers for their superior commitment to workplace safety, job training and advancement and innovative benefit and compensation programs. “The winners of this year’s awards represent the best of Washington’s business community,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “These are perfect of examples of the kind of innovation and forward-thinking that’s needed to attract the best workers to our state. Building a strong, talented workforce is one of the most important things we can do to help Washington emerge strong from the recent downturn.” Click here for the complete list of the award winners and here to download photos.


Legislators take aim at I-960 spending limits
At a time when the state needs to cut spending resolve a $2.6 billion budget deficit, Democratic leadership in both houses is looking for ways to raise taxes even though the economy is fragile and businesses are struggling. SB 6843, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, temporarily suspends voter approved Initiative 960, allowing the Legislature to raise taxes with a simple majority vote instead of a two-thirds majority. The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard the bill today and passed it, sending it next to the Rules Committee. AWB strongly opposes this bill and encourages you to contact your legislators in opposition to this effort. For more information about the bill, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Court rules that state is not meeting its responsibility to fund basic education
King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick ruled Thursday that the state is violating its constitutional duty by not fully funding basic education and forcing local school districts to rely on levies, PTA fundraisers and donations. While AWB strongly agrees with the ruling’s contention that the state has a paramount responsibility to fund basic education, we are concerned about how the Legislature might respond to this decision and what funding mechanisms it will design to comply with the court when money is short. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


U.S. unemployment rates unexpectedly drop below 10 percent
The national unemployment rate unexpectedly fell from 10 percent to 9.7 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The sobering truth behind those numbers, however, is that the U.S. economy still lost 20,000 jobs during January. Additionally, the jobless rate is artificially low because of the large number of discouraged job seekers who have simply quit looking for work in this bad economy. With a new forecast from the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council coming this Friday and continued unease about the state of the economy, now is the worst possible time to place more taxes on the employer community.


Bill to bring cross border health insurance competition nears House vote
The ability to buy health insurance across state lines is an important component of real health care reform. It will lower costs and help revive the individual market. HB 3015, sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, would allow cross-border competition in Washington’s health care market and has AWB’s strong support. The bill passed out of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee on Wednesday, and is on the verge of a receiving a floor vote in the House. Let your lawmakers know this bill is important to Washington employers – especially small businesses. Visit Washington Business Votes Web site to find your legislator and send them a quick message in support of HB 3015. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Gov. Gregoire approves Kittitas County wind power project
Good news on the renewable energy front: Gov. Gregoire approved certification for the construction and operation of AWB member enXco’s Desert Claim Wind Power Project in Kittitas County. AWB supported andlobbied for this project and is pleased with this outcome. We also support AWB memberSDS Lumber’s pending Whistling Ridge Wind Power Project in Skamania County and encourage the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and Gov. Gregoire to grant their approval to this project as well. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


State’s effort to gain Race to the Top Dollars falls short
Forty states plus the District of Columbia are scrambling to get their share of $4.35 billion in prize money from Race to the Top (RTTT), a federal program designed to encourage innovation in public education. HB 3035, sponsored by Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon, is touted as the way to improve the state’s schools enough to bring Washington as much as $250 million in RTTT money, but Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn cautions that the current legislation “will move us past the starting line but will not win the race.” The state’s lack of charter schools, its cumbersome process for firing poor–performing teachers, and lack of a clear link between student performance and teacher evaluations, will prevent Washington from gaining the Race to the Top money, Dorn said. “These are initiatives that President Obama wants, and they will make us more competitive for an RTTT grant,” he said.


Hewitt, DeBolt, Parlette discuss budget, taxes at AWB’s Lobby Lunch
Three of the Legislature’s top Republicans – Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, and Sen. Linda Parlette, R-Wenatchee – met with AWB members at last Thursday’s Lobby Lunch. Parlette said that Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, As evidence, she said Washington's state budget rose 33 percent, or more than $8 billion, during Gov. Chris Gregoire's first four-year term – more than it rose during Gov. Gary Locke's eight years as governor. All three legislators predicted tax increases and said there were too few Republicans in the Legislature to prevent Democrats from suspending Initiative 960’s supermajority requirement to raise taxes. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Senate Ways & Means Chair Prentice at this week’s Lobby Lunch
Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, chairwoman of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, will speak at this Thursday’s Lobby Lunch at noon at AWB. Prentice is a key player in the budget and is the sponsor of SB 6843, the bill that suspends Initiative 960. If you have not already RSVP’d and you are interested in attending, please do so by 5 p.m. tomorrow. Lunch is $14 per person. Please allow plenty of time to find parking when visiting either AWB or the Capitol. For more information or to register, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


Bipartisan workers’ comp reform stalls in Legislature, AWB continues push for change
HB 2950, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, is a bipartisan approach to workers’ compensation reform that both Republicans and many Democrats support. Unfortunately, at a time when workers’ comp rates are rising out of control, the bill hit a brick wall and did not receive the committee hearing it deserved. Some lawmakers want to delay action by convening yet another study group after the session concludes, but AWB is continuing to push for reform now. Contact your representative through Washington Business Votes today and tell them workers’ comp reform can’t wait. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft for more information.


Winter 2010 issue of Washington Business magazine in the mail this week
What should political leaders do this session to nurture our fragile economic recovery? The winter issue of Washington Business magazine examines this question with the help of a trio of state, regional and national economists. We’ve also got the latest news about our state’s agricultural exports sector, the launch of Microsoft 7 and what it means for Washington and a glimpse into the partnership between business and the USO. Washington Business is headed to your mailbox this week; keep an eye out for it!


Weekly Twitter chat on legislative issues each Thursday
Have you checked out AWB’s weekly Web chat on the action in Olympia? AWB is using the popular social media Web site Twitter to lead a weekly discussion of the 2010 Legislature. For those familiar with Twitter, you can follow the chat and participate in it by following AWB, and by setting up a search for the hashtag #walegchat. Join us each Thursday at 4 p.m. Also, you can follow the action in the Legislature any time by tracking the hashtag #waleg. If you need more information about Twitter, contact AWB’s Jason Hagey.


Get caught up on the legislative session with Friday’s WashACE phone briefing
Looking for a concise wrap-up of the week’s legislative action? Join us this Friday for our weekly WashACE phone briefings on legislative issues with policy experts. The call begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends promptly at 8 a.m. Register for Friday’s call online or contact WashACE’s Richard Davis with questions about these briefings.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
Hidden Gas Tax: The Sequel – And Even Worse than HB 1614
Legislation aimed at tripling the state’s hazardous substance tax was introduced today. HB 3181 (and SB 6851), sponsored by Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, marks a shift in strategy from an earlier plan to put a barrel tax on petroleum products to fund stormwater clean-up projects. But it poses the same problems as the barrel tax and adds significant costs for air transportation, agriculture, gas stations and other businesses that pay in the state toxics control account. For petroleum products, it would result in as much as $250 million annually in new taxes – a huge burden in tough economic times. As the equivalent of a 6-cent-per-gallon gas tax hike, it would impair future funding for critical transportation projects around the state. To learn more, or to tell your legislator you oppose this idea, go to http://www.stopwahiddengastaxes.com/. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


AWB-supported greenhouse gas reporting legislation on the move
HB 2545, sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Burien, and SB 6373, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, is the Department of Ecology’s greenhouse gas reporting legislation. Both bills are moving toward a vote in their respective houses. AWB supports this legislation, which will better align state reporting requirements with EPA’s reporting rule adopted last year and eliminate reporting obligations for vehicle fleet owners and operators. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


SEPA streamlining bill approved by Senate committee
An AWB priority land use bill that would allow cities to streamline permitting for projects under the State Environmental Policy Act was voted out of the Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy on Thursday. This measure – SB 6720, sponsored by Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Olympia – is moving toward a fullSenate vote. AWB supports this bill because it incentivizes higher densities within urban growth areas for residential and mixed-use developments, stimulates economic development and creates jobs. Please urge your legislators to support SB 6720 and its house companion,SHB 2538, sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Burien. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Tax bill would hit business right in the pocketbook
In the name of closing tax loopholes, HB 3176, sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, would aim a tremendous financial hit on the employer community at a time when businesses are struggling to stay afloat in a rough economy. AWB strongly opposes this legislation and hopes the House Finance Committee will not approve it and put it on the road to a House vote. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Pushing statewide math assessment to 2017 is unacceptable
HB 2915, sponsored by Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon, and its Senate companion SB 6553, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, do not serve our children well. Instead of helping them to compete with their peers in other countries where there is great emphasis on math and science education, these bills delay the needed math assessment exam until 2017. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


AWB working to stop burdensome workplace bills
Two bills AWB opposes for their needless burdens upon employers are out of committee and awaiting votes on the House floor. HB 2444, sponsored by Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia, expands the state Family Leave Act to apply to all employers and all employees for the purposes of leave from work for a child’s educational events. HB 2764, sponsored by Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, is a reaction to the swine flu scare. It would prohibit employers from disciplining an employee who stays home or goes to the doctor with influenza-like symptoms, which are broadly defined. AWB is working to stop these bills. Another measure, HB 2737, also sponsored by Rep. Conway, would expand regulation of employees’ meal and rest breaks. AWB is working to make sure this measure remains in committee. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Collective bargaining bill is a slippery slope for small employers
SB 5046, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, would put one class of small employers — symphony orchestras and performing arts theaters — under a state version of federal collective bargaining laws. This is a classic case of the camel getting his nose under the tent, and AWB is convinced that if it does pass, more employers will find themselves under the law’s jurisdiction in the coming years. The bill is out of committee and awaiting a floor vote. AWB is working to stop it now before it becomes law and damages the employer community. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


AWB supports bill to improve wage claims process
HB 3145, sponsored by Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, is a positive measure that improves the administration of wage claims. AWB supports this reform and is working to make sure that the bill gets a House floor vote now that it is out of committee. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


AWB opposes trial lawyer attempts to raise employers’ liability
Washington state’s trial lawyers have been very active this legislative session, and have produced some bills that would greatly increase employers’ liability. SB 6508, sponsored by Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Shoreline, would expand wrongful death liability and SB 6764, sponsored by Sen. Randy Gordon, D-Bellevue, raises judgment interest rates. SB 6508 was to be heard in Senate Ways & Means this afternoon. SB 6764, however, is out of committee and nearing a Senate floor vote. AWB is working hard to stop both of these bills. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


OTHER NEWS
Register now for Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference, April 6-7
Don’t miss this opportunity to join with emergency management planningprofessionals from the private and public sectors and share lessons in emerging topics in preparedness. The Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference takes place April 6-7, at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. Early bird registration of only $250 ends on Tuesday, Feb. 16, so act now. Call 866.986.8083 or 253.238.8000 for lodging registration at the Hotel Murano. For more information, contact Dana (Schlenker) Colwell at 253.445.4575.


GoGreen conference aimed at helping businesses become more sustainable
GoGreen ’10, a one-day sustainability conference next spring in Seattle, will feature more than 45 speakers and 12 different sessions aimed at helping business owners “go green.” Attendees will hear first-hand success stories and join in panel discussions offering turnkey solutions useful to any size business. AWB is a media partner for the conference and AWB members who attend will receive a discount; use the discount code “AWB” when registering. The conference is Wednesday, April 21, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Olive 8 at The Hyatt, 1635 8^th Ave., Seattle. To register online, visit GoGreen Seattle.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
AWB Environmental Excellence Awards - Now accepting nominations
AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards recognize companies demonstrating initiative, innovation and outstanding achievements in environmental compliance, protection and conservation. Award categories include resource conservation and pollution prevention, sustainable communities and green building, leading environmental practices, and green enterprise and technology. Click here for more details.


Hong Kong Business Development Lunch
AWB and the Hong Kong Association of Washington are sponsoring a hosted lunch with Donald Tong, Hong Kong commissioner for economics and trade affairs for the United States, at 11:30 a.m. this Wednesday at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. Tong will update us on Hong Kong’s latest development; measures to stimulate the economic performance amid the global economic turmoil; and the business opportunities in Hong Kong which make the city the best gateway to China. Seating is limited; contact Bonnie Millikan/AWB at 360.943.1600 to reserve a space.


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. Class listings and registration information is available online or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello for additional information.


Participate in AWB’ssalary and benefits survey
AWB has partnered with WageAccess to provide you a survey that includes more than 900 benchmark positions in a wide variety of industries. This survey allows you to query, select and filter results by geographic location, industry and company size. The survey results also include a comprehensive set of descriptive statistics, compensation analysis tools and trends in salary and benefit administration. Sign up or learn more about the AWB survey here. If you have not yet participated in the survey, it's not too late! Since the survey results are updated quarterly, your data can still be included.


THEY SAID IT
“I am incredulous that Democrats are setting the stage for raising taxes in this economy. …The Legislature should be focused on giving hope to the people who create jobs, so they have reasons to start hiring again. This bill does the polar opposite: It creates a climate of fear and apprehension that will only squash job creation and put more people out of work.” – Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, in response to Senate Democrats’ plan to amend voter-approved Initiative 960


This Week's President's Perspective: Rising unemployment taxes create a Catch-22