Class Action Lawsuit Reform - Contact Senators Murray and Cantwell NOW! Tell Them to Vote for S. 274!
Please e-mail Senators Murray and Cantwell today to tell them to vote for S.274, the Class Action Fairness Bill currently sitting in the U.S. Senate. It is one of three major lawsuit reform bills currently stuck in the U.S. Senate. Murray and Cantwell are critical to breaking the logjam and passing this legislation. For information on the bill, go to www.nam.org/classaction. E-mail Murray at Senator_murray@murray.senate.gov and Cantwell at Senator_cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov.

 

November Vote on Ergo Initiative 841 Approaches - Your Support is Needed!
The campaign for Initiative 841, which would end Washington’s costly ergonomics rules, is gearing up for a tough electoral battle. Anti-employer forces are going to put everything they have into defeating I-841 this November at the polls. AWB has strongly endorsed I-841 and urges its members to get involved in the campaign to pass I-841. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

L&I Files Rule Proposal on Cholinesterase Monitoring - Attend a Hearing and Make Your Voice Heard!
Following a successful lawsuit by farm workers who were exposed to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides, the Dept. of Labor and Industries has proposed a new rule on chlorinesterase monitoring for agriculture employers and workers. Public hearings will be held throughout the state between August 26 and September 8 to receive comments about the newly proposed cholinesterase monitoring rule. The information packet on the rule is available at www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/Rules/whatsnew/ruleupdate.asp?RuleID=144.  Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

Gubernatorial Race Update – Herbold Won’t Run!
Former Microsoft executive Bob Herbold announced he will not seek the GOP nomination for governor in 2004. Republicans are still eyeing State Senator Dino Rossi (R-Sammamish) and King County Councilman Rob McKenna as possible gubernatorial candidates, but neither has committed to running. Meanwhile, declared Democrat candidates include Attorney General Christine Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and former State Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge.

 

Taxpayer Alert - Monthly Deadline Now 20th of Month!
Attention businesses! The deadline for filing monthly state tax returns with the Dept. of Revenue has changed to the 20th of each month. For more information, visit http://access.wa.gov/news/2003/Aug/n2003707_0906.aspx.

 

AWB Human Resources Policy Meeting – Don’t Miss Out on This Event!
Workers' compensation, health care, safety and much more will be discussed at AWB headquarters on August 28. Time blocks have been set aside for each of the AWB councils and committees in the human resource area to review their legislative objectives for 2004 and to receive regulatory and legal updates. You are invited to participate in the full day or just in the issues of your choice. There will be time to network with others in the human resource profession so bring your lunch. RSVP to AWB’s Shannon Garland at (800) 521-9325, ext. 1003 or ShannonG@awb.org.

 

Got a Small Business Item for SBA’s Leader? Contact Don Brunell Before Next Thursday and He’ll Pass on the Word!
Something about the federal government bothering you? Don Brunell is meeting with SBA’s Tom Sullivan next Thursday in Seattle. Sullivan is SBA’s chief advocate from Washington, DC. If you have an issue or problem you would like addressed, e-mail it to Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

 

Want to Know More About BPA and Your Electric Rates? Go to www.awb.org
Check out AWB’s website www.awb.org to see what the Bonneville Power Administration is up to.

 

Look for AWB’s Voting Record and Legislative Wrap-up
Look for the 2003 legislative voting record and session wrap-up. It will be published in Washington Business Magazine in September.

 

2003 Policy Summit Will be Something Special – Register Now!
Don’t miss AWB’s 2003 Policy Summit (Sept 24-26) at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo. Policy discussions, an appearance by Gov. Locke, an evening with the Mariners, a first rate golf course and great food make this year’s policy summit something special. Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org. Reserve rooms today by calling (800) 770-7992. Register online at www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2003policysummitorder.html.