I-841 Filed – Ergonomics Appeal Will Likely be on November Ballot!
260,000 signatures were delivered to Secretary of State Sam Reed in support of Initiative-841. I-841, which will likely be on November’s ballot, will repeal Washington’s ergonomics rules. AWB strongly supports this effort to remove a costly and needless burden from Washington’s employers. We urge our members to campaign hard to pass I-841. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

Vancouver, BC, Wins 2010 Winter Olympics – Great News for Northwest Economy!
AWB congratulates Vancouver for being chosen to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. With Vancouver only 25 miles north of the U.S.-Canada border, economic benefits will inevitably spread to Washington. For more information, visit www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/2010Secretariat/news_links.htm.

 

Medical Liability – Tell Senators to Contain Costs!
The U.S. Senate will consider S. 11, the Patients First Act of 2003, this week. S. 11 sets reasonable limits on medical liability lawsuits, including medical malpractice actions and health care lawsuits against employers, medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The Patients First Act will help improve access to health care providers and reduce the downstream flow of medical liability costs to health care consumers. Call Senators Murray and Cantwell at (202) 224-3121. Urge them to support this important legislation. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

UI & Workers’ Comp Rates Rising – Urge Legislators to Freeze Cost-of-Living Increases!
Workers’ comp and unemployment insurance rates rose on July 1 due to cost-of-living increases. Workers’ comp time-loss benefits or pensions received a 1.9% cost-of-living increase. In addition, the maximum monthly benefit increased by the same percentage to $3,794. Meanwhile, the same “cost-of-living” formula has increased maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefits to $510 until January 2004 when it will be frozen at $496. Tell your legislators that workers’ comp cost-of-living adjustments need to be frozen. Contact AWB’s Clif Finch at (360) 943-1600 or ClifF@awb.org.

 

Time to Kill the Death Tax – Urge Senators Murray and Cantwell to Support S.13!
Now that the U.S. House of Representatives voted to permanently end the death tax, the U.S. Senate must follow suit. Tell Senators Murray and Cantwell to vote for S.13, which will finally abolish the federal estate tax once and for all. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

AWB Environmental Affairs Council Coming Soon - Help Set AWB’s Environmental Agenda!
The AWB Environmental Affairs Council will meet July 10 from 9:00 AM to noon, at Weyerhaeuser in Federal Way, to develop the 2004 legislative agenda. The meeting is open to all AWB members. Please RSVP to AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (800)521-9325 or KristenS@awb.org. 

Everything You Want to Know About Energy – Check Out the July Issue of Washington Business Magazine
This month you will receive the latest issue of Washington Business Magazine, featuring everything you want to know about energy and other timely topics. For example, if you want to know why Alaska’s North Slope may be poised to become a major supplier of natural gas, read about it in Washington Business Magazine. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

Policy Summit - Look for Early Bird Registration Materials and Sponsorship Forms
Check your e-mail and post office box! The Policy Summit Early Bird Registration materials are coming soon. Also, if you would like to sponsor this year’s Summit (Sept 24-26) at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo, contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org. Get your room reservations today by calling (360) 224-5100 or (800) 770-7992