TOP STORIES
House approves deeply flawed UI bill
Last Friday, the House passed an amended version of the Senate’s unemployment insurance conformity bill, SB 5963, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle. What started as an agreement to reduce the impact of necessary changes to the UI system in order to meet federal law now contains amendments that reflect labor's desire to increase UI benefits and raise UI taxes.AWB is deeply disappointed that the House damaged such a necessary bill and passed it in a deeply flawed form. Contact your state senator today and tell them that tax increases jeopardize businesses and the jobs they provide. Tell them not to concur with the House changes and to insist on sending Gov. Gregoire their original bill. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward.


Governor urges creation of Washington Aerospace Council
Stressing the need for greater collaboration on aerospace training in our state, Gov. Chris Gregoire testified early this morning before the House Committee on Community Trade and Economic Development on her proposal to create the Washington Aerospace Council. House Bill 2308, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, would create an aerospace subcabinet to coordinate worker training at programs at the state’s community and technical colleges and four-year universities. The group would also be charged with managing the recruitment of aerospace companies, creating jobs to grow the industry, and providing policy advice to the governor and Legislature. The proposal comes after the completion of a Deloitte Consulting study released last Thursday by the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County detailing Washington’s competitiveness in the aerospace industry as compared with other four other states (Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kansas). Gary Chandler, AWB vice president of government affairs, testified in favor of the proposal today while also encouraging legislators to consider the greater impact of aerospace on Washington state.


Voters may be asked to hike sales tax in wake of budget cuts
With just two weeks left in the regular legislative session, House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said there's better than a "50-50" chance lawmakers will ask voters to increase the sales tax to help backfill proposed cuts to state health programs. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, suggests a possible increase of the state sales tax by three-tenths of a penny, or 0.3 percent.The latest polling data from MooreInformation suggests a temporary sales tax increase to solve Washington's revenue shortfall would be a "tough sell”. Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


AWB establishes Judy Coovert Award for volunteerism|
This spring, AWB will unveil a new award honoring excellence in volunteerism to the association. The new Judy Coovert Award recognizes Judy Coovert who, with her husband, runs Printcom in Burien. Coovert has chaired AWB’s Policy Summit, served on the Executive and Finance Committees, served on AWB’s Board and the Paid Family Leave Task Force and continually helps AWB recruit members. The Judy Coovert Award will be presented annually, beginning with the May 19 meeting at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. Coovert will receive the inaugural award and Bill Meacham of the Baldwin Resource Group will be the first recipient. Meacham has been extremely helpful to AWB over the years in setting up AWB Agency Services, establishing the annual AWB Services Lecture Series at Seattle Pacific University and helping to shape compensation packages for AWB’s staff. Please join us in congratulating these two outstanding AWB members!


KEY HEARINGS, MEETINGS
Lobby Lunch #11: Haugen talks transportation
Last week’s Lobby Lunch featured Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. Haugen expressed skepticism and discomfort about legislative proposals to link reducing vehicle miles traveled to state funding of local projects. “We need to be real careful about what we mandate,” said Haugen, who represents a largely rural district that would be hit hard under a vehicle miles traveled scheme.


CANCELLED: Lobby Lunch on April 16
The AWB Lobby Lunch scheduled for this Thursday, April 16 has been cancelled.


PRIORITY LEGISLATION
Senate passes workers’ comp bill that raises costs
Despite the strong and unanimous objections of the business community, the Senate passed SHB 1402, sponsored by Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia, the trial-lawyer championed bill that restricts informal communications between employers and medical providers during workers’ comp appeals, injects unnecessary legal formality into the claims process, and overturns a Washington Supreme Court workers’ comp precedent. These new restrictions are expected to add up to a million dollars per year in increased claims costs for the state, and more for self-insured employers. The mostly party-line vote was 29-18.AWB asks members to contact Gov. Chris Gregoire and request a veto of this unnecessary, expensive, and one-sided legislation.For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft.


So-called retro ‘reform’ bill one step from House floor
A bill imposing several new regulations on the workers' compensation retrospective ratings program — SB 6035, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, is now one step from the House floor. AWB believes this bill is unnecessary and a regrettable politicization of a very successful workers' comp program. Urge your House members to prevent this bill from going any further. For more information, contact Kris Tefft.


House passes bill increasing punitive damages under Consumer Protection Act
Trial lawyers chalked up another win with House passage of SSB 5531, sponsored by Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, which increases the availability of punitive damages under the Consumer Protection Act and lowers the burden of proof necessary for litigants to recover them.Despite some helpful clarifications in the House Judiciary Committee, AWB requested support for a floor amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend. That amendment, which would have addressed the burden of proof in CPA claims, failed, and the bill went on to pass, 59-39, along mostly party lines. For more information, contact Kris Tefft.


Urge senators to oppose deeply flawed home warranty bill and support Haugen amendment
The Senate will soon take up consideration of and vote on E2SHB 1393, sponsored by Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland. This measure will greatly increase contractor liability and insurance premiums without providing any meaningful relief for homeowners. Contact your senators immediately and ask them to vote no on E2SHB 1393 in its current form. Also ask them to support the striking amendment to the bill as introduced by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island.. The Haugen amendment corrects many of the bill’s worst aspects. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe.


Don’t allow ferries to wiggle out of renewable fuel standard — support the Delvin amendment
In 2006, the Legislature created a renewable fuel standard in Washington state. AWB strongly supports the development, production and use of biofuels in Washington, but opposed this measure because of the state-imposed, mandatory biofuel use requirements on the private sector. Now the state is backing away from its commitment to biofuels, but leaving private citizens on the hook. SSB 6109, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, exempts the Washington state ferry fleet, the state’s largest potential user of biodiesel, from the renewable fuel standard. The state should maintain its commitment to the biodiesel market. If the private sector must abide by a biofuel mandate, so should the state. It is only fair. Contact your senator immediately and ask for their support of an amendment from Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, which would restore the state’s ferry system to the renewable fuels standard. For more information, contact Chris McCabe.


Bill would tie state funding of local projects to reducing vehicle miles traveled
House Bill 2010, sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, ties state money for local governments to reducing vehicle miles traveled. This measure is one step from a vote on the Senate floor. AWB is working to remedy the bill’s potentially costly and restrictive regulations. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe and Grant Nelson.


RFID bill headed for the governor’s signature
A bill that regulates the use of radio frequency identification microchips will be signed by Gov. Gregoire. The governor is expected to sign HB 1011, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, regarding the use of RFIT tags used for tracking and identifying products. AWB worked with Rep. Morris to ensure that the measure would not add burdensome expenses and needless restrictions to businesses that utilize this emerging technology. For more information, contact Grant Nelson.


House passes sensible air quality legislation restricting wood stove use
The House passed SB 5565, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island. AWB supports this bill, which allows a local air pollution control authority or the Department of Ecology to prohibit solid fuel burning devices that do not meet certification requirements in areas of the state that are not complying with air quality standards. By requiring that newer cleaner burning stoves be used in areas of the state that have known air quality problems, we can avoid serious impacts on the economy from costly regulations on businesses and loss of revenues for state transportation projects. For more information, contact Grant Nelson.


AWB opposes bill to revive county utility tax
Senate Bill 5433, sponsored by Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, is now one step from going to the House floor for a vote. AWB opposes this bill as currently amended because it includes language to resurrect the county utility tax and the brokered natural gas tax proposals. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter.


Basic education definition bill nearing Senate floor
House Bill 2261, sponsored by Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, is nearing the Senate floor. The bill redefines basic education, uses existing money for funding rather than relying on new taxes and has a strong focus on accountability, which is critical to the success of our education system. For more information, contact Amber Carter.


Annual revaluation bill one step from House floor
Senate Bill 5368, sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, is one step from the House floor. The bill would make counties value property annually for tax purposes, and is a priority for AWB this session. For more information, contact Amber Carter.


Check JobMakers for the latest on legislation and how it affects the economy
JobMakers.com is AWB’s online database of legislation affecting job creation in Washington state. Visit today and find out what your lawmaker is doing to support economic development. This site will be regularly updated throughout the 2009 legislative session.


AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
OSHA 10-hour certification course in Spokane May 18-19
Get current on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held from Monday, May 18 to Tuesday, 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Click here to register online or contact Jennifer Costello.


AWB Annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 19-20
Don’t miss AWB’s Annual Spring Board Meeting at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel. Hear a keynote address from Colleen Brown, president and CEO of Fisher Communications, Inc. and enjoy the presentation of AWB’s Community Service Awards. To register, contact Jennifer Costello or visit the AWB Web site to view a detailed agenda and register online. 


Online HR training at your fingertips — special pricing for AWB members
Employers of all sizes are vulnerable to employment disputes. New and proposed legislation continues to expand employers' exposure to claims. In fact, overall employment discrimination claims are up by 15 percent! In addition, state and federal harassment training mandates are quickly evolving; 2009 is a mandated training year for many organizations with multi-state operations. To help your company avoid problems and stay in compliance, AWB is offering a new member benefit giving you 20 percent off one of the best Online HR Compliance Training programs on the market. Watch a two-minute course preview online or contact Jennifer Davis for your AWB member discount code.


Don’t miss Washington Policy Center legislative reception
Washington Policy Center invites you to attend a special reception for its supporters and those interested in learning more about its work. These hosted events in Bellingham (Tuesday, May 12), Tacoma (Wednesday, May 20), Spokane (Wednesday, May 27) and Kennewick (Thursday, May 28) offer a wrap up of the 2009 legislative session, focusing on how it will affect you and your business. WPC's board members, president and research center directors will review their recent work during this legislative session, and offer a preview of the top issues to look for during the remainder of 2009. Please RSVP for the free event by contacting Lindsay Leveque at 206.937.9691.


Wage & Hour Law Seminar – June 9 in Bellevue
A steady stream of wage and hour litigation threatens to inundate employers. Those investigations often result in considerable fines to the employer as a result of the employer’s failure to keep proper records and pay its employees accurately and in a timely fashion. Join us for this half day seminar and leave with rock-solid knowledge and the confidence to make the right decisions. Protect your organization and your career. It couldn’t be easier. Register online or contact Jennifer Costello.


THEY SAID IT
“Substitute House Bill 1402 sets different rules for claimants’ attorneys than for employers’ attorneys, and unfairly tilts the process in favor of the claimant. It will also increase litigation, make the workers compensation system more adversarial, and make the resolution of claims more difficult and costly.” – Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake


This Week's President's Perspective: The tax looks greener on the other side of the fence