Governor Calls Special Session – State Budget on Agenda!
With Washington’s budget still unresolved, Gov. Locke called for a special legislative session to begin May 12. Workers’ comp, water policy, video gaming, charter schools and unemployment insurance are also on the special session’s agenda. The Legislature’s regular session ended Sunday. Contact AWB’s Gary Chandler at (360) 943-1600 or GaryC@awb.org.

 

Keep the Pressure On! - Tell Reps to Follow Lead of Senate and Governor - Live Within Means!
Lawmakers are headed home. They will be barraged with phone calls, e-mails and letters telling them to raise taxes to balance the budget. You need to weigh in and tell them to hold the line. With the economy struggling, this is no time to raise taxes on business. Tell them to live within their means!

 

Sen. Jim West Faces Cancer Surgery – Send Him Your Get Well Wishes!
Senate Majority Leader Jim West (R-6) has been diagnosed with colon cancer. A good friend to AWB and a determined champion of the Senate’s no-new-tax budget, West faces surgery this week. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Send your wishes for speedy recovery to Sen. West at West_Ja@leg.wa.gov.

 

Video Gaming May Be the Revenue Source Lawmakers Need to Balance the Budget!
Allowing the private sector to put video gaming machines in their restaurants is still up in the air. AWB is not advocating gambling, but we do believe the playing field ought to be level and restaurants should be able to compete with tribal casinos. The legislation levies a 20 percent state tax on net receipts and tacks on another 5 percent for local governments. If approved, each year Washington would gain $200 million and local governments would receive $50 million. Contact AWB’s Tom Dooley at (360) 943-1600 or TomD@awb.org.

 

Transportation Improvement Package Passes – More Jobs, Better Roads!
The Legislature has passed a bipartisan plan to raise $4.2 billion in transportation funding. The package will create thousands of family-wage jobs in highway construction. Funded by a five-cent gas tax and a 0.3 percent sales tax surcharge on motor vehicles, the package focuses on road improvements. AWB has long urged lawmakers to improve our inadequate transportation system to boost our competitiveness. Tell legislators and the Governor thanks. Contact Tom Dooley at (360) 943-1600 or TomD@awb.org.

 

Water Policy Reform – Show Your Support!
Several important water policy reform bills have been stalled for most of the 2003 Legislative Session. There is now increasing activity and interest in water policy legislation, including SB 5028, HB 1317, HB 1336 and HB 1338. AWB staff is hopeful these bills will be passed during the special session and bring reforms. Urge your legislators to support these bills. Contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

 

Stormwater Impact Fee Relief – House Concurs on ESHB 2088!
The House has unanimously concurred with the Senate on ESHB 2088. This legislation will exempt forestland from stormwater impact fees and provide a minimum 10 percent reduction in stormwater impact fees for any new or remodeled commercial building that uses a permissive rainwater harvesting system. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Mercury Bill Passes Senate – Now on Gov. Locke’s Desk!
Having passed the Senate and House, the mercury reduction bill, ESHB 1002, now heads to Gov. Locke for his signature. If signed into law, the bill will ban certain mercury-added products and novelties and place requirements on mercury thermometers and lamps. To remedy our concerns, AWB helped draft a striking amendment to the bill, which passed 47-1. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Lead Paint Bill Approved by House, 98-0 – Urge the Governor to Sign!
ESSB 5586, a bill that allows Washington state to receive federal monies to run a lead-based paint activities accreditation, training, and certification program and receive HUD grants for lead paint abatement, now awaits Gov. Locke’s signature after unanimous passage by the House. AWB successfully fought to make this bill a win-win for business and the health of children who are exposed to lead-based paint. Urge Gov. Locke to sign this legislation. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Hutchinson, Chan to Speak at AWB Spring Meeting in Spokane—Plan to Attend!
Former Minnesota Finance Commissioner and developer of the Priorities of Government (P.O.G.) Peter Hutchinson is the keynote speaker at dinner on May 22. Hutchinson is the guru who helped Gov. Locke develop Washington’s P.O.G. which resulted in a budget that lives within existing state revenues. On the morning of May 23, Dr. Yvonne Chan of LA’s Vaughn School will address alternative education. Mark your calendars for May 22-23! Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.