Washington legislation to restrict employer free speech now in doubt
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Chamber of Commerce of the United States et al. v. Brown et al. that states may no longer restrict the right of employers to communicate with their employees about unionization. The decision will likely impact proposed legislation in Washington state know as the “Worker Privacy Act.” “It’s simply unethical for a state to use taxpayers’ funds to tie the hands of employers in union organizing drives,” said Steven Law, chief legal officer and general counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Not only is it unethical, but today the Supreme Court declared that it’s unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act.”

GAO backs Boeing on refueling tanker deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — From the Spokesman-Review: According to the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Air Force did not follow its own rules with its award of a $35 billion contract for a refueling tanker to a consortium including Northrop Grumman and EADS (the parent company of Airbus SAS). The GAO’s ruling backs a challenge by Boeing, supported by AWB, which proposed to retool Boeing 767 airliners in Washington state to replace the aging fleet of KC-135 refueling tankers. The Air Force’s current plan, awarded earlier this year, controversially slated components of the new KC-45A for construction in Europe before final assembly in the United States.

Alaskan Way Viaduct continues sinking
SEATTLE — From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Despite recently completed repair work to prevent its sinking, part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, near Pioneer Square, settled one-eighth of an inch in recent months. According to the state, however, the settling appears to have stopped. In addition to the Viaduct itself, the Columbia Street onramp has also settled 3.5 inches since the middle of the 1990s, possibly due, at least in part, to the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Gov. Chris Gregoire has promised to tear down the deteriorating viaduct by 2012. Nevertheless, there has yet to be a decision on what will replace the structure.

Job growth in the Tri-Cities increased by 25 percent over last decade
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the Tri-Cities are fifth in the nation among metropolitan areas for the greatest percentage of growth in non-farm jobs over a one-year period. Tri-Cities jobs climbed 4.3 percent since last April. According to Dean Schau, regional labor market economist, the number of jobs in the Tri-Cities have grown by 25 percent since 1997. During this same period, the area’s annual payroll also nearly doubled. According to the POLICOM Corporation’s 2008 Metropolitan Statistical Areas Economic Strength Ranking, the Tri-Cities now ranks 137 in a field of 363 metropolitan areas — moving up 38 spots from last year’s ranking.

Chinook and sockeye maintain healthy numbers on Columbia River
BONNEVILLE DAM, Ore. — Reports from the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River indicate moderately healthy numbers of adult spring chinook heading upriver to spawn this year. In addition, sockeye salmon are also showing a healthy return with a tally of 136,435 fish — flying in the face of a much less optimistic prediction of 75,600. In contrast, the 2007 run was only 26,700. As of the end nears for 2008’s spring chinook salmon season on the Columbia River, almost 152,000 adult fish had been counted at the dam. These numbers are a considerable improvement over the past three years, ranging from 126,000 chinook in 2006 to only 81,000 in 2007.

New China center means more international options for WSU students
PULLMAN — Washington State University’s College of Business signed an agreement recenly for a new center at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu, China. This gives the college a permanent presence at SWUFE, with office space and a program director onsite. The agreement will allow the college to further develop study-abroad programs as well as support graduate education and research projects in China. The program director will serve as a local representative for relationship building and problem solving and will assist with logistical issues for faculty and students, as well as assisting with screening SWUFE students wishing to attend WSU.

Washington and British Columbia draft border crossing plan
KELOWNA, B.C. — From the Associated Press: In advance of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Washington and British Columbia signed an agreement to streamline cross-border travel. According to the deal, the state and province will work on speeding border-crossing times using extra staff. The agreement includes an assurance that there will be 10 new U.S. inspection booths at Blaine’s Peace Arch crossing. British Columbia and Washington will also push to have the new enhanced driver’s licenses — currently valid for land U.S.-Canada border crossings — accepted for U.S.-Canada air travel. The U.S. and Canadian governments must still approve the agreement.

90 minute Seattle-to-Portland commuter service comes to Boeing Field
PORTLAND — Travelers commuting between Seattle and Portland have a new alternative. SeaPort Airlines is now flying both ways between King County Municipal Airport, popularly known as Boeing Field, and the new airline’s own terminal adjacent to Flightcraft at Portland International Airport. Both sites avoid the congestion and delays associated with Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. In addition, passengers may arrive 15 minutes before the 186-mile, 90-minute flight, and utilize onsite parking. SeaPort Airlines operates the Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12, a pressurized, fast and comfortable turbo-prop aircraft. Flights will cost $149 round trip during July as an introductory fare, plus applicable fees and taxes.

Legislator’s spouse heads to 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
ATLANTA — Sumner athlete Melanie Roach is on her way to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. With a 5-foot 1-inch, 117-pound frame, Roach, a weightlifter, earned the number-one overall ranking at the Olympic trials, lifting 242 pounds. Roach will compete Aug. 10 in the 53-kilogram (117-pound) class. Roach is married to Rep. Dan Roach, R-Sumner, and is a spokesperson for Autism Speaks. “I just can’t believe all the support from the community! I just wish I could take everyone with me to Beijing,” said Roach. “This is such an honor to represent our community and raise autism awareness.”

Grant County PUD looking at planned clean coal plant in Montana
MOSES LAKE — From the Columbian Basin Herald: The Grant County Public Utility District is considering the possibility of eventually getting some of its power from the Highwood Generating Station — a clean-coal-fired power-generating plant project planned for Montana. By utilizing coal-fired generation, the PUD — which relies heavily on hydro power — would be able to diversify its energy portfolio. “If we get into a low water year, [we’ll have] something we can rely on,” PUD Commissioner Tom Flint said. “The important thing is to get a firm power base that we can use and one that’s 24-7 we can rely on.”

Power-on marks important milestone for Boeing 787 Dreamliner
EVERETT – From The (Everett, Wash.) Herald: Boeing finished turning on electrical power in the new 787 Dreamliner, an important step in preparation for a first flight. “The team has made great progress in bringing the bold innovation of the 787 to reality,” said Pat Shanahan, the 787 program’s vice president and general manager. “There is plenty of work to be done between now and first flight, but with every step forward we grow more and more confident.” Boeing, which began turning on the 787’s electrical power in early June, plans to deliver its first 787 in the third quarter of 2009.

Survey ranks Olympia as most secure mid-sized city in United States
LOS ANGELES — Health, prosperity, safety and security are all desirable aspects when it comes to finding a place to live, work and raise a family. According to the fourth-annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, Olympia and its surrounding areas received the top ranking for mid-sized cities. The rankings took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, environmental hazards, terrorism threats, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers in 379 U.S. municipalities. The study divided the communities into three groups: large metropolitan areas, mid-size cities and small towns.

Maytown intermodal transport and cargo center plan bites the dust
TACOMA — From the Olympian: The Port of  Tacoma dropped its plans to develop an intermodal transportation and cargo center near Maytown, in southern Thurston County. Initially, the port was considering developing its property, which would have provided a freight transfer point between rail and trucks, in conjunction with the Port of Olympia. Instead, the 745-acre parcel will go up for sale. Opposed by assorted environmental groups and rural preservationists, the project would have added up to 1,900 jobs in Thurston County and would have also potentially provided the financially struggling Port of Olympia with revenue.

AWB honors 48 state legislators for continuing support of business
OLYMPIA — AWB awarded 48 legislators with the coveted 2008 Cornerstone Award for their efforts to support the business community. AWB gives the award to legislators who vote for business-friendly legislation and vote against legislation that would further erode the state’s competitiveness. “The Cornerstone Award is our way of thanking those legislators who believe in competitiveness, economic growth and job creation,” AWB President Don Brunell said. In order to receive the award, legislators must vote in support of the business community more than 80 percent of the time. For a full list of the award’s recipients, visit http://www.awb.org/articles/pressreleases2008/awb_awards_legislators_for_continuous_support.htm.

Japan Airlines to close 747 training facility in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — From the Bellingham Herald: After 40 years of operation, Japan Airlines will close it 747-400 training department facilities at Grant County International Airport in March 2009 due to high fuel costs involved in training with four-engine aircraft. In addition, it is costly for the airline to fly trainees and instructors to Moses Lake. Japan Airlines will start phasing out all 747 passenger models during 2009, and will switch to two-engine planes. The company will still use larger aircraft for cargo, but will not fly these planes in Moses Lake. Japan Airlines has six employees in Moses Lake.