Rossi to receive 2008 Matson Award
Former state Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Sammamish, will receive AWB’s 2008 Jim Matson Award at the AWB Policy Summit in September. The award recognizes a current or former state legislator who consistently supports issues important to Washington’s employers and the state’s competitiveness. AWB members chose Rossi as the recipient during last week’s Government Affairs Council retreat. “Dino Rossi’s selection as the 2008 Jim Matson Award winner is in keeping with the long tradition of past recipients who, over the years, have been consistent supporters of employers, making sure our state is competitive when it comes to jobs and the economy,” said AWB President Don C. Brunell. “Our members recognize his leadership on the 2003 state budget when he was chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and worked with Gov. Locke to implement the Priorities and Price of Government (POG) program. Using the POG, the Legislature and governor prioritized state spending and no major tax increases resulted, even though there was a $2.7 billion revenue shortfall if the state continued its approach to spending heading into the 2003-05 biennium. It was a time, very similar to 2008, when our state’s economy was slow.”

 

Mark your calendars: Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on Aug. 26
AWB’s Climate Change Subcommittee will meet on Aug. 26 at AWB from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Washington State Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning and Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Director Juli Wilkerson, along with Janice Adair, Ted Sturdevant and Tony Usibelli, will discuss the Western Climate Initiative’s design recommendations for a cap and trade program, the Climate Action Team’s greenhouse gas emissions action items, the greenhouse gas emission reporting rule, and other climate-related efforts, including possible legislation for 2009. For more information, please contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Governor appoints Bean to workforce board
Gov. Gregoire announced the appointment of Martin Bean/Microsoft, an AWB member organization, a position on the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Bean currently serves as general manager of worldwide education strategy, products and solutions for the world’s largest software company. “Martin will bring national and international experience and perspective to the workforce board,” said AWB President Don Brunell, who nominated him. Bean joins former AWB Chair Creigh Agnew and AWB Institute Director Mike Hudson as the three members representing business on the workforce board. For more information, please contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 or MikeH@awb.org.

 

Energy Committee meeting on Aug. 1
AWB’s Energy Committee will meet on Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Discussion will include possible changes to AWB energy policy principles and continue discussing AWB’s legislative agenda and objectives for 2009-2010. For more information, please contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

NAM study exposes massive cost of federal climate change legislation
Want to see the huge impact a cap and trade system to mitigate climate change would actually have on the economy? Check out a study from the National Association of Manufacturers that examines the costs of S.2191 (America’s Climate Security Act of 2007), sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and John Warner, R-Va., which aims to reduce total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 63 percent below 2005 levels by 2050 through cap and trade. The study finds the costs “overwhelming.” See for yourself at www.accf.org/nam.html, or read about it on AWB’s own Olympia Business Watch.

 

Jobs, taxes and gas top list of Washington voters’ concerns
The latest Moore Information Poll of Washington shows that jobs, taxes and gas prices top the list of voters’ concerns. The statewide telephone survey of 400 voters asked: “When it comes to improving Washington’s economy, what are you most concerned about?” Moore’s analysis is that 36 percent of those polled are concerned with personal pocketbook issues like high taxes, fuel costs, housing costs and the cost of living. Jobs also continue to be the highest-rated concern, with 21 percent of those polled saying it is THE MOST IMPORTANT economic concern. As Bill Clinton said in 1992, “It’s the economy!”

 

Western Climate Initiative’s draft cap and trade design available this week
The Western Climate Initiative will release its draft design recommendations for a cap and trade program for public comment on July 23. Comments on the draft design are due Aug. 15, and the final design is slated for completion by Sept. 22. The final WCI document will set the stage for legislation in the coming 2009 session, which could lead to significant cost increases for businesses and citizens in the state. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

July/August issue of Washington Business magazine coming soon
Keep an eye out for the July/August issue of Washington Business magazine, arriving in your mailboxes soon. This issue looks at Washington’s important manufacturing sector and features other great items like a column from AWB General Counsel Kris Tefft about the Supreme Court decision on the union gag rule and what it means to AWB members.

 

Water Quality Committee meets tomorrow
AWB’s Water Quality Committee will meet July 22 at 10 a.m. to discuss water quality permit fees, hear an update on the Puget Sound Partnership, and discuss the next steps in developing the Industrial Stormwater General Permit and anti-mixing zone legislation. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Register now for the 19th Annual Policy Summit, Sept. 24-26 at Semiahmoo Resort
Given their significant impact on our economic vitality as a state, the upcoming elections will be the focus of the 2008 AWB Policy Summit. The highlight will be a debate on Thursday evening between the gubernatorial candidates, moderated by Seattle Times columnist David Postman. Debates for other key elected positions such as Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General and Public Lands Commissioner are also scheduled. For a full agenda and to register, click here. To make room reservations, call Semiahmoo Resort at (800) 770-7992 and reference the AWB room block.

 

Healthy Worksite Summit
As the direct and indirect costs of poor employee health continue to grow, employers must develop strategies and utilize tools to reverse this trend. The 22nd Annual Healthy Worksite Summit will help your organization develop new programs, revitalize an existing program and share best practices that will motivate and sustain a healthy and productive work environment. The summit is on Oct. 1 and 2 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and on Oct. 3 at the Deaconess Health & Education Center in Spokane. For more information, please visit the Association of Washington Cities online.

 

Be an AWB Policy Summit sponsor
AWB needs sponsors for the Policy Summit on Sept. 24-26 at Semiahmoo Resort. As a sponsor, your company receives acknowledgement before, during and after the event in marketing materials, signage and in AWB’s Washington Business magazine. Display advertising opportunities are also available. Click here for more information. For more information, please contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at JenniferD@awb.org.

 

AWB to hold regional board meetings in September
Don’t miss your chance to let AWB know what we can do for you! AWB’s annual round of regional board meetings are your chance to participate in the formation of our 2009 Legislative Agenda. Be sure to mark your region’s meeting on your calendar: Sept. 3 (Spokane), Sept. 4 (Kennewick), Sept. 5 (Moses Lake), Sept. 9 (Vancouver), Sept. 10 (Tacoma), Sept. 16 (Everett), and Sept. 17 (Bellevue). AWB will also conduct legislative candidate interviews following the board meetings. For more information, please contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

Simplify your job with the updated Human Resources File Cabinet Handbook
This comprehensive, plain-English guide is designed to assist Washington employers in preparing, revising and reviewing employee business forms. The Human Resources File Cabinet (6th Edition) will help you create and maintain accurate human resources files with minimal time and effort. The handbook includes all the human resources forms you will need from pre-employment to termination with detailed instructions on how to use and maintain each form. Click here to order online. For more information, please contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

 

Order your copy of the 2008 Washington Employment Law Deskbook
The 2008 Washington Employment Law Deskbook (17th Edition) is a key reference guide to legal issues facing Washington employers. The reference guide offers sample policies, solutions and easy-to-understand guidelines. Each book comes with a searchable CD-ROM for quick access to specific topics. For more information, please contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org, or click here to order online.