WashACE Blog takes a look at "Employers and the Economy" and more calls for a special legislative session to fix the state's budget.

Check out The Live Wire for the latest "Shoreline Update Update."

Washington is among the leading states in attracting Recovery Act funds, with awards supporting projects in energy, facilities, water and infrastructure.

Data released today by Onvia, which provides gBusiness solutions and is the creator of Recovery.org, Washington has created 17,530 private sector jobs and that number is expected to grow by 56.7 percent by the end of the year.

Several residential loan officers have joined HomeStreet Bank and are located in the South Sound region. They include: Dan Hartung, Tacoma; Christopher "Chad" Duke, Federal Way; Tamra Marlowe, Olympia; John Smith, Olympia; and Jennifer "Jen" Condon, Olympia.

John A. Clees has joined Worth Law Group. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and the University of Washington Law School.  John's practice focuses on tax and estate planning for high-net worth individuals and their businesses.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna has filed a lawsuit accusing the makers of Samsung, Toshiba, Sharp and five other brands of liquid crystal display screens of fixing prices.

"LCD panels can comprise up to 80 percent of a product's retail cost," McKenna said. "Our investigation shows manufacturers illegally fixed prices and through this conspiracy, fleeced Washington consumers who paid too much for TV(s), laptops and monitors. When cartels form and disregard rules governing fair competition, there will be repercussions."

A state government report indicates a vibrant competitive market for workers' compensation insurance would be created if voters approve Initiative 1082.

The Office of Financial Management released its Fiscal Impact Statement yesterday analyzing Initiative 1082 as part of the state Voters' Guide process.

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Director Judy Schurke announced new programs this afternoon focused on combating workers' compensation fraud and helping businesses pay overdue premiums during the recession.

Gregoire highlighted L&I's latest fraud prevention initiatives, including a new audit system and team of investigators sweeping construction jobs during nights and weekends. She also noted the agency's partnership with the Attorney General's Office to police employers that don't pay their premiums, medical providers that overbill and injured workers that file fraudulent claims.

Intelius has agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle deceptive marketing tactics allegations brought by the Washington Attorney General's Office.

Hundreds of thousands of consumers may have unknowingly enrolled in membership programs while using websites owned by the Bellevue-based company, according to the AG's Office.

On the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, most Americans with disabilities are still struggling with many of the same lifestyle and economic issues they confronted in 1990 when the ADA became federal law.

The 2010 Kessler/National Organization on Disability Survey of Americans with Disabilities, conducted by Harris Interactive, reveals little or no substantial gains in 10 key indicators ranging from employment and income to social engagement and life satisfaction.

Attorneys general in 34 states, including Washington, have reached an agreement with Internet message board host Topix.com to improve consumer protections and eliminate the $19.99 fee to expedite review of abusive or inappropriate posts.

"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but cyberbullying hurts, too," said Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "That's why we've reached an agreement with Topix to help protect kids from harassing and abusive posts."

Elected officials from 20 states, including Washington, challenging portions of the federal health care bill today filed a response to the Department of Justice's motion to dismiss their lawsuit, on the heels of a decision earlier this week by a Virginia judge to reject the federal government's motion to dismiss that state's health care lawsuit.

Andrew Dick has joined Windermere Professional Partners as a sales associate. He previously worked as a litigation paralegal and also has extensive experience in home improvement projects. Dick is a graduate of the University of Alabama.

Brian La Freniere has joined Windermere Professional Partners as a sales associate. He has eight years of experience as a residential real estate appraiser.

Check out WashAce Blog for "More Evidence that Taxes Matter."

The Live Wire is the place to find Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's recommendations on ballot issues.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act significantly modifies the roles and responsibilities of companies, boards of directors, and shareholders, and requires companies to re-examine and refine their corporate governance practices, The Conference Board Governance Center said today.

The Washington State Supreme Court today upheld the state Department of Revenue's interpretation that local brokered natural gas use tax is imposed where the gas is burned regardless of where it is first received by the taxpayer.

The decision, authored by Justice Debra Stephens, allows the department to deny refund claims against local jurisdictions that levy these taxes and collect unreported taxes, totaling $25 million.

Check out WashACE Blog to learn why "Transparency Can't Be Taken for Granted."

Just in time for the primary election, The Live Wire has a voter guide that includes candidate information, responses to candidate questionnaires, incumbent voting records and information on voting in Washington.

Random checks of 40 stores in Thurston County during June showed 98 percent did not sell tobacco to minors, up from 81 percent earlier this year, according to TOGETHER!

TOGETHER! contracts with the Department of Health's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and operates in partnership with Thurston County Public Health and Social Services to assess youth access to tobacco.

The Department of Licensing will reimburse local governments for refunds made to drivers who paid fines for cell phone and texting violations and some other traffic offenses.

On June 30, DOL discovered that municipal court judges in several jurisdictions were dismissing cell phone and texting tickets because the Model Traffic Ordinance had not been updated to reflect these violations.

WashACE Blog looks at "Getting Serious About Resetting Government."

The Live Wire issues a call to action about business incentives that will expire if lawmakers fail to renew some tax cuts and credits.

Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Seattle District SBA are hosting a seminar about how to get a loan to start, expand or buy a small business from 1 to 2 p.m. July 20 at 809 Legion Way SE, Olympia. Call (360) 357-3362  to register.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a military affairs meeting at 8 a.m. July 20 at Burs Restaurant. Call (253) 582-9400 for more information.

The City of Tacoma has entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice regarding improper release of refrigerant into the air at the city's Household Hazardous Waste facility.

As a result of the consent decree and environmental projects specified in the decree, the city's environment will be safer and cleaner and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced.