TOP STORIES
URGENT REQUEST: We need your help with I-1053
AWB is encouraging its members to support Initiative 1053 financially and to assist in gathering signatures on petitions in order to make sure this important measure gets on the November ballot.I-1053 re-establishes the requirement that a two-thirds vote of the Legislature is necessary to raise or impose new taxes.Lawmakers suspended the requirement earlier this year, and then passed an array of new taxes that amounted to one of the largest tax hikes in state history. To assist in the initiative drive, AWB has established a fund to receive donations from members.Donations will be used for in-kind contributions to directly pay the signature gathering firm to support the efforts of I-1053 and ensure its place on the general election ballot. There is no limit on how much a person, company or association can contribute to an initiative campaign.Personal checks, company checks and association checks are welcome.Please contact your clients and encourage them to make a donation today.For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Tax increases on beer, candy, bottled water take effect today
The price of beer, bottled water, candy and gum just went up. Lawmakers approved nearly $800 million in new taxes this year, including those taxes on so-called “sin” or discretionary items. Additionally, the interest deduction on first mortgages is limited, and economic nexus tax changes and a property management business–and-occupation tax increase go into effect. To help you keep track of it all, AWB has compiled a comprehensive list of the nearly three dozen new taxes enacted during the 2010 legislative session and when they become effective.


Costco backing liquor privatization Initiative 1100
AWB member Costco Wholesale Corp. is strongly supporting Initiative 1100, which seeks to privatize Washington’s liquor-store business. As part of the effort to get the measure on the November ballot, look for company-approved I-1100 signature gatherers at a Costco near you. Costco believes Washington’s current liquor sales laws are outmoded, and is also providing financial assistance to the I-1100 campaign.


Brunell discusses initiatives on TVW
AWB President Don Brunell will discuss the state’s business climate and this year’s voter initiatives in an interview on TVW’s Inside Olympia with Austin Jenkins this Thursday night. Don’t miss this informative conversation, which includes background on the AWB-supported initiatives I-1053 and I-1082.


Idaho luring Washington businesses with predictable tax and regulatory policies
Idaho is sending a clear message to Washington businesses that it wants them. With a more predictable tax and regulatory environment than Washington, and a state government that makes serious cuts rather than burdening businesses and residents with new taxes, Idaho has a lot to attract business. Now it also has a website to lure Washington and Oregon employers. The website features cost comparisons between the states, as well as testimonials from companies that have already moved to Idaho. Washington’s lawmakers could learn a lot from Idaho. Hopefully, they will take action and improve Washington’s business environment more competitive before we lose more employers to our eastern neighbor.


Businesses must compete against state governments for “Employer”Assistance funds
The recently passed federal health-care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, includes $5 billion in assistance to “employers” that provide health-care coverage for early retirees not yet eligible for Medicare.It turns out, however, that private businesses must compete with state governments for the limited funding. State governments are eligible to draw funds from this program even though the state, as an employer, may not drop the coverage without legislative approval. This is a great way to provide additional money to states to support their ailing budgets. Unfortunately, with the size of state governments, it will not take long for them to gobble up the $5 billion.Any private employer interested in receiving a portion of these dollars to cover high-cost retirees is highly encouraged to submit their application before state governments consume these funds.The program will reimburse employers for 80 percent of the costs of health benefit claims between $15,000 and $90,000 for each retiree or retiree’s dependent covered under the employer’s retiree plan that reaches the established threshold.For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Department of Ecology needs your input on Shoreline Management Act rules
The Department of Ecology plans to revise parts of the Shoreline Management Act rules and needs your input. The changes include adjustments to rules on limited and comprehensive amendments to local shoreline programs. Send your comments on the draft by this Saturday. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Department of Ecology revises greenhouse gas emissions guidelines, needs public comment
The Department of Ecology recently released its Draft SEPA Guidance on Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Ecology will take written public comment on this draft guidance until Friday, June 25. Comments should be sent to sepaguidance@ecy.wa.gov. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


AWB advocates for improved Ecology boatyard permit
AWB submitted written comments last week asking the department to re-focus its priorities on improving water quality, rather than add costs and complexities onto an already burdened industry faced with very stringent and expensive boatyard permit requirements. For more information, including a copy of comments submitted by AWB, contact Grant Nelson.


Ecology overhauling solid waste laws – learn more at AWB meeting on June 23
The Washington Department of Ecology is looking to completely rewrite RCW 70.95 and other rules governing hazardous and solid waste. This endeavor, designed to move the agency’s Beyond Waste Plan toward a goal of “zero waste,” was the subject of six recent statewide workshops. Product manufacturers are the primary target of this effort, although landfill operators will also be affected as the department and environmental advocates advance new take-back programs that will require manufacturers to fully fund and implement product stewardship programs, similar to E-Cycle. Members are encouraged to learn more on June 23, when Ecology program staff will present the agency’s plans at AWB and answer questions regarding this important topic. For more, contact Grant Nelson.


New issue of Washington Business headed your way!
One of the state’s largest commercial waterways — the Columbia-Snake River system — will close this winter for repairs to three key dams. In the spring issue of Washington Business, read how businesses and industries affected by the closure plan to keep commerce moving. Also: should Washington state add more nuclear power? And, how are companies using social media to increase sales and start conversations with customers? Read these stories and more in the next issue of Washington Business.


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Review of Washington Transportation 2030 Plan AWB Transportation Committee
tomorrow
The AWB Transportation Committee meets tomorrow, 10 a.m. – noon, at the AWB office in Olympia to review the progress of the Washington Transportation 2030 Plan. The plan is being developed by vastly different stakeholders — including business, transit, and state and local governments — that will present recommendations to lawmakers on the vision of our transportation system for the next 20 years. The group is reaching a point where they will seek public comment on the proposal. Your input is extremely important in shaping the final plan. For more information or to send written comments on the plan, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Government Affairs Council Retreat, July 12-14 at Alderbrook
Mark your calendar: AWB’s annual Government Affairs Council Retreat is scheduled for July 12-14 at the Alderbrook Resort on the beautiful Hood Canal. More details will be coming soon. For more information, contact AWB’s Connie Grande.


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
Attorney General McKenna at Washington Policy Center Health-Care Conference
Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna and health care policy expert Regina Herzlinger will speak Friday at the Washington Policy Center Health-Care Conference. Co-sponsored by AWB, the event will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in SeaTac, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Prices are $65 (lunch and conference), $60 (Washington Policy Center members) and $500 (table of eight). Register now online.


Whitworth University appoints new president
Beck Taylor, dean of Samford University’s Brock School of Business, in Birmingham, Ala., will take over as Whitworth University’s president on July 1. Taylor replaces Bill Robinson, who is retiring after 17 years at the Spokane school, an AWB member since 2003. Read more about this story on AWB’s Member Spotlight. If you have good news to share about your company, contact AWB’s Paul Schlienz.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Bigfoot comes to Bremerton on Friday
It’s not too late to register for Bigfoot, a new conference focused on social media and social networking for business. Thirteen top experts, including three nationally known keynoters, will share what works and what hasn't in their use of social networking for large and small business. AWB is a lead sponsor of the conference and is also sponsoring and moderating a special breakout panel on the use of social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to influence politics and policy for business. Conference organizers have opened another bank of seats at $149 rather than the at-the-door-price of $199. Click here to register and view the complete list of speakers and sponsors, or contact Frank Kenny at 360.275.4267.


Policy Summit at Semiahmoo – Sept. 21-23
Start making plans now to attend AWB’s 21st Annual Policy Summit. This year’s line-up offers a dynamic selection of speakers including Gary Langer, director of polling for ABC News and The Economist magazine’s American business editor Matthew Bishop. They will help you better evaluate the key policy issues. Join us this fall at the scenic Semiahmoo Resort. To register, click here or contact Jodi Martinez at 800.521.9325.


Online, on demand compliance training
In view of the explosion of employment claims in recent years, employers of all sizes are vulnerable to employment disputes. New and proposed legislation continues to expand employers' exposure to claims. To help your company avoid problems and stay in compliance, AWB and our member partner emTrain have a member benefit program that will give you 20 percent off the best online HR compliance training on the market. emTRAiN’s courses are authored in-house by practicing labor law attorneys and HR trainers with input from the top employment lawyers at NBC Universal, Sun Microsystems & Cisco Systems. For more information and to register for these classes, please click here.


THEY SAID IT
“As unpopular as this health-care bill is today, it’s at the height of its popularity. The more the American people know about it, the more concerns they are going to have, and the more they are going to look at alternatives.” --Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.


This Week's President's Perspective: Public Employee Pensions: A Ticking Time Bomb