Recent reports about dismal K-12 test scores should raise alarm in our business community.Nationwide, elementary school math and reading scores fell to levels unseen in 32 years, according to the recently released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test, known as the “nation’s report card.”Average scores for 9-year-old students in...
Is the U.S. economy headed into a recession? Has inflation peaked? When will the labor market ease?While economists debate questions like these, it’s helpful to hear from employers on the ground, the men and women who own and operate businesses throughout Washington state. That’s why AWB staff spent the summer...
If you want a glimpse of parched river bottoms behind “would be breached” lower Snake River dams, look at recent photos of European rivers and lakes.Along parts of the picturesque Rhine River, there is often more dry land than flowing water.Europe is in the clutches of another drought, its second...
Some readers have heard of personal asset protection strategies like trusts or limited liability companies.
The draw to products like these is the supposed promise that your personal assets can be protected. Not only is the issue of asset protection much more nuanced than establishing either of those options, but there are also a host of asset protection strategies that should be employed (or at least considered) as part of a holistic approach to asset protection well before the consideration of complex trusts and LLCs.
Business leader, as you head into the fourth quarter of 2022, you have a lot on your plate. Finishing the year strong is probably one of your overall desires.As you revise your own personal leadership growth plan for the end of the year, consider prioritizing these five leadership skills to...
High schoolers with an after-school job will be able to receive credits for their work starting next fall.We agree. They should get credit for their work experience along with their paycheck. Any student who can successfully manage their school coursework and a part-time job is learning valuable life skills – ones...
Surprisingly, recent U.S. presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors.Semiconductor computer chips are the brains of modern electronics that operate our laptop computers, vehicles and smartphones. They permeate every sector of our lives, from farming and manufacturing to health...
Summertime during an election year is a busy time, and not just for the candidates who are ringing doorbells, walking in parades and working the phones to rally support.It’s also a busy time for the Association of Washington Business. For the last two months, our Government Affairs team has coordinated...
Though most Americans have at least a passing understanding of the ability to use the equity in a house to obtain a low-interest loan though a home equity line of credit (HELOC), there is a lesser-known option for obtaining quick line of credit financing that might offer more compelling benefits...
It has been a tough year for the market, battling the headwinds of record inflation, rising interest rates and Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, some portfolios may be more battered and bruised than others, depending on their investment selection. In times like these it pays to revisit the fundamentals and...
