Jan Teague

President/CEO

360.943.9198, ext. 19

jteague@retailassociation.org

Mark Johnson

Vice President of Government Affairs

360.943.9198, ext. 15

mark.johnson@retailassociation.org

Tammie Hetrick

Vice President of Retail Services (RASI)

360.943.9198, ext. 13

tammie@retailassociationservices.com  

Jim Szymanski

House Speaker Frank Chopp implies pork spending is not unusual

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

The Seattle Times reported this week that House Speaker Frank Chopp made sure that money was in the final state budget for relocating community college health programs in the PacMed Center, a historical 1932 building in need of repair and a new tenant.

Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom is quoted as saying Chopp "single-handedly got $20 million included in the state capital budget for the plan."  The money would be used to renovate the building with an additional $4.8 million included from the state operating budget to cover lease payments and operating costs for the first two years.

Speaker Chopp is quoted as saying there is nothing unusual here. 

It's not unusual for elected officials to "bring home the bacon."  It clearly points out how state government politics work.  And legislators had two special sessions trying to negotiate what programs would be cut and taxes added in order to have a balanced budget.   I am told that both sides felt relatively satisfied with the outcome of those negotiations.  This PacMed Center example shows us that pork will always be a part of the outcome, especially when the House Speaker is quoted as saying it's not unusual. 

Let's hope that next session doesn't get loaded down with pork projects since it will be a major election year.  Every time a legislator runs for office, voters want to know what is in it for them. It's not unusual for an elected official to have to answer the age-old question, what have you done to help the people in your district? 

It's not unusual for the answer to be a street improvement, a highway improvement or a renovated building. 

Thanks to all who vote and run for office

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

Yesterday most Washington state voters had the chance to participate in our primary.  Unfortunately voter turnout was very low. Many counties have very little on the ballot.  For instance, in Thurston County, my ballot only had our county auditor race on it. 

Having the privilege, right and responsibility to vote is something that makes our country great.  Hopefully many of you had the chance to cast your ballot.

In other areas some very important races will be shaping up.  In particular, the City of Seattle had a nine-way race for mayor in which incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn and Sen. Ed Murray emerged to battle each other on the campaign to the November 6 election.

I commend all of the folks who are willing to run for office.  Putting your name on the ballot and running a campaign is hard work and stressful on your family, friends and career.  Having the ability to select our leaders is another reason we live in a great country.  Do yourself a favor.  After the primary dust settles, take the time to get informed and meet the candidates for office in your area so you can cast your vote with confidence in the General Election November 6.

WRA joins coalition opposing Prop 1 in SeaTac

WRA has joined a business coalition opposed to Proposition 1 on the November city ballot that would spike minimum wages more than 60 percent in the City of SeaTac for airport and hotel workers.

Common Sense Sea Tac, the group WRA has joined, has launched a website outlining how the proposition would hurt members and the SeaTac economy.

Tammie Hetrick, WRA's VP of Retail Services, said creating the nation's highest minimum wage of $15 in SeaTac would force layoffs and business failures and cause economic ripples and raise prices at other businesses in the city. The proposal also includes an onerous sick and safe leave benefit of 50 hours per year for a full time employee and requires employers to pay for any leave not taken. These financial obligations also would discourage new companies from locating in SeaTac, WRA believes.

As the economy recovers from recession, these are expenses many businesses could not handle and would slow the recovery by causing layoffs and business failures.

WRA urges members to direct others to the Common Sense website for more information and to contact Hetrick about the campaign strategy to defeat the union-backed proposition. Contact Hetrick at 360-943-9198, Ext. 13 or Tammie@retailassociation.org.

In a related development this week, the Wenatchee World predicts economic trouble for SeaTac if voters approve the proposition.

New COHE centers to open

The state has announced plans to expand its network of Centers of Occupational Health and Education (COHEs), where people injured on the job can get care.

Labor & Industries has renewed contracts with clinics in Renton, Seattle, Everett and Spokane. It also has completed agreements with Group Health Cooperative and Franciscan Health System to open additional locations this year.

The COHE's are instrumental in the workers' compensation reform effort to reduce costs for employers and to get employers back on the job as soon as they are able.

"This announcement is definitely good news," said Tammie Hetrick, WRA's VP of Retail Services. "The COHE's set a higher standard of performance."

Hetrick said COHE's have speeded the reporting of claims to Labor & Industries, a critical step in reducing employer costs and getting workers back on the job as soon as possible.

L&I Director Joel Sacks also supports the COHE's.

"They have proven their ability to prevent disability for workers," he said. "By improving occupational health care, they keep valuable workers on the job and reduce costs for employers."

Click here to learn more about COHE's.

Source: L&I

Websites explain opposition to initiatives

WRA opposes two initiatives to be decided in the November elections this year.

I-517 would violate property rights by greatly expanding the areas where petition signature gatherers can work. I-522 would require labeling of genetically modified foods.

Neither of these initiatives is in the best interest of retailers, WRA believes. Two websites do a good job of summarizing the opposition of WRA and the business community.

The No on I-517 site explains the weaknesses of the proposal. Former Attorney General Rob McKenna and former state Auditor Brian Sonntag have doubts the proposal would be legal due to the limitations it would place on merchants. Many merchants and consumers have been complaining about abusive paid signature gatherers interfering with their freedom to shop and in some cases, committing assaults. The proposal would allow them unprecedented access including inside professional, college and amateur sporting events.

The site also explains that public funds would be wasted because the proposal allows for illegal initiatives to be placed on the ballot.

A website opposed to Initiative 522, requiring labeling of genetically modified foods, and GMOanswers.com also have launched. WRA believes the requirements would unnecessarily confuse and alarm consumers and result in higher food prices.

The No on 522 website allows you to read the entire proposal and review news coverage and editorials. GMOanswers uses a Q & A format for consumers to obtain answers to GMO questions.

WRA urges all members to visit these sites to begin learning about its reasons for opposing these proposals.

Rep. Alexander to leave Legislature at year's end

Rep. Gary Alexander (R-Olympia), first elected to the Legislature in 1996, announced this week that he will step down from his House seat at the end of the year.

He also was appointed Thurston County Auditor in January to replace Kim Wyman, who was elected Secretary of State.

Alexander, who is running for election as auditor this year, said he would relinquish his Legislature job regardless of whether he wins election as County Auditor. That means he would complete the calendar years but not his full two-year Legislature term.

Alexander earned a 100 percent score this past session in voting to support all of the positions the Washington Retail Association took on bills.

"Over the years, Gary Alexander has demonstrated that he understands the needs of business and has been a strong supporter of retailers," said Jan Teague, President/CEO of the Washington Retail Association. "While we will be sorry to see him go, we wish him well in his race this year for county auditor."

WRA endorses state Senate candidates

Three candidates for state Senate have won the endorsement of the Washington Retail Association.

WRA endorsed Rep. Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard) in the pivotal District 26 race. WRA also endorsed primary winners, Sen. Sharon Brown (R-Kennewick) and Sen. John Smith (R-Colville) in the District 8 and 7 races, respectively.

Each of the endorsed candidates notched voting records in this year's legislative session that were 100 percent in agreement with WRA's priorities for members.

State approves four health care providers

Insurance officials have approved four companies to begin selling health insurance through the state's new health exchange beginning in October.

The state Health Benefit Exchange board must review and approve the recommendation at its Aug 21 meeting.

Insurers including Group Health, Premera Blue Cross, Lifewise and Bridgespan have won the approval of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler to offer a total of 31 coverage plans through the exchange, Kreidler has announced.

Click here to read Kreidler's full announcement and here to search the plans. The state's Healthplanfinder will begin enrolling patients in October for coverage beginning in January. Click Healthplanfinder to learn how it is supposed to work.

Some proposed rates show increases over what people currently pay for coverage, but others would acquire coverage for prescription drugs and maternity care and have limits placed on out-of-pocket spending. Rates would vary by age and income and some patients would be eligible for income-based federal subsidies to lower their cost for premiums.

A Seattle Times story offered examples of premiums for the various plans.

New coverage plans are coming onto the market due to the Affordable Care Act, under which national health care reform is scheduled to take effect in January. At the same time, there are efforts in Congress and Washington, D.C. to repeal or de-fund the act and devise a more affordable plan for employers and employees.

Kreidler also is reviewing applications from six additional insurers to sell outside the exchange. He has until the end of September to approve plans and rates from those companies including Asuris, Regence Blueshield, Regence Blueshielf of Oregon, Group Health Options, Time and Moda.

Most patients who elect not to buy health insurance next year will face fines. Former state Attorney General Rob McKenna joined a national lawsuit to throw out the fines, but the U.S. Supreme Court declared the penalties as constitutional.

Sources: Insurance commissioner, Associated Press

Tacoma chamber needs feedback on business threat

A grassroots organizing effort has been identified that is trying to pass a Tacoma law to require businesses to offer paid sick and safe leave time to employees.

A similar law in Seattle, the only one of its kind in the state, has proven to be an expensive record keeping nightmare.

WRA is cooperating with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce to inform businesses about this proposal and solicit comments regarding the burdensome financial impacts it would bring if passed into law. Contact Mark Johnson, VP of Government Affairs, for more information at 360-943-9198, Ext. 15 or mark.johnson@retailassociation.org.

WRA members may contact Tom Pierson, President & CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce for more information, at 253-627-2175. Also, visit the chamber's website established to solicit testimony opposing the idea.

Tacoma city council members have received many calls of concern from the Tacoma business community and have publicly expressed concern about the idea.

WRA opposed the Seattle law on several fronts. It is expensive to administer and leaves room for abuse that can be damaging to businesses that need to remain adequately staffed to serve customers.

Look for updates on this issue in future WRA newsletters.

Watch video overview of WRA's discount shipping partner

WRA's third-party shipping provider, PartnerShip, has released a short video overview of the discount services it offers customers.

As a WRA member, you could begin saving up to 27 percent on select FedEx shipping services by joining PartnerShip free of charge.

Four other possible advantages of joining PartnerShip include:

*Routing management. Based on an analysis of shipments, PartnerShip will recommend the best shippers for particular routes. The recommendation is based on a carrier's cost effectiveness and customer service.

*Bill auditing. Vendors such as PartnerShip say they often find invoices with rate errors of up to 10 percent in favor of the freight carrier. Corrections are made before the third-party vendor sends the bill to the customer.

*Improved inbound shipping. By relying on vendors to control your inbound shipping, it can be difficult to learn how and when your orders will be shipped and delivered. You can gain that knowledge by arranging shipping through a third party partner such as PartnerShip.

*Consolidated invoices. For frequent shippers, this can mean paying only one bill weekly or monthly as opposed to paying for each shipment.

Click here to watch the video overview of the company and obtain contact information. Also, visit PartnerShip's website and its improved, separate shipping website. 

WRA members offered discount to Sept. 19 employment seminar

The law firm Lane Powell will conduct its annual seminar on employment law and human resources issues on Sept. 19 at the Four Seasons Seattle hotel.

The firm is allowing WRA members a discount on the registration fee.  The day-long event is co-sponsored by the Lake Washington Human Resources Association.

Attendees will receive an employment law update; learn of impacts from the National Labor Relations Board, impacts from disability and wellness laws and ways to protect sensitive company information and data.

Click here to learn more and register. 

Free disaster preparedness webinar on Aug. 13

A free one-hour webinar to help companies get started on a disaster preparedness plan will be conducted beginning at 11 p.m. (West Coast time) on Aug. 13.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with Agility Recovery to conduct the webinar. Space will be limited: click here to register.

The partnership also maintains the "PrepareMyBusiness" website where additional preparedness tips and archives of related webinars are available. Click here or visit www.preparemybusiness.org.

WRA urges all businesses to adopt and practice a disaster preparedness plan. It could be instrumental in guaranteeing that after a flood, windstorm or earthquake you will quickly be able to resume business operations. Without such plans, many companies go out of business.

WRA co-sponsors Seattle chamber networking event

The 9^th All Chamber Business After Hours networking event will help from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at The Foundry by Herban Feast in Seattle.

WRA is co-sponsoring the event that allows attendees to network with multiple business organizations and chambers of commerce throughout the region. The event drew 430 participants last year.

Click here to register and obtain directions. 

Summit scheduled to combat human trafficking

An organization dedicated to wiping out human trafficking in the state has scheduled a summit meeting in Seattle in October to begin building a network of business support.

The Engage for Impact summit will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. on October 5 at Seattle Pacific University's Queen Anne Upper Room Gwinn Commons.

Click here to register. Go to Washington Engage to learn more. 

No newsletter next week

As summer gradually fades to fall, WRA will take next week off and refrain from sending out the Washington Information Network newsletter.

We didn't want to watch the rest of Washington packing up campers and baiting hooks without taking a breather ourselves.

Look for the WIN to return with more news on July 24.

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Are you ready for the ShakeOut?

October 17 of this year is a national earthquake preparedness day, one in a series of similar days in recent years.

The Great Washington ShakeOut is a statewide opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes: "Drop, Cover and Hold On." The event also has been organized to encourage companies to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies and to secure property to reduce damage and injuries.

Natural disasters vary by region, but most of Washington State is prone to earthquakes. Similar hazards such as winter storms and even aging infrastructure can affect communities and impact the economy. Actions taken now will determine the quality of life for many after Washington State's next big earthquake.

The main focus is about personal safety during one of these events. But it also focuses attention on how quickly businesses might recover from a natural disaster. For guidelines on speeding a disaster recovery, click here.

How were you affected on 05/18/1980? How about 02/28/2001 or 12/14/2006? This is all about doing what you can to recover as soon as possible.  Time spent preparing now very well will pay off later.

WRA employs Rick Means  as a Safety Advisor available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meeting. Contact Rick at 360-943-9198, Ext. 18 or rick.means@retailassociationservices.com.