Senate Approves Municipal Tax Fairness – AWB Wins Six Year Battle!
After six years of AWB lobbying for municipal tax fairness, HB 2030 passed the Senate late last week 32-17. It passed the House 72-19 on March 19. Now it’s on Gov. Locke’s desk and he is expected to sign it. Its approval is a real victory for Washington business. For details about HB 2030 and a list of legislators voting for the bill, go to www.awb.org. Send them a thank you note or e-mail. Special kudos go to Mike Bernard, Ron Bueing, Paul Shinoda, Wes Uhlman, and Mike Roben for speaking in favor of HB 2030 before the Legislature. Contact AWB’s Tom Dooley at (360) 943-1600 or TomD@awb.org.  This is certainly a “JobMaker!”

 

AWB Ads Supporting No-New Tax Budget “Are on the Air!” You Can Be a Sponsor!
A coalition of Washington business organizations, including AWB, launched a grassroots campaign to urge legislators to pass a budget within existing revenues. Listen to our great new radio advertisements on the front page of www.awb.org. You can sponsor these ads on your local radio stations. We are approaching the final days of the legislative session, and we need your help to make sure we don’t get hit with a large tax bill like we did in 1993. Contact Don Brunell or Gary Chandler at (360) 943-1600 or by e-mail at DonB@awb.org or GaryC@awb.org.

 

Check the Newspaper. You Can Sponsor AWB Ads in Your Local Paper Too!
We’re also in the newspapers with the coalition of Washington business organizations ad campaign. AWB’s goal is to pass a budget within existing revenues. See the newspaper ads at www.awb.org. You can sponsor these ads in your local newspaper too. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell or Gary Chandler at (360) 943-1600 or by e-mail at DonB@awb.org or GaryC@awb.org.

 

Shoreline Management Compromise Sails Through Senate – Washington’s Economy Wins!
Passed by the Senate 45-0, HB 1933 allows more certain development of shoreline facilities. HB 1933 corrects a flawed interpretation of the Growth Management Act. It promotes a sensible balance between environmental protection and shoreline activity. Contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

 

SB 5161 “High-Centered in the House” – Ergonomics Goes to Court in May
Although SB 5161, which repeals L&I’s ergonomics rules, passed the Senate, it is stalled in the House. Adding to the problem, Gov. Locke threatens to veto SB 5161 if it does pass. Lacking an alternative to litigation, WE CARE, a group of state and local business organizations, including AWB, filed an appeal to the ergonomics rules with Washington’s Supreme Court. Oral arguments on the appeal will be May 22. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

Congressmen Larsen and Smith Join Federal Asbestos Reform Effort - Thank Them!
Washington Congressmen Rick Larsen (Everett) and Adam Smith (Federal Way) joined Rep. Cal Dooley (D-Calif.), to introduce a bill that would establish minimum medical standards for asbestos lawsuits. It's designed to ensure people sickened by the insulation material can pursue their claims and be paid quickly. The bill would let others exposed to asbestos but not yet sickened to bring their claims if and when they become ill. Dooley’s efforts are a companion to Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R-Utah) work in the Senate. AWB is coordinating the effort on federal asbestos, class action and medical malpractice reform for Washington state. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

Senate Passes HB 1550 – Basic Fairness to Business Upheld!
Doing business in Washington will be easier when HB 1550 is signed into law. Approved by the Senate last week, HB 1550 gives us access to appropriate information regarding state regulations, permit requirements, and agency rule-making processes. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

Stormwater Impact Fee Relief – ESHB 2088 Passes!
ESHB 2088 just passed the Senate and is headed toward concurrence with a nearly identical House bill. ESHB 2088 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. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Governor Gains Rulemaking Authority – Senate Passes HB 1531!
Legislation to require the governor's signature before adopting any significant legislative rules has passed the Senate. Recommended by the Governor's Competitiveness Council, HB 1531 will allow the Governor to be fully aware and responsible for the actions of agencies under his control. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or amberc@awb.org.

 

People on the Move – Send Us Your News!
AWB is currently accepting submissions of personnel moves and recognitions for Washington Business magazine’s “On the Move” section. Members are also encouraged to send Letters to the Editor to share real-world business perspectives. For more information or to submit content, contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

 

AWB’s Communications Manager Scott Carlson has been called by the U.S. Armed Forces for service in the Middle East. We wish Scott a safe tour of duty and look forward to his return. Replacing Scott as Communications Manager is Paul Schlienz. Paul has worked in radio, developed websites, and written for print media. We know Paul will do a great job keeping our members and the media informed on all the latest AWB news. Contact Paul at PaulS@awb.org.

 

Check out Our JobMakers and JobKillers Website – How Do Your Legislators Rate?
New at JobMakers.com: All Senators and Representatives are now numerically ranked for their support for job making legislation. Visit http://www.jobmakers.com for legislator rankings. Be sure to check out information on 26 new JobMaker bills and 11 new JobKiller bills.

 

Education Task Force to Meet---You are Welcome to Attend!
AWB’s Education Task Force will meet on April 30 in Bellevue from 9:30-11:30 a.m. You are welcome to attend. AWB Vice Chair Mike Bernard is leading the effort. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

Policy Summit Committee Cranks Up---Meeting on April 22 in Seattle
AWB’s Policy Summit Committee will meet from 11:30-1:30 p.m. on April 22 in Seattle. Qwest Washington President Kirk Nelson is chairing the Summit. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

 

Environmental Conference – A Must Attend Event!
Get the tools you need to implement an effective environmental management program by attending the 2003 Environmental Conference of Washington. Sponsored by AWB and the Northwest Environmental Business Council, this seminar will be held June 11 and 12 at the Washington Convention & Trade Center. Visit www.ecwashington.org to register online.