TOP STORIES
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Obama Health Care
The U.S. Supreme Court announced today it would hear a challenge to the health-care reform bill approved by Congress in 2010, requiring all Americans to have health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. The court accepted the case brought by Florida and 25 other states – including Washington — and the National Federation of Independent Business. At issue are several question, including the constitutionality of the individual mandate, whether the law can be upheld without the mandate and whether the “penalty” should be considered a tax and if so, whether the court must wait until the law goes into effect before it can make an official ruling. AWB will be hosting a forum on the health care law tomorrow in Seattle (see second item below).

On a related note, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that her department would be providing up to $1 billion over the course of the next three years to create jobs designed to improve health care through innovation. The Health Care Innovation Challenge will award grants of $1 million to $30 million to nonprofits, hospitals and government agencies to create these positions, and is part of the president’s “We Can’t Wait” jobs initiative.

AWB Health Care Reform Forum
More than 100 business owners and representatives will gather tomorrow for AWB’s forum on health care reform, “Health Care Reform: What's Next?” The sold-out event, presented by Lane Powell, will include discussion with state lawmakers about the direction of Washington’s state health insurance exchange, as well as insight from some of the nation’s leading health care experts about the national health care reform law. Joseph Rago, a Pulitzer Prize-winning member of The Wall Street Journal editorial board, will deliver the keynote address. Jeff Gingold, a partner at Lane Powell, will serve as moderator.

Check AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch, for reports from the event, and follow the discussion in real-time on Twitter by searching for the hashtag #hcrforum.

And thanks again to our generous sponsors for making it possible: Albers & Company, First Choice Health, Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers, Medco Health Solutions, Symetra Financial Corporation, Regence BlueShield and Servco Insurance Services.

Voters say yes to privatized liquor, long-term care and rainy day fund – no to Eyman toll measure
Washington state will get out of the business of selling booze next year following passage of Initiative 1183. The Costco-backed measure passed easily last week, despite a campaign of misinformation from opponents. The win is a victory for those who argued for years that selling alcohol was not a core government function. Opponents noted that hundreds of employees will lose their jobs as a result, but shortly after the election, Costco announced that it will interview any state liquor employee who wants a job with the company.

Voters also approved a Senate Joint Resolution requiring a rainy day fund and they shot down Initiative 1125, the Tim Eyman measure regarding tolling. But voters approved Initiative 1163, an expensive union-backed measure dealing with long-term care providers. Here’s a recap of AWB’s positions on the major statewide issues:

· Initiative 1125 – Toll Restrictions: AWB: Opposed. Result: FAILED. It would have jeopardized funding for major construction projects such as the Columbia River crossing in Vancouver and the Highway 520 floating bridge in Seattle, thereby hurting Washington’s economic competitiveness.

· Initiative 1163  – Long-Term Care: AWB: Opposed. Result: PASSED. Even supporters of the idea said they didn’t know where the money would come from to fund this initiative. Now that’s it’s passed, lawmakers will be scrambling to come up with millions of dollars to pay for it – or look to suspend it.

· Initiative 1183 – Liquor Sales: AWB: Supported. Result: PASSED.

· Senate Joint Resolution 8206 – Budget Stabilization Account: AWB: Supported. Result: PASSED. Puts the state on the right path by requiring a rainy-day fund so that when good times return, we can start saving. The Washington Research Council called it a “prudent savings measure.”

King County Democrats select Frockt to succeed Sen. Scott White
King County Democrats chose state Rep. David Frockt to replace Sen. Scott White, who died last month, the Seattle P-I.com reported today. Frockt, an attorney, was elected last year to White’s former seat in the state House of Representatives following White’s move to the Senate. Assuming the King County Council confirms Frockt’s selection, the part will then need to select a replacement for Frockt in the House.

Walmart considers major expansion into health care services
It’s far from clear what all the ramifications will be, and most employers are still trying to figure out what the law means for them. But Walmart could end up being part of the solution. The company, which recently sent out a request for partners, wants to dramatically lower the cost of health care “by becoming the largest provider of primary healthcare services in the nation,” according to news reports. The strategy was publicized in a recent story by NPR, obtained through a request for information. A Walmart spokesman downplayed the significance of the effort, saying the information came from an internal document that was exploring the feasibility of such a project. "We are not building a national, integrated, low-cost primary care health care platform,” said Dr. John Agwunobi, head of health and wellness for Walmart.

McKenna, fresh from campaign kickoff, shares his 'New Direction' with AWB
Attorney General Rob McKenna stopped by AWB last week for a lunchtime discussion of his 2012 gubernatorial campaign. The conversation came a day after a breakfast event in Bellevue that officially kicked off his race for governor. McKenna said he is running on a platform of jobs, education and government reform. He focused much of his time on the need to improve Washington’s education system, both K-12 and higher education. And he responded to critics who question him about where the money will come from to pay for improvements in education, arguing that officials have failed to make education a priority. “Do you agree with me or not that education should be a higher priority?” he asked. “Let’s talk about that first.”

Final report in Thrive Washington series examines progress, looks ahead
The ninth and final report in a year-long series from the Washington Roundtable and the Washington Research Council titled Thrive Washington takes a look back at the progress the state has made in transforming its budget, and offers recommendations for continuing the work. Major accomplishments of the 2011 legislative session include reducing unemployment insurance taxes and reforming the state’s costly workers’ compensation system, the report states. Competitive sourcing of state services and confronting Washington’s overlapping regulatory structures are among the recommendations the report makes.

Online sales-tax plan draws bipartisan support
A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate last week would allow states to compel online retailers with more than $500,000 in annual collect sales taxes. The legislation, known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, would generate an estimated $483 million for Washington during the next biennium, according to a press release issued by the state Department of Revenue. The bill was sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. Seattle-based Amazon, which has resisted efforts by individual states to do similar thing, is among those supporting the legislation.

Own or manage real estate near a river? Upcoming meeting will look at proposed floodplain maps
Anyone who owns or manages property near a river in the Puget Sound region needs to pay attention to FEMA’s ongoing effort to redraw floodplain maps. The last round of preliminary maps for the Kent Valley showed hundreds of acres of land previously considered safe from flooding now within a floodplain. Similar changes are pending in Pierce County along the Puyallup River. Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulations, a coalition of property owners and industry groups including AWB, is meeting Nov. 30 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton in the 7th floor conference room, to discuss the issue. To learn more, read “Three Flood Zone Impact Scenarios.” 

New coal tar sealant law takes effect Jan. 1
A new law that prohibits the sale and application of coal tar pavement sealants takes effect Jan. 1. Pavement contractors and those who manufacture, sell and distribute pavement products need to be aware of the change, which is aimed at reducing potentially harmful Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Studies have shown coal tar sealants to be a potential source of PAHs. For more information, contact AWB’s Courtney Barnes.

Department of Ecology seeks comment on Draft PAH Chemical Action Plan
AWB members are encouraged to submit comments by Friday for inclusion in AWB’s response to questions from the Department of Ecology regarding the Chemical Action Plan it is developing for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, or PAHs. A draft document explains why the plan is being developed and also identifies the largest sources of PAHs in the state, as determined by state officials. The department is asking for comment on these specific questions: Have they identified the largest sources? Are the department’s estimations of PAH releases accurate? Is there a better way to determine release? And should anyone else be included on the advisory committee helping with the developing of the plan? Comments may be sent to AWB’s Courtney Barnes.

AWB sends letters to Murray, Cantwell urging support for Boiler MACT rules legislation
AWB President Don Brunell sent letters to U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell last week urging them to sign on as cosponsors of legislation that encourages EPA to set achievable Boiler MACT standards. The letter notes that the EPA has committed to revise the rule regarding the definition of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials (NHSM) rule, which is encouraging, but it also notes that the NHSM rule is only one part of the flawed Boiler MACT regulations.

Help rural firefighters deliver holiday joy by donating to AWB Holiday Kids’ Tree Project
AWB is already preparing for this year’s Holiday Kids’ Tree Project, slated for 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. As in years past, the program will include a public tree lighting in the state Capitol Rotunda. The state is partnering with Port Blakely Tree Farms, which will donate the tree. It’s not too early to consider making a donation to the project, either. As always, all contributions of toys and food will be distributed to volunteer fire departments that partner with AWB to help provide for needy families. Too often, volunteers at the fire departments tell us that your donations are the only funds they receive to help families during the holiday season. More information, including details on how to donate, are available online.

KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
AWB Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee meeting Tuesday
AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet Tuesday from 2-3:30 pm. at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties office in Bellevue. Gerry O’Keefe, Puget Sound Partnership executive director, will attend along with agency staff. The agenda includes discussion of the partnership’s final adoption of Targets, updates of its Action Agenda and possible 2012 legislative initiatives. For more information, contact AWB’s Brandon Houskeeper.

AWB Health Care Committee meeting, Nov. 28
Reminder: The next meeting of AWB’s Health Care Committee is Nov. 28 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at AWB. Guests will include Jonathon Seib from the Governor’s Office and Barb Flye from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.

AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
Better Workplace Awards – Now accepting nominations!
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that go the extra mile to create better working environments in the areas of workplace safety, job training, advancement programs and innovative benefit and compensation programs. Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! The awards, sponsored by Davis Wright Tremaine, will be presented at our annual Legislative Day in Olympia on Jan. 17. For more information, contact AWB’s Karlee Glasgow.

AWB Legislative & Lobby Day, Jan. 17-18
Today's private sector employers are faced with extraordinary challenges. Legislators need to understand how policies they set affect businesses and job creation. And they need to hear it from you! Register now for AWB’s Legislative Day Jan. 17 in Olympia and Lobby Day Jan. 18. Our moderated panel discussions at Legislative Day will feature legislators and industry leaders talking about budget and taxes, labor and workforce and education and workforce training issues. Gov. Chris Gregoire has been invited to be ourlunch keynote speaker. Legislative Day culminates with our Legislative Reception, a premiere event bringing legislators and business leaders together at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia. Then join us the next day as we travel to the Capitol to meet directly with your legislators. Be sure to register before Dec. 16 to secure a meeting with your lawmaker. Also, you can show your support through sponsorship. Contact Anne Haller at 800.521.9325.

New, low cost 401(k) program for AWB Members!
AWB is pleased to announce a new member service, the BenefitGuard 401(k) Plan. You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company to have benefits like one! The plan is full-service and low cost and can be tailored to your company’s specific needs. The plan takes care of all the paperwork, the plan audit and IRS filings so that your time is spent taking care of your business. To find out how to take care of this powerful retirement plan option, please call us toll free at 866.670.4015 or go to http://www.awbbenefitguardplan.com/.

THEY SAID IT
“I just have to point out that people who write things like that have never been in a position to deal with the regulations that we're talking about here … This is not an abstract or hypothetical or ideological issue. It is real and it has to be addressed in a real fashion.” ~ Attorney General Rob McKenna, responding to the Seattle P-I.com’s claim that his 2012 gubernatorial campaign kick-off speech contained “some familiar, Association of Washington-style bromides on government regulation.”

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