It's Time For Tort Reform - Urge Murray And Cantwell To Support S. 274!
The Cass Action Reform Act of 2003 (S. 274) will be voted on by the full U.S. Senate next week. The legislation, has already been passed in the U.S. House of Representatives where it was supported by four members of Washington's congressional delegation - Democrat Rick Larsen and Republicans Jennifer Dunn, Doc Hastings and George Nethercutt. In the Senate, this legislation is under attack by trial lawyers and their allies. Urge Senators Murray and Cantwell to support S. 274 and oppose any attempts to block it through a filibuster. E-mail Murray at Senator_Murray@murray.senate.gov and Cantwell at Senator_Cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov. Contact AWB's Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

• For the Press Release click here 

Attention Electric Ratepayers! BPA Increase Still Planned for October!
BPA has announced it will increase rates by 2.2 percent on Oct. 1. This is better than BPA’s original proposed 15 percent hike, but a smaller increase will still harm industries that depend on low-cost electricity. AWB is asking the White House and Congress to intervene. Contact AWB's Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

 

Dam Removal Would Cost Ratepayers $300 Million a Year - Breaching Would Be a Job and Crop Killer!
The Washington Research Council has released a report on breaching the Snake River Dams. Dam removal would cause a $300 million annual increase in electricity bills, a $40 million annual increase in transportation costs and the loss of 37,000 acres of irrigated cropland. Over 100 years, costs would exceed benefits by about $300 million annually. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org. See www.researchcouncil.org/Reports/2003/snakeriver/snakeriver.htm.

 

Workers’ Comp Increase Coming in 2004 - Rates May Rise Nearly 20 Percent!
L&I has projected that workers’ comp rate increases will likely rise 19-20 percent on Jan. 1, 2004. Public hearings will be held statewide Oct. 27-Nov. 7. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

 

Stand with AWB and show your support for I-841. Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.
AWB’s Stormwater Ruling Appeal Gathers Steam - We Need Your Financial Support!
AWB members cannot live with the costly, unmanageable final ruling by the Pollution Control Hearings Board in the appeal of the Industrial Stormwater General Permit. The ruling directs DOE to rewrite permit conditions pertaining to mixing zones, compliance schedules and monitoring requirements. The ruling will potentially lead to unavoidable liability for permittees, significantly increase monitoring costs for businesses and negatively impact other individual and general National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permits. AWB is challenging the ruling with an appeal filed last week. Additional funds will be needed over the next several weeks for this complex case. All affected AWB members are requested to make a contribution. Contact AWB's Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Attention Agricultural Employers - Cholinesterase Monitoring Hearings Underway!
Hearings are being held statewide from today until Sept. 8 on L&I’s proposed new rule on chlorinesterase monitoring in agriculture. See www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/Rules/whatsnew/ruleupdate.asp?RuleID=144.  Contact Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

New Contracting Rules in the Works – Your Input is Needed!
General Administration is establishing procedures to allow government services to be contracted out to private firms. Stakeholder meetings are being held Sept. 3-4 (Spokane), Sept. 8-9 and 19 (Olympia) and Sept. 10-11 (Seattle). See www.ga.wa.gov/competitivecontracting/index.html. It is important for AWB members to attend these meetings and input their ideas. Send comments to Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

Employer Alert – Don’t Miss Unemployment Insurance Hearings!
A public hearing on revising UI rules will be held Thursday, Sept. 4, starting 9 a.m., at St. Martin’s College, in Lacey. All employers are urged to attend and bring their ideas to the table. Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

2003 Policy Summit - Register Now!
AWB’s 2003 Policy Summit (Sept. 24-26) at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo is less than a month away. 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.

 

Statewide Small Business Conference Coming Soon - Mark your Calendar!
Sponsored by Washington Policy Center and supported by AWB, the 2003 Statewide Small Business Conference (Oct. 3, SeaTac) will feature discussions on issues that affect small business. Register at www.smallbusinessconference.com.