Retail Association announces candidate endorsements
The Washington Retail Association has announced endorsements for state Legislative races to be decided in the August 19 primary.
For state Senate, WRA endorsed incumbents Bob McCaslin in District 4; Cheryl Pflug in District 5; Mark G. Schoesler in District 9; Linda Evans Parlette in District 12; Mike Hewitt in District 16; Joseph Zarelli in District 18; and Mike Carrell in District 28.
For the state House of Representatives, WRA endorsed incumbents Jay Rodne and Glenn Anderson in District 5; John E. Ahern in District 6; Barbara Bailey in District 10; Cary Condotta and Mike Armstrong in District 12; Judith Warnick and Bill Hinkle in District 13; Charles Ross in District 14; Bruce Chandler and Dan Newhouse in District 15;
Maureen Walsh in District 16; Richard DeBolt and Gary C. Alexander in District 20;
and Doug Ericksen in District 42.
In a letter to endorsed candidates, WRA President and CEO Jan Teague thanked the candidates for their reliable voting records in supporting the association's pledge to oppose unnecessary regulation and taxes on retail operators. This is WRA's first round of endorsements in support of candidates whose voting records rank highest in support of priority issues of importance to retailers.
Washington's new Top 2 primary allows voters to choose among all candidates running for each office. Voters do not have to declare a party affiliation and the two candidates who receive the most votes for each office in the primary will qualify to run in the November general election. |
Website promotes statewide voter participation
A new Website for the G.R.O.W. Program (Growing Roots for Our Workforce) has been compiled to help employees and citizens in need of learning how to register to vote, learning about election issues and the positions of candidates running for office in their districts.
Think of the G.R.O.W program as an electronic voter guide, and then some.
The Website is a useful tool to help Washington Retail Association members determine which candidates will best support their needs as business owners and employees. To access the G.R.O.W Program's Website, click on this link.G.R.O.W
The site provides a useful variety of information to promote public involvement in the political process including voter registration, a review of campaign issues and the qualifications of candidates running for office.
As part of the public education program, G.R.O.W. sends out periodic reminders about key dates in the political process to ensure maximum voter participation. |
Nominations Open from Membership for Board of Directors
The Washington Retail Association is seeking nominations for the Board of Directors. Board members direct the affairs of the Washington Retail Association (WRA), identify legislative priorities, adopt policies and procedures and control property and funds of the association.
The Board meets three times per year to discuss association business. The 2008 fall Board meeting will be held in Seattle at the 7-11 headquarters on November 12. Any WRA member is welcome to attend Board meetings. At this meeting, the upcoming legislative priorities will be discussed as well as the emerging issues anticipated for the 2009 legislative session. Early next year, the Board will meet in Olympia and talk to key legislative leaders about our top priorities. The summer retreat will be held at the Tulalip Resort July 12-13, 2009 where the Board looks at strategic issues.
WRA members who participate in directing the association are a key to the future political agenda of WRA. If you would like more information, please contact Jan Teague at 1-800-752-9552 ext. 19 or send a letter of interest to jteague@retailassociation.org |
Food handlers must keep records of suppliers
The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 requires a broad cross section of the food-handling industry to keep up to two years of records identifying the sources of its food supplies for federal regulators, a Food Marketing Institute seminar reported this week.
The records, whether on computers or paper, must be available within 24 hours notice from the Food and Drug Administration. The law applies not only to food manufacturers and large grocery chains, but warehouses and distribution centers, said Deborah White, FMI's senior vice president and chief legal officer.
White said she conducted the "refresher" Internet seminar due to recent food advisories on the safety of eating tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. The regulations do not require retailers to keep records on individual customers who buy food from them, she said.
Restaurants, in-store delis and bakeries and food retailers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from the law, White said.
The FDA must suspect that food has been tampered with before it can request records, White said. She said inspectors must give prior written notice, show credentials and are barred from examining financial or sales records.
The upcoming Presidential election in November will bring a new administration. White said she would be keeping tabs on whether recordkeeping requirements in the act might change after the election.
"We will have to stay tuned and see how the agency moves forward," White said.
Source: Food Marketing Institute |
Walgreens' discount drug plan proving popular
Walgreens reports that enrollment is surging in its prescription savings club.
The program offers members a 90-day supply of more than 400 common generic drugs for $12, a rate less than $1 a week. An individual enrollment costs $20-a-year or $35 for families.
Anyone not receiving government-sponsored prescription coverage such as Medicare and Medicaid is eligible. No prior authorization is required.
The program is proving popular with the uninsured or patients buying medications not covered under their insurance plans, said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens' senior vice president of pharmacy services. The savings on a 90-day supply of medication to treat high cholesterol, for example, would be about $115, he said.
Using one pharmacy retailer allows Walgreens' pharmacists to more completely check for dangerous drug interactions, Crawford said. The company's pharmacists can access a patient's prescription records regardless of which of its 6,356 locations he or she uses. The discount plan also covers pet medications.
"We're encouraged by the reaction to this program," Crawford said. "People are facing challenging economic times, and we're helping them save money without compromising the safety, service and convenience they value."
For a list of medications covered under the program, go to www.walgreens.com/rxsavingsclub or visit your nearest Walgreens pharmacy.
Source: Walgreens |
| Get a small business boost at Biz Fair 2008
Find small business help in an easy atmosphere at the 12th Washington Small Business Fair. This free event offers valuable information and counseling from business experts and staff from federal and state government agencies. "Biz Fair 2008" is scheduled Saturday, September 6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Renton Technical College, 3000 N.E. 4th Street, in Renton.
Get information and training in one place from local business experts, trade organizations and government agencies about how to create or expand a small business and how to navigate taxes and other government requirements. More than 40 seminars will be taught by business professionals on a wide variety of topics, including Website design, business law, financing, marketing, and business planning.
Biz Fair is free, with plenty of free parking and no advance registration. You can stay for the entire event or come for part of the day. Seminar topics and driving directions can be found at
www.bizfair.org. |
Guide helps protect against identify theft
The Federal Trade Commission has posted a 28-page guide on its Website to help businesses better protect sensitive information from identity thieves.
"Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business" can be found at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/privacy/bus69.pdf.
In short, the guide urges businesses of all sizes to take stock of what information is stored on their computers, discard information that is no longer needed and devise a plan on how to respond if a security breach should occur. The guide also addresses paper records and urges businesses to shred or burn unnecessary records.
FTC attorney Lesley Fair warns that lax security as it pertains to records can cripple a business. Security thieves with access to business records can drain bank accounts, open illegitimate lines of credit and take themselves on shopping sprees at company expense.
Source: Federal Trade Commission |
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Registration is now open for the Governor's Safety and Health Conference.
Thousands of workers are injured, and sadly, more than 100 Washington workers die from job-related injuries each year. Many of these injuries and losses are preventable. The conference provides resources to assist in design and maintenance of a sound safety and healthy culture at your workplace. The benefits include; reduced injuries, less time lost from work, money saved on industrial insurance premiums and an increase in profits. The comprehensive safety skills gained will benefit you far beyond the workplace.
There are two great pre-conference sessions, one dealing with wellness for commercial drivers that is a MUST SEE for any type of driver working out of their vehicle. This will take place Tuesday, September 23, 8:30am - 4:30pm at the DoubleTree Hotel, Spokane Falls Ballroom. For more information, please contact Sharon Drozdowsky at (360) 902-4622 or dros235@LNI.wa.gov . This is valuable for delivery drivers too!
The second session deals with Solutions for an Aging Workforce. Many workplaces are confronted by the demographic reality of an aging workforce. While older workers do have particular needs, solutions must take into account the needs of workers at all stages of their careers and lives. The course will examine specific issues, including workplace design for safety and health; work/life balance; maintaining health as we age; the roles of employers, employees, the larger community, and public policy in addressing this demographic change. For more information, visit http://nwcenter.washington.edu or contact Maribeth Moore, Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 206-543-1069 or moomoore@u.washington.edu.
Click here to view the flyer http://www.wagovconf.org/files/GISHC_08.pdf
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Registration is now open for the Governor's 2008 Economic and Workforce Development Conference, Sept. 3-4, in Lynnwood.
Learn new strategies, applaud best practices and make important connections that will help move your workforce development organization forward.
The conference features:
· An update from Gov. Chris Gregoire on The Next Washington.
· Recognition of 2008 Economic and Workforce Development Award winners.
· Cutting-edge workshops on industry clusters, Innovation Partnership Zones and the green economy.
· Compelling breakout sessions to help your organization thrive in a global marketplace.
Register now and qualify for the early-bird registration fee of $150. After Aug. 8, it's $200. Tickets to this two-day event include continental breakfast, lunch and an evening reception.
Join us and learn new ways to keep Washington's economy and workforce moving ahead!
REGISTER NOW:
www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/economy/conference
September 3 - 4, 2008
LynnwoodConvention Center
Washington Workforce Development News: Keep posted with the latest workforce development news in Washington state. Reply to this message if you would like to receive our brief weekly e-mail news.
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Shred Your Documents and Learn About ID Theft
The Washington Attorney General (AG) announced these upcoming free community shred events and free identity theft prevention forums providing opportunities to shred important personally identifiable documents. Bring your documents to be shredded!
Below is a list of upcoming events. You can find more information and additional shredding sites online at www.atg.wa.gov/shredathon.aspx.
MOSES LAKE: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location TBA. Guard It! identity theft forum with Attorney General Rob McKenna: Noon to 1:30 pm. Shredding donated by United Data Security.
CENTRALIA: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location TBA. Guard It! identity theft forum with Attorney General Rob McKenna: Noon to 1:30 pm. Shredding donated by LeMay
GOLDENDALE: Tentatively planned for Wednesday, September 10, 2008. Location TBA. In conjunction with Guard It! identity theft forum with Attorney General Rob McKenna.
TACOMA: Ongoing, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tacoma Recycling Co., Inc., 2318 South Tacoma Way
Offers free document destruction for private individuals who bring in less than 10 pounds of material during regular business hours. Consumers may witness their papers being destroyed. Businesses will be charged for this service. Info: (253) 474-9559 | |
