TOP STORIES
Campaign focuses on helping employers put people back to work
AWB, through its partnership with the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE), launched a paid media campaign last week in targeted legislative districts with an emphasis on helping the private sector put people back to work. The campaign includes two weeks of radio spots, direct mail pieces to voters in 18 districts, ads in major newspapers and one week of Web site banners on local news sites. As the Legislature goes into its final weeks, it's vital lawmakers understand that that the recovery will not begin until private employers start hiring again. You can take action by contacting your legislators at 800.562.6000, or via e-mail. Tell them to rein in state spending, make government more efficient and let employers put people back to work. You can also help us get the word out by posting the ads in your business, including them in your company publications and distributing these materials to your employees and other key stakeholders. For more information, contact WashACE Coordinator Richard Davis at 206.619.3089.


House approves I-960 suspension, opens door to new taxes
Following the state Senate’s move to suspend Initiative 960’s requirement for a super majority to raise taxes, the House voted 51-47 to approve SB 6130, the bill that suspends I-960, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton. This measure now goes back to the Senate — possibly this evening — before going to the governor for her signature. The move not only clears the way for the governor’s tax proposal, but would also allow for a general sales tax increase, an idea that is gaining some traction. AWB is disappointed the Legislature is contemplating raising taxes. As The Seattle Times said in an editorial, there is more cutting that could be done first.


Governor unveils new tax plan, includes triple tax on hazardous substances
Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed raising $605 million last week through new taxes on things like candy, soda and bottled water, plus closing tax credits and exemptions. The money would allow Gregoire to “buy back” almost $800 million worth of programs cut in her initial budget. Many of the elements also are embodied in HB 3176, the omnibus tax bills sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina. Of particular concern to the business community is a proposed tripling of the state's hazardous-substances tax on petroleum, pesticides and other chemicals to raise $148 million for the state general fund. The Seattle Times called the Legislature’s version of the tax the “wrong solution” and the The News Tribune called it a “good idea gone wrong.”


Less than three weeks left in legislative session, still no Senate or House budgets
With just two and half weeks left in the 2010 Legislative Session, lawmakers are scrambling to produce budget packages to balance an approximately $2.8 billion shortfall. The state Senate is expected to announce its main budget document tomorrow morning, and the House could release its budget plan the same day. Lawmakers have incentives to finish on time — a special session costs an estimated $20,000 per day, and it delays the start of campaign season. Yet without settled budget proposals this late in the game, there is already some speculation that they could be headed to overtime.


JobMakers.com, your online source for tracking job-creation legislation
Be sure to check out JobMakers.com, your online source for tracking job-creation legislation in Washington state. Keeping Washington working is AWB’s top priority this legislative session because private sector jobs are the key to our economic recovery. You can use JobMakers to track current news and information about bills that will help create new jobs, provide investment opportunities and encourage economic growth in our state. This site will be regularly updated throughout the 2010 legislative session, so check back often or sign up for our RSS feed and get regular updates online.


Manning and Holmstrom to speak at this week’s Lobby Lunch
Jay Manning, Gov. Gregoire’s chief of staff, and Cindi Holmstrom, director of the Department of Revenue, will speak on the governor’s new tax proposal on Thursday at AWB’s Lobby Lunch meeting. If you have not already RSVP’d and are interested in attending, please do so by 5 p.m. tomorrow. Lunch begins at noon and is $14 per person. For more information or to register, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


ABC News director of polling to speak at 2010 AWB Policy Summit
AWB is pleased to announce Gary Langer, director of polling at ABC News, will be a keynote speaker at the 2010 Policy Summit at Semiahmoo. Langer is one of the nation's leading news pollsters, known for the depth and acuity of his analysis as well as the breadth of his subject matter. The first and only pollster to have been awarded a news Emmy, Langer has produced influential and groundbreaking surveys on politics, presidential elections, consumer confidence, health care, war and terrorism, education and more-including ABC's coverage of the first media-sponsored national public opinion polls in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information on the Summit or to register, please visit our Web site at http://www.awb.org/ or contact Jennifer Costello.


It's time to move forward with the Columbia Crossings
The Columbian reports that Gov. Gregoire and her Oregon counterpart, Ted Kulongoski, are pushing forward with a plan to start construction in 2012 on a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River. AWB President Don Brunell says that’s welcome news. As a member of the Columbia River Crossings Coalition, AWB supports action sooner than later on this important project.


Did your business help with earthquake relief in Haiti? Tell us your story.
If you know of a Washington business that helped or is continuing to provide assistance in Haiti following the devastating earthquake, please let us know. Nationwide, the response from the business community has been rapid and generous. AWB is compiling a list of Washington businesses helping in Haiti. We will share these stories in an upcoming issue of our magazine, Washington Business. To tell your story, contact AWB’s Jason Hagey.


Weekly Twitter chat on legislative issues each Thursday
Remember to tune in at 4 p.m. this Thursday on Twitter to see what people are saying about the 2010 Legislature. To join in the AWB-led discussion, log on to Twitter, follow AWB, and set up a search for the hashtag #walegchat. You can also follow the action in the Legislature any time by tracking the hashtag #waleg. If you need more information about the chat or how to use Twitter, contact AWB’s Jason Hagey.


Get caught up on the week in Olympia with Friday’s WashACE phone briefing
Looking for a concise wrap-up of the week’s legislative action? Join us this Friday for the 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.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
AWBpriority land use bill one step closer to approval
ESHB 2538, sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Burien, is AWB’s priority land use issue for the year. It will incentivize higher building density within urban growth areas for residential and mixed-use developments, stimulate economic development and create jobs. ESHB 2538 passed the House by a vote of 90-5. The Senate companion bill, SB 6720, passed the Senate by a vote of 43-3. AWB will testify in favor of this measure tomorrow at 10 a.m. before the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee. Please contact your senators and urge them to support ESHB 2538. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Hearing tomorrow on AWB-supported wage payment bill
HB 3145, sponsored by Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, is set for a hearing tomorrow before the Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, 1:30 p.m. AWB will be there to testify in its favor. This bill strengthens the Department of Labor and Industries’ enforcement tools to obtain unpaid wages and impose penalties against employers who repeatedly and willfully violate wage payment laws. Members of AWB’s Employment Law Committee worked with worker advocates to hammer out a fair compromise that targets unfair practices in the economy without creating new liability or uncertainty for honest employers. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Educational leave bill set for hearing tomorrow, AWB will testify against
AWB opposes HB 2444, sponsored by Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia, for its needless burdens upon employers. This bill expands the state Family Leave Act to apply to all employers for the purposes of leave from work for a child’s educational events. AWB will testify against this measure tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
Important bill to protect shoreline property heard in Senate
On Friday, AWB testified before the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee in favor of EHB 1653, sponsored by Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington. EHB 1653 is an important bill that will protect existingstructures and uses on Washington’s shorelines. AWB worked hard to reach agreement with a wide variety of stakeholders on this controversial issue, including counties, cities, ports and the environmental community. Please contact your senators and ask them to support EHB 1653 in its current form. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


AWB opposes trial lawyer attempts to raise employers’ liability
AWB is actively opposing two trial lawyer-supported bills that would raise employer liability. The bills are SB 6508, sponsored by Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Shoreline, an expansion of wrongful death liability, and SB 6764, sponsored by Sen. Randy Gordon, D-Bellevue, a bid to raise judgment interest rates for private sector defendant. Both bills are pending in the House Judiciary Committee after having passed the Senate last week.AWB is working hard to stop both of these bills and asks you to urge your representatives to oppose these high cost bills. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


Lawmakers eye UI trust fund to pay for worker training
Under the guise of a “tax credit,” 2SHB 2630, sponsored by Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, will siphon $98 million from the state unemployment trust fund to support a new worker training program called “Opportunity Express.”While AWB is highly supportive of worker training programs, especially now as workers consider retooling their skills to better engage in the job market, diverting UI taxes is not an appropriate way to fund this new program.Employers have seen their UI taxes increase in excess of 200-300 percent this year alone due to the sustained rate of high unemployment.Asking these employers to now foot the bill on worker retraining is adding insult to injury — all dollars diverted from the UI trust fund must be repaid through even higher employer UI taxes.Contact your legislators and ask them to oppose 2SHB 2630. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


State continues to back away from commitment to creation of biodiesel market, shifts burden to private sector
The state House has passed a bill that modifies Washington’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for biodiesel. ESHB 2504 requires that every gallon of diesel fuel sold in the state contain 2 percent biodiesel (B2.) This removes all choice for consumers — Washington’ businesses and citizens — who wish to buy pure diesel. The bill also creates infrastructure challenges for businesses that ship or store diesel fuel. In 2006, the Legislature and Gov. Gregoire committed the state to lead the way in meeting the biofuels mandate by requiring the state vehicle fleet, including ferries, use a 20 percent (B20) biodiesel blend. Last year, the Legislature reduced the use by state ferries (the largest public user of diesel fuel) from B20 to B5. An amendment to ESHB 2504, sponsored by Rep. Mike Armstrong, R-Wenatchee, further reduces the state’s biodiesel leadership role by lowering the requirement from B20 to B2 — the same amount mandated on the private sector under the bill. This is a classic case of the state telling private sector to “do as we say and not as we do.” Please contact your legislator and tell them to restore the state’s commitment to meeting the biodiesel mandate by requiring the state vehicle fleet, including ferries, to use a B20 blend. It’s only fair. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


OTHER NEWS
AWB president to meet with Walla Walla-area members
AWB members from the Walla Walla area are invited to meet with AWB President Don Brunell early next month. The informal meeting on Thursday, March 4 begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. “We need your input to help make our state more attractive for employers, workers and families,” said Brunell. “I hope you or any of your company associates will attend.” Please RSVP to Bonnie Millikan at 800.521.9325.


Register now for Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference, April 6-7
Don’t miss this opportunity to join with emergency management planning professionals 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. 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.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Get recognition for your company’s achievements with AWB’s Community Service Awards
AWB’s Community Service Awards recognize members’ volunteerism and contributions that make our communities better places to live and work. Entries may be submitted for projects that support education, youth organizations, community beautification projects, community organizations that help people in need or programs recognizing volunteerism. There’s also a special general category for projects that mobilize communities into action. Awards will be presented at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, in conjunction with AWB’s spring meeting. If you would like us to fax or mail a nomination form to you, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


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.


New credit card payment processing program offers immediate savings over traditional options!
AWB is pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with Fast Transact, Inc. and an exciting new program for merchant services and credit card processing. As a preferred merchant, you can benefit from savings and customizable options that fit your business needs. Click here to visit us online, or call 800.687.8505, ext. 156, for your free analysis. Be sure to mention that you are an AWB member.


Employment law issues in 2010: What should be on your radar?
If 2010 is anything like 2009, it will prove to be an interesting year for employers and employees alike —especially with the U.S. economy continuing to struggle. So, what should be on your radar for 2010? Click here to learn more and to receive a complimentary 2010 Legal Update online course!


2010 Competitiveness Redbook available
The 2010 Competitiveness Redbook is an invaluable guide with key indicators to the health of Washington’s business climate in comparison to the other 50 states. To order your own copy of this year’s Redbook, contact AWB’s J-Anne Nepomuceno at 800.521.9325.


THEY SAID IT
“I am disappointed that we are taking a path that will lead to increased taxes and fees, rather than working toward solutions to restructure state government. We have the ability to streamline the way services are delivered and make the tough, but responsible decisions to recharge the state’s economy and get people back to work.” – Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman 


This Week's President's Perspective: Connect the dots, then do the math