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@retailassociation.org

Jim Szymanski

Objective eyes reject petition initiative

By Jan Teague, President/CEO

Our state's media, business community, think tanks - even sports teams - have been weighing in heavily in recent days against Tim Eyman's November Initiative 517.

Just yesterday, The Everett Herald made its distaste apparent in labeling the intiatitive "90 percent pig, 10 percent lipstick." A Spokane Spokesman Review columnist this week poked holes in Eyman's attempt to expand petition signature gathering at retail locations into a year round sport. The arguments for I-517 are flawed and have no merit, wrote columnist Jim Camden.

Days before Camden's piece appeared, the Vancouver Columbian urged a "no" vote on the initiative that would broaden petitioners' rights to the point where you could expect to find them as seat mates at Little League and Husky football games.

The chorus of criticism of I-517 is quickly threatening to become deafening. The Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune and Olympian alike all have found serious fault with I-517 and urged "no" votes.

"Initiative 517 is a solution in search of a problem," wrote The News Tribune. The Seattle Times writes that I-517 "presents serious challenges for any business anxious to ensure its customers aren't barraged when coming and going. There is good reason the No on 517 coalition ranges from Seattle Sounders FC (Seahawks, too) to home builders to the Washington Retail Association."

The Olympian warned of I-517's ballot title: "Protect the Initiative Act."

"The measure is misleadingly titled," The Olympian wrote. "The name implies there is some threat to our well-functioning initiative process. This is not the case."

Retailers respect the First Amendment's right to free speech and the right of petitioners to gather the support they need to place issues on the ballot. The truth is that popular initiatives already regularly make it to the ballot for public review without I-517. It would sacrifice retailers' rights and establish a buffer zone around signature gatherers that would make it a crime for property owners to interfere with overbearing petitioners, many of whom are paid by the signature and travel here from out of state to ply their trade. The measure also would remove the right of judges to throw out unconstitutional proposals, a facet that threatens municipalities with wasted costs of sending all initiatives to the ballot, whether or not they are constitutional.

As this campaign nears the home stretch, it remains necessary to continue financing it, even with small contributions. Please do so by visiting www.no517.org. There you'll find the option of printing posters to display in your stores urging the defeat of I-517, or to post on your websites. To watch my recent TVW appearance on behalf of defeating this proposal, please visit WRA's website, www.retailassociation.org, where you'll find a link to the tv show.

As retailers, we owe our customers a welcoming and comfortable shopping experience. Customers demand it, our livelihoods depend on it and retailers work hard to ensure it. Many shoppers bristle at being interrupted with politics before they can begin to shop and too often, petitioners have proven overzealous and in need of disciplining and policing.  To maintain order and preserve free trade, retailers must retain their rights as property owners to manage political activity if they choose to.

The current system works. The First Amendment lives, initiatives are making it to the ballot and retail trade continues without undue interruptions. Let's not force a flawed solution on retailers or their customers without any evidence of a problem.

Tacoma grocery owners explain why I-517 would be a bad idea

Mike Hargreaves and Greg Saar are two of the faces opposing Initiative-517.

These grocers understand how the proposal would lead to unintended consequences and shared their thoughts in a recent Tacoma News Tribune opinion piece.

Click here to read why these grocers are urging a "no" vote.

Ballots coming this week - be sure to vote

By Mark Johnson, VP Government Affairs

This week voters will begin receiving their ballots for the November 5 general election.  Washington State is an entirely vote-by-mail state.  If you don't receive your ballot soon, be sure to call your county auditor to request a replacement. 

It has to be postmarked no later than November 5 to be valid.  Take the time to educate yourself on the folks who are running for office and the issues that you will be deciding.  I know this is not a "big" election year with voters deciding on president, governor, U.S. senate/congress, etc. 

However, many of these local office holders, such as city council, school board, fire commission, etc. are very important to our everyday lives.  Often times these office seekers are our neighbors, co-workers and friends.  Get to know them and what they stand for.

Two statewide issues of note are Initiative 522, mandating labeling of products containing GMO and Initiative 517, giving initiative and petition signature gatherers free reign over private property rights.  Please visit the website linked above for more information about why the Washington Retail Association opposes both measures and encourages you to do the same.

WRA has also endorsed three candidates for State Senate;  in the 26^th District Jan Angel, in the 8^th District Sharon Brown, and the 7^th District John Smith.  Each of these candidates has proven to be supportive of retail and business issues.  If you live in one of their districts, I encourage you to vote for them and if inclined they could use your financial support, sign location, etc.

Voting in our country is not only a right, it is also a privilege and responsibility. Be sure to exercise your right and responsibility.

Newspapers urge defeat of GMO initiative

Major newspapers in Seattle, Tacoma and Portland have published editorials or columns urging defeat of Initiative 522, the November ballot item that would require special new labeling of genetically modified foods.

WRA opposes the measure because it would result in higher food prices and cause unwarranted and undue confusion for consumers.

The Seattle Times called the campaign "clumsy" and "emotion-based" in urging its defeat. The editorial can be reviewed by clicking here. 

An Oregonian columnist said I-522 would add unnecessary costs to farmers and consumers while providing them with incomplete information. Click here to read The Oregonian column. The Tacoma News Tribune refers to "multiple reasons" voters should reject the initiative. To read the editorial, click here (account required).

A Washington Research Council analysis has concluded that I-522 could add up to $520 a year in additional food costs for a family of four due to the costs of complying with its regulatory requirements. In addition, the Yakima Herald has warned of nuisance lawsuits and costly state government enforcement requirements that could result from the initiative.

Help elect Jan Angel to the state Senate

State Representative Jan Angel needs your help to get elected to the state Senate in the 26^th Legislative District that includes Port Orchard, Gig Harbor and parts of Bremerton. 

Jan is a strong supporter of retail issues.  She scored a perfect 100 percent for the 2013 WRA Voting Record. 

Jan Angel can't win this election alone.  She needs your help.  If you are able, please make a donation, offer to doorbell, put up a yard sign or sign in your business, make phone calls, host a reception, anything to help get her elected.  She will be an excellent addition to the state Senate.

WRA has already endorsed Jan Angel.  We encourage you to contact her and offer to help.  Thank you in advance.

Please call 360-204-0776 or visit www.janangel.com.

Retail tax payments increased last month

Taxes paid to the state by retailers increased 4.6 percent last month compared to the same period last year, a new state report shows.

The retail increases might have been higher except for a slowing in the pace of liquor sales, which switched from state control to private in the retail industry last summer. The report showed the pace of liquor sales increases to be tailing off last month to the point where taxes generated by food and beverage stores were down 4.9 percent compared to the same time last year, right after liquor was legal for sale in grocery stores.

Still, some retail segments showed healthy percentage gains in taxes paid including furniture and home furnishings (up 10.5 percent); sporting goods, toys, books and music (up 10.1 percent); and apparel and accessories, (up 9.4 percent) year to year.

Though total state revenues for the month ending Oct. 10 were up 2.9 percent above September's forecast, the Economic Revenue Forecast Council said the Oct. 1 federal government shutdown appeared to be affecting consumer confidence.

The council identified construction as the industry leading the state's modest economic recovery. Construciton has added 10,400 net new jobs the past three months compared to a year ago, the report said. Click here to review the entire report.

A Wenatchee warning about spiking the minimum wage

Much like proposals in SeaTac and Seattle to spike the minimum wage, an earlier pay increase hurt an entire industry in the rural environs of the state.

In a recent Wenatchee World piece, columnist Tracy Warner reported on how wage increases contributed to damaging the state's former canned asparagus industry.

WRA repeatedly has warned of the unintended consequences or raising minimum wages and the burden it places on employers to maintain payrolls and remain in business. Click here to read the essay.

L&I premiums due this month

WRA members who pay L&I workers' compensation insurance premiums are reminded that their payments are due by October 31.

Late payments can result in fines with interest, said Tammie Hetrick, WRA's VP of Retail Services.

The state recommends filing online. Using your computer, the state will calculate your rates, provide a printable confirmation page and allow payments by check or credit card.

Go to www.QuarterlyReports.Lni.wa.gov to file online.

L&I urges customers who file online to print a copy of their payment receipt in order to keep records up to date.

RASI website offers rate calculator for 2014 insurance rates

WRA invites companies to use a calculator on its website to figure out proposed workers' compensation insurance rates likely to go into effect in January.

To access the calculator, go to www.retailassociationservices.com (Retail Association Services, Inc.) and click inside the red box that comes up on the page. Once at the worksheet, simply type in the numeric code inside the "risk class" box for your type of business and the calculator will generate how much rates to employers and employees are proposed to increase or decrease next year.

L&I is conducting public hearings around the state this month to take input before making a final decision on next year's rates. Click here to learn about times and locations for L&I's public hearings and how to submit written comments.

Website visitors do not have to be WRA members to use the rate calculator.

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. 

Register for upcoming state policy summits

The Washington Policy Center will host two statewide policy summits on Nov. 12 and 13.

The events are scheduled to cover a range of subject matter from education to transportation, the environment, small business and government reform proposals.

The sessions are geared toward obtaining comments to influence Olympia policymakers, engaging the media in issues coverage and prompting civic action.

The Nov. 12 event will be at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel.  It moves to the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel on Nov. 13.

Register for the Tri-Cities event here.  Register for the Bellevue event here. Click here for information on speakers. 

Safety tip: (one in a series)

Is your phone iced up?

On the eve of tomorrow's national earthquake response drills, it's a good idea to equip your cell phone to function as an important recovery tool after the shaking stops.

Emergency personnel may need to know how to contact your nearest relatives if you're hurt or stranded after an earthquake. Bob Brotchie, a British paramedic, devised a phone programming idea that has come to be known as ICE (In Case of Emergency). To better prepare for the aftermath of a quake, open your cell phone address book, program in a dash followed by the initials ICE and the name and telephone number of a relative or close friend to inform them of your condition or situation following the quake.

The ICE technique also can be valuable in a business setting to contact key co-worker about whether work can resume or whether a recovery effort will have to come first.

Rick Means, WRA's Safety and Claims administrator, summarizes the elements of icing up your phone:

*Open the phone's address book.

*Add "in case of emergency" preceded by dash and following with the entry's phone number.

*Inform your family members and friends that they are listed as emergency contacts.

*Owners of iPhones can download the "iEmergency+" app from the Apple app store.

*For Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=seraphimserapis.ice

*For Windows http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/ice/e980869a-a4e5-43b0-ad65-ac67211e342f

In a related matter, a new book by a Seattle Times science writer reviews the threats an upcoming quake could pose in Seattle and the region.

Rick is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-200-6454, or rick.means@retailassociationservices.com.  

AWB names Johnson as new president

Kristopher Johnson, who joined the Association of Washington Business as vice president of operations three years ago, has been named its new president effective in January.

He will succeed Don Brunell, who is retiring from the association after 28 years as leader of the organization. Prior to joining AWB, Johnson served as president of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce in Minnesota. 

Prior to his Saint Paul appointment, Johnson led the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kennewick, where he served on AWB's Board of Directors.

Brunell said transportation improvements, energy, workforce and education and health care will continue to be AWB priorities. Visit AWB for more information.