Gregoire, Sims Toss Hats in Ring for Governor - No Republican Announcement Yet
With Gov. Locke not running for a third term, Attorney General Christine Gregoire and King County Executive Ron Sims will join former state Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge in the Democrat primary. 1st District Congressman Jay Inslee may run, too. No Republicans have announced, but Senate Ways and Means Chairman Dino Rossi (R-Issaquah) and former Microsoft executive Bob Herbold have been mentioned as possible GOP candidates. Stay tuned!

 

Nethercutt Running for U.S. Senate - Challenges Patty Murray
Fifth District Congressman George Nethercutt (R-Spokane) announced he will take on incumbent Patty Murray, a Democrat seeking her third term. Nethercutt, viewed as a giant slayer, defeated House Speaker Tom Foley in 1994.

 

Lots of Political Jockeying in the Next Few Months - Get to Know the Candidates at www.awb.org!
With many open political races, AWB will keep track of candidates’ stands on business issues. Check the last two issues of Washington Business Magazine to learn Christine Gregoire’s views on litigation. In the September issue, check out our voting record and legislative review. In the November issue, we’ll reveal how Senators Murray and Cantwell and Washington’s other members of Congress voted on key issues.

 

Final Ruling on Stormwater Will Be Bad for Business – AWB May Appeal!
The Pollution Control Hearings Board is expected to issue a final ruling in the Industrial Stormwater General Permit appeal in the next several days. Earlier this year, the Board sided with environmental appellants on issues pertaining to mixing zones and compliance schedules. The final ruling may also impose additional monitoring requirements for permittees. If left unchallenged, these rulings will significantly increase costs for businesses and negatively impact other individual and general National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits. AWB and other parties will have 30 days from the date of the final order to appeal the ruling. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org for more information and to pledge financial support of the appeal.

 

Energy Bill Opens Door to Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline - Tell Senators to Unlock ANWR, Too!
S. 14, the Energy Bill, has passed the U.S. Senate with incentives to build an Alaska natural gas pipeline, but no provisions to open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to energy exploration. Tell Senators Murray and Cantwell we need ANWR’s energy potential. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

Congressional Delegation in Washington State for Summer Recess – Tell Them to Support Lawsuit Reform!
Senators Murray and Cantwell and Washington’s members of the U.S. House of Representatives will be home, conducting town meetings and forums. Tell them to reform medical malpractice, class action lawsuit and asbestos litigation. Ask your doctor what out-of-control medical malpractice litigation is doing to you. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

General Administration Rules on Contracting - Your Input is Needed!
The Department of General Administration will soon be making rules on contracting out for services. The public is invited to comment in Olympia, August 11, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

Workforce Training Survey - Please Respond Quickly!
Selected employers will receive surveys to evaluate the state’s major workforce training programs. Please respond promptly. Contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 or MikeH@awb.org.

 

2003 Policy Summit - Register Now!
Don’t even think of missing AWB’s 2003 Policy Summit (Sept 24-26) at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo. This year’s Summit has fascinating discussions, an appearance by Gov. Gary Locke and a Seattle Mariners evening. 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.

 

Want Two Views of Our Education System? Read the July-August Issue of Washington Business Magazine!
The latest issue of Washington Business Magazine should be in your mailbox. It contains articles on Schweitzer Engineering Labs and Boeing’s 7E7. Also check out two points of view of our education system. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.