TOP STORIES
Legislature begins 2010 session under budgetary cloud
State lawmakers returned to Olympia today for the start of the 2010 legislative session with a weighty agenda. Topping the list is the need to craft a solution to the $2.6 billion shortfall in the 2009-2011 state operating budget. The temptation to raise taxes will be strong, but lawmakers must find a way to solve the problem without harming the private-sector businesses that will ultimately lead the state out of recession. "It won't be easy, but wemust not gettrapped in the old paradigm ofsimply cutting across the board ortrimming around the edges and then raise taxes,” said AWB President Don Brunell.“To do so only opens up a bigger revenue hole when lawmakers return to Olympia in January 2011 to write the next two year state budget…We need to empower the private sector to create jobs and generate tax revenues to have a lasting recovery." Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


State of the State address
Gov. Chris Gregoire will deliver the annual State of the State address shortly after noon tomorrow to a joint session of the state Legislature. Later in the day, the governor is expected to share her ideas for raising revenue to a meeting of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. The Spokesman-Review reported this morning that Gregoire told reporters her plan includes closing some “tax loopholes” as well as some unspecified tax reductions. “I want to find a way to incentivize business,” Gregoire said.


AWB needs to hear from employers hit hard by UI tax increases
On Friday, AWB sent out an Action Alert asking members to share their experience with unemployment insurance taxes. With the unemployment insurance tax rate jumping from 1.55 percent in 2009 to 2.38 percent in 2010, employers are getting hit hard. To assist AWB in communicating this issue to legislators over these next few critical weeks, we are asking members experiencing more than a 200 percent increase in their UI taxes to send us copies of your 2009 and 2010 rate notices from the Employment Security Department.Please redact the business name and address if you do not want that information shared publicly, but please leave visible the city in which your business is located.Fax or e-mail PDF copies of notices to AWB’s Donna Steward at 360.943.5811. Please send your notices by noon tomorrow.


Workers' comp audit adds urgency to calls for reform
It's no secret that Washington's industrial insurance system is broken. AWB has been in the forefront of business groups urging lawmakers to make some big changes to a system that will cost employers an average 7.6 percent more this year, just as businesses are struggling to emerge from a major recession. But it turns out things are worse than we thought. An actuarial firm contracted by the state Auditor's Office to study the system has concluded that the state accident fund — one part of the system — has a nearly 75 percent chance of becoming insolvent in the next two years. And this is after the rate hike. Without the increase, the odds would have been more than 82 percent, according to the report. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Weekly Twitter chat on legislative issues begins Thursday
AWB will use the popular social media Web site Twitter to lead a weekly Web chat about the 2010 legislative session beginning Thursday at 4 p.m. 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. Also, you can follow the action in the Legislature any time by tracking the hashtag #waleg. If you need more information about Twitter or how to join the action, contact AWB’s Jason Hagey.


Weekly phone-in briefings begin Friday
This Friday, WashACE, the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy, will begin its weekly half-hour phone briefings on legislative issues. The call will begin at 7:30 a.m. and this Friday’s agenda includes the state budget, workers’ compensation, and the governor’s proposed jobs package. To participate in the call, e-mail Richard Davis at WashACE.


Web site lets you track job-creation legislation
If Washington is going to emerge from the recession and rebuild a solid economy, it needs new jobs. AWB’s JobMakers.com helps you track news and information about bills that will help create new jobs, provide investment opportunities, and encourage economic growth. Use it find out more about a particular bill and which lawmakers are supporting business-related legislation. The site will be updated regularly throughout the 2010 legislative session, so check back often or subscribe to an RSS feed to get regular updates.


Feds attempt to merge health care bills in secrecy
Behind closed doors, without TV cameras, public scrutiny or input from Republicans, U.S. House and Senate Democrats are working to merge their very different health care bills, but major hurdles remain, including whether there should be a public option. It's still not too late to urge deeper and more positive, market-oriented reforms. There are better ways to expand access to health care and reduce costs than anything offered in the health care bills passed by the Senate and House. AWB urges its members to contact Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and their House member to oppose this legislation. You can also sign a petition to demand openness and transparency in the negotiations over this important bill.


State Supreme Court sides with AWB in land use case
The Washington Supreme Court released a unanimous decision Thursday in an important land use case, Kelly v. Chelan County, in which the court requested a friend of the court brief from AWB.At issue was whether a developer would have to seek a stay of a conditional use permit authorizing a project while the project was under appeal in order to keep the conditions of the permit from expiring. AWB’s brief addressed several legal and public policy reasons why permits are automatically stayed while on appeal.Under the circumstances in this case, the court agreed. However, unclear language in the court’s opinion suggests there may still be some circumstances where developers facing an appeal may want to consider a stay of the permit. For a copy of the brief or for more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft or Chris McCabe.


AWB’s Lobby Lunch series kicks off on Jan. 21
Representatives from the Office of the Governor will brief us at AWB’s first Lobby Lunch of the 2010 session, 12 noon, Thursday, Jan. 21, at AWB. Please note that parking, which has traditionally been hard to find during the session, will be even more challenging this year because of the construction of the state’s new Department of Information Services building on Jefferson St. 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.


Gov. Gregoire to speak at AWB’s Legislative Day, Feb. 3 – Register now
Gov. Chris Gregoire will speak at AWB’s Legislative Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at Olympia’s Red Lion Hotel. Meet face-to-face with legislators and participate in panel discussions on policy issues that matter most to Washington’s business community. This event is one of your best opportunities to network with other AWB members, elected officials and agency directors. It’s also a great chance to enhance your company’s visibility through a sponsorship. To register or become a sponsor, click here or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


New reseller permit required – Don’t have one? AWB can help
It’s 2010, and the new reseller’s permit is required for businesses that sell wholesale items. Despite this new rule, 20,000 businesses in Washington should have the permit, but don’t. If you have not received your permit, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Education and Training Committee meets Jan. 22
The next AWB Education and Training Committee meeting will be Friday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m. – noon, at AWB. The Committee will discuss proposals before the Legislature and provide input to the business members of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter or Donna Steward.


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.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
Greenhouse gas reporting legislation introduced in Legislature
HB 2545, sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Burien, is the Department of Ecology’s greenhouse gas reporting legislation. The first hearing on the bill will be 10 a.m. tomorrow in the House Ecology & Parks Committee. The Senate companion bill, which does not yet have a number, will be heard in the Environment, Water & Energy Committee at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15. AWB is supportive of the legislation, which seeks to better align Washington state’s GHG reporting requirements with EPA’s reporting rule adopted last year. As drafted however, the bill treats biomass emissions differently compared to EPA’s rule and AWB and member organizations are working with the department of Ecology and legislators to remedy that discrepancy. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson.


AWB supports measure to streamline land use permitting
An important land use bill will be heard tomorrow at 10 a.m. by the House Ecology & Parks Committee. HB 2538, sponsored by Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Burien, streamlines permitting under the State Environmental Policy Act, incentives higher densities within urban growth areas for residential and mixed use developments, stimulates economic development and creates jobs. Please urge your legislator to support this bill. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


AWB opposes stormwater charges
AWB has joined a wide range of business organizations in opposing HB 1614, which would impose more than $1.2 billion in new costs on gasoline and diesel products over the next decade to fund stormwater clean-up programs. Now is not the time to saddle a key element of Washington’s vulnerable manufacturing sector with this hidden tax, especially considering that an important study of stormwater pollution is not yet complete. An early estimate of stormwater run-off overstated the impact of petroleum products by at least 40 percent. To learn more about the issue or join the coalition of opponents to the measure, go stopwahiddentaxes.com. Read more on AWB President Don Brunell’s weekly column, President’s Perspective.


OTHER NEWS
Puget Sound Energy Foundation awards more than $600,000 to nonprofits
Numerous charitable organizations throughout Washington owe Puget Sound Energy a great debt of gratitude. The Puget Sound Energy Foundation distributed more than $600,000 to local charities in 2009, directing $244,500 in December alone to 62 organizations as part of the foundation’s second round of grants. None of the foundation’s funds come from PSE’s utility customers. “The Puget Sound Energy Foundation is honored to be able to support so many vital community organizations and programs in 2009, particularly during these times of economic hardship,” said Bert Valdman, interim acting chair and vice president of the foundation. Read more on AWB’s Member Spotlight.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Forklift: Train the Trainer workshop – Thursday, Jan. 14
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 Jennifer Costello.


Get in compliance for 2010!
Last year, several significant changes were made to the required state and federal employment posters. Pre-order your updated poster set today to ensure your company is in compliance with Washington state and federal labor law posting requirements. To order an updated state and federal poster set, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello.


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.


AWB Members save up to 26 percent on UPS shipping!
AWB members can save time and money thanks to a new partnership with UPS! Save up to 26 percent on shipping costs with discounts on UPS Next Day Air^®, UPS Worldwide Express^SM and UPS 2nd Day Air A.M^®. Find out how to take advantage of these savings today by calling 800.325.7000 or click here to enroll in the program to begin receiving discounted rates! Be sure to identify yourself as an AWB member.


Still time to participate in AWB salary 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
“With no improvement in the state's overall cash position, the entire state treasury could be depleted as soon as September 2010.” – Washington State Treasurer Jim McIntire


This Week's President's Perspective: The private sector is key to Washington’s prosperity