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Politics dominates AWB policy forum
By Jan Teague, President/CEO
I recently attended the two-day conference of the Association of Washington Business where Politics was the main agenda. Over three hundred people were there including incumbent legislators, candidates, government affairs types and business owners.
What a great opportunity it was to get a feel for what those who care about politics thought about various races and issues. Stuart Elway, who does polling, was there with his nifty polling gadgets so we could all vote on various issues. We also had some political pundits who speculated on the impact that the Presidential race would have on Washington State.
It wasn't very good news, really. The Obama factor is quite strong in Washington. One speaker pointed out that you could see all the votes you need from the Space Needle, indicating that even with a strong rural and Eastern Washington voter turnout, it is hard to gain voting blocks bigger than Seattle.
On the question of the "change" message, Elway, who had done some recent polling on the subject, said there was no groundswell to change state government. Another speaker said there was no longer an election day; now there is an election month. Because we have mail-in ballots, the early mail is a strong indicator of the results. Typically the final late vote is only 2 percent to 3 percent different from the early vote.
We heard debates for all the statewide offices. Dino Rossi was endorsed by the group although Governor Gregoire held her own in the debate. This debate can be seen on TVW, so check their schedule, if you haven't already caught it. We are just a few weeks away from Election Day. Ballots will be in the mail on October 17.
Check our webpage at www.retailassociation.org for all of the endorsements that WRA has made. Please encourage your employees to vote. Every vote counts.
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Online voters' guide debuts
The state's Online Voters' Guide for the November 4 General Election is now available, Secretary of State Sam Reed announced.
"The Online Voters' Guide is another helpful and convenient tool for voters to use as they study the candidates and issues and fill out their ballot this fall," Reed said. "It's easy to access and provides plenty of useful information."
The guide includes updated candidate statements, biographies, videos, photos and ballot measure text for the General Election. It is available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
To access the Online Voters' Guide, go to www.vote.wa.gov and then click on the Online Voters' Guide button at the top.
A printed voter pamphlet will be distributed to most Washington voters the week of Oct. 13. A version for military and overseas and out-of-state workers was distributed last week.
Voters also may access an online voter guide produced by the G.R.O.W Program (Growing Roots for Our Workforce). Access the G.R.O.W. site at www.growwa.com.
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Health Insurance Partnership in doubt
The future of a proposed state-run program attempting to help small businesses and their employees obtain health care coverage is in doubt.
The development surfaced this week when Steve Hill, administrator of the state Health Care Authority, called the Health Insurance Partnership program " flawed." Hill commented during a meeting of HIP's board of directors. Apparently the program's economic model that has evolved during the past two years won't work in practice.
Additionally, the state faces a projected $3.2 billion revenue shortfall and with layoffs looming in state government, it has become increasingly unclear how to pay for HIP. A state-paid private consultant has estimated it would cost $3.37 billion a year to operate HIP when it is fully implemented.
HIP would provide small companies with fewer than 50 employees access to health insurance coverage at a lower employer contribution rate than is traditional in the small group health insurance market.
Unfortunately, HIP's model included the elimination or absorption of Association Health Plans (AHPs), a successful, long-running private program offered by many trade groups.
HIP is scheduled to begin accepting applications for enrollment in January, at the start of the next Legislative session. Health insurance coverage is currently scheduled to begin in March of next year, but could be delayed.
The HIP board has a recommendation pending to the Legislature on the future of the health care program. Governor Christine Gregoire's office also must decide whether to propose funding it in the next state budget proposal, and the Legislature has the option of choosing whether to fund the program.
Small businesses employ about 1.3 million people statewide. According to HIP, about 17 percent of businesses with fewer than 50 employees in the state offer no health care insurance to their full time employees.
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High court rules to protect jobs for victims
Employers may be liable for wrongful discharge if they terminate an at-will employee for absenteeism related to domestic violence issues, the state Supreme Court has ruled.
The ruling follows last year's passage of a House bill (2602) that requires employers to provide "reasonable" leave of absence for domestic violence victims.
The case deeply divided the court, which issued four separate opinions in a 3-2-2-2 split among the justices.
It involved a 2005 lawsuit in which a former Laidlaw Transit scheduler in King County argued her employer violated public policy when it fired her. The termination followed the woman taking time off to protect her and her children from an abusive husband. A narrow court majority argued the state Legislature has made it a matter of public policy to protect domestic violence victims, but it also expressed concern that the decision could burden employers. Employers in the state typically may terminate non-contract employees without giving a reason.
In terminating scheduler Ramona Danny after she took requested time off from work, the transit company accused her of falsifying her timecard.
To review more than 70 pages on legal opinions in the case, go to "Danny v. Laidlaw Transit Services" by clicking on http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.recent.
Sources: State Supreme Court, Seattle Times
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Cargo pollution fee vetoed in California
A bill that would have imposed a pollution fee on California cargo ships has been vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill last week for fear it would hurt California's economy by driving cargo ships to other states.
His veto makes it less likely a Washington state lawmaker would try such as move as it would put the Northwest at a competitive disadvantage with California, said Jan Teague, President/CEO of the Washington Retail Association.
The California bill, by Democratic Sen. Alan Lowenthal, would have imposed a fee of up to $60 for every 40-foot cargo container moving through the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. Proponents hoped the estimated $300 million a year in revenues from the fees could be used to reduce smog around California ports.
In the California example, Alaska, Hawaii and major retailers that import from Asia objected that the pollution charge would have raised consumer prices.
Source: Sacramento Bee
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WRA retro members enjoy reduced premiums
A new report indicates that 48 percent of the Washington Retail Association's retail retro members and 60 percent of its auto retro members are enjoying reduced workers' compensation insurance premiums from the claims free discount program.
Retro members can qualify for reduced premiums to the Department of Labor and Industries by committing to programs that improve workplace safety and reduce hazards. Members also receive safety and claims management assistance from WRA's retro staff.
Our retro members and the WRA staff deserve thanks and congratulations for making this benefit and savings possible.
Source: Department of Labor and Industries
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Small business forums start this month
The Washington Policy Center will launch a series of six statewide small business forums later this month in Spokane.
The Washington Retail Association is a co-presenter of the series.
The forums aim to update small business owners on policy changes that affect their business operations. Attendees will hear from WPC research staff, hear a preview of the 2009 Legislative session and discuss how the November elections could affect them.
The $25 cost includes a meal and forum materials.
Locations include:
*Spokane, Oct 29, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the Spokane Red Lion at the Park.
*Tri Cities, Oct. 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Red Lion Hotel - Richland Hanford House.
*Bellevue, Nov. 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at Bellevue's Red Lion.
*Central Washington, Nov. 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at Wenatchee's Red Lion Hotel. Register through Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce.
*Tacoma, Nov. 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m,. at Tacoma's LaQuinta Inn. Register through Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.
*Vancouver, Nov. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Red Lion at the Quay.
For more information, e-mail lleveque@washingtonpolicy.org or call 206-937-9691.
Source: Washington Policy Center
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Wal-Mart begins drive to reduce plastic bags
Wal-Mart has announced a plan to reduce the company's use of plastic shopping bags by an average 33 percent per store by 2013.
To reach the goal, Wal-Mart will reduce the number of bags it gives out and encourage use of reusable bags while allowing customers the ability to continue recycling plastic shopping bags. Beginning this month, Wal-Mart will begin selling reusable bags for 50 cents each.
"By reducing the number of plastic bags our customers use, increasing the availability and affordability of reusable bags and providing recycling solutions, we think we can eliminate plastic waste equivalent to nine billion plastic bags per year from our existing stores alone," said Matt Kistler, senior vice president for sustainability. "If we can encourage consumers to change their behavior, just one bag at a time, we believe real progress can be made toward our goal of creating zero waste."
Wal-Mart is carrying out its waste reduction strategy with the Environmental Defense Fund. Estimates are that 60 percent to 80 percent of marine debris is plastic. Wal-Mart also believes reducing plastic bag waste could save money for governments.
The company said California spends about $25 million a year to discard plastic bags into landfills.
Source: Wal-Mart Stores
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More expected to celebrate Halloween
More consumers plan to spend more this year on Halloween than last year, a survey has found.
A poll of 8,167 shoppers found that more consumers plan to celebrate Halloween this year (64.5 percent versus 58.7 percent) and each person plans to spend an average $66.54 on the holiday, up from $64.82 a year ago.
The results contrasts with lower-than-average growth projections for holiday spending this year, dragged down by rising unemployment, high energy prices and tumbling stock prices.
The National Retail Federation's Halloween survey was conducted by BIGresearch, an online research company.
"Though the economy is struggling, Halloween sales may be a bright spot for retailers this fall," said Tracy Mullin, NRF President and CEO. "Consumers may be looking at Halloween as an opportunity to forget the stresses of daily life and just have a little fun."
Halloween is most popular with young adults with 18-24 year olds planning to spend an average $86.59 on the holiday. Halloween spending this year is estimated at $5.77 billion.
Source: National Retail Federation
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Fewer holiday jobs expected this year.
There could be fewer holiday-related jobs to be had this year, a new survey has found.
A survey of 1,000 hiring managers found they plan to hire an average 3.7 seasonal employees this year, down from 5.6 workers last year, the IPSOS Public Affairs survey found. Of those surveyed, 57 percent said they didn't plan to make any seasonal hires this year.
Source: SnagAJob.com
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Coupon use picking up
U.S. coupon use showed a slight increase in the first quarter of this year, the first such quarterly increase in 15 years, research shows.
The research company Unilever NV found that 7.4 percent of product volumes were sold with coupons in the first quarter, up from 7 percent the first quarter of last year. The company studied 47,000 consumers across the country.
"Consumers are looking for coping mechanisms," says Lisa Klauser, vice president of consumer and customer solutions, at products company Unilever U.S. "Coupons are one way they are trying to make ends meet, get more bang for the buck."
The weakening economy is pushing some companies to use coupons as a creative way of promising better "value" to consumers. As consumers eat out less, Kraft Foods Inc., for instance, has created coupons that are intended to make the idea of a brown-bag lunch more financially appetizing. The company has put together coupon booklets with a dollar off on each of six brands that go toward making a sandwich: Oscar Mayer deli meats, Kraft cheese slices, mustard, pickles, mayonnaise and Ritz toasted chips.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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"E-Cycle" Website launches
A Website has been launched to explain a free statewide electronics recycling program beginning in January.
The Website www.ecyclewashington.org outlines how the program will allow owners of televisions, computers, laptops and monitors to recycle them free of charge. The program is a collective effort by electronics manufacturers, collectors, recyclers, local and state governments and non-profit groups.
The Washington Materials Management & Financing Authority charged with overseeing the program expects to offer more than 200 drop off locations in every state county and community with a population of more than 10,000.
Recycling companies currently charge fees to dispose of obsolete electronics equipment. The new free program will not accept certain items such as computer mice, printers, cell phones or scanners.
The Electronic Products Recycling Act of 2006 permitted the collection program with the aim of reducing the landfill volumes of metals, glass, plastics and other materials contained in electronic components.
Source: Washington Materials Management & Financing Authority
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