BPA Rate Increase – Contact Gov. Locke, Senators Murray and Cantwell and Your Congressman - Tell BPA to Back Off!
BPA’s planned October rate increase has dealt yet another setback to Northwest economic recovery. The coming electrical rate hike will hit consumers with an aggregate 15 percent increase. Northwest employers and working families will pay for BPA’s refusal to live within its means. Go to www.awb.org and link to Gov. Locke and Washington’s Congressional delegation. Tell them to “Back off BPA before it kills Washington’s economy.” Contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

 

I-841 Provides Employers and Workers Opportunities to Work Together on Ergonomics - Support It!
Now that I-841, the initiative repealing Washington’s ergonomics rules, appears to have qualified, employers and workers need to make sure voters approve it in November. It is a better approach than L&I’s blanket rules. Send AWB examples of ways you are solving ergonomic problems. We are collecting stories of employers’ best efforts to show voters that voluntary compliance works. Anecdotes can range from the simple to the dramatic. Send your ergonomics story to AWB’s Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

 

Medical Liability Reform - Senate Filibuster Kills Patients First Act!
Opponents of medical malpractice reform won a victory by preventing the U.S. Senate from voting on S. 11, the Patients First Act. The bill has now been withdrawn. Trial lawyers and their allies did not want the Patients First Act to become law since it would have set reasonable limits on medical liability lawsuits. Senators Murray and Cantwell both supported the filibuster. AWB will continue fighting for medical liability reform. Stay tuned for future medical malpractice reform efforts. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

Chief of Staff Fred Kiga to Leave Governor’s Office - He Will be Hard to Replace!
In August, Gov. Locke’s Chief of Staff Fred Kiga will begin working for Frank Russell Company, a Tacoma-based investment management firm and long-time AWB member. Kiga helped bring together the work groups that developed the Priorities of Government approach to budgeting, the no-new-taxes budget, and the effort to bring the 7E7. He has helped make Washington a more competitive place to do business. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

7E7, Hydrogen Power, Biodiesel Fuel & More - In Washington Business Magazine’s July Issue
This month you will receive the latest issue of Washington Business Magazine. Get the inside scoop on efforts to bring the 7E7 to Washington, hydrogen power, biodiesel fuel and much, much more, all in Washington Business Magazine. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

2003 Policy Summit to Feature Gov. Locke – Register Now!
Mark your calendars now for the 2003 Policy Summit (Sept 24-26) at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo. Among this year’s highlights will be a conversation with Governor Locke, moderated by outgoing TVW President Denny Heck. Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org. Get your room reservations today by calling (800) 770-7992. Go to www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2003policysummitorder.html for online registration.