AWB, Doctors Call on Locke to Pass Liability Insurance Reforms This Year!
At a press conference last Wednesday, AWB President Don Brunell called upon Governor Locke and House Democrats to pass comprehensive liability insurance reforms, which cleared the Washington State Senate earlier this session. Brunell and a group of physicians said the proposals by Locke and House Democrats are insufficient. “They are a start, but that is it,” Brunell said. “The governor says his proposals and those offered by House Democrats accomplish 90 percent of what is needed to make liability insurance more affordable for doctors and hospitals, we argue it is more like about 10 percent.”

HB 2460 Passes Senate Vote – Urge the House for Concurrence
ESHB 2460 recently passed the Senate by a vote of 32-16 and is now waiting for action in the House of Representatives. This bill would allow small employers an opportunity to provide affordable health care when currently they are not providing any coverage or are at risk of being priced out of the market. AWB urges a YES vote to concur on this very important bill. Please encourage Speaker Chopp to schedule ESHB 2460 for concurrence and vote “yes” to provide small employers a chance to get health care coverage. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

E-Waste Bill Makes Way Through Senate – Passage Marks Win for AWB Members!
HB 2488, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cooper (D-Edmonds), passed through the Senate last week. The measure addresses electronic waste. AWB worked closely with the bill’s sponsor to make sure it would be fair to business while protecting the environment. This legislation passed the Senate last week and now heads to the House. The House is expected to concur with the Senate amendment. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

ESHB 2779 Dies – AWB Will Try Again Next Session
Employer Reference Bill ESHB 2779 died after failing to make the cutoff Friday afternoon. The bill, which would have extended immunity from civil liability to employers who in good faith give honest job references, would have been good for employers and workers alike. This was a regrettable missed opportunity. AWB will look ahead to next session to put this important public policy in place. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Tort Reform Measure Back in House for Concurrence!
HB 2485 appears to be the only piece of tort reform that will get out of the Legislature this year as it heads back to the House for concurrence. What that bill does is make the interest rate that runs on tort judgments a fixed percentage above the most recent 26-week auction on Treasury Bills. Whereas the current interest rate on judgments is a sky-high 12 percent, put in place over 2 decades ago, the current proposal would significantly lower the rate. The Senate version is 2 percent over the T-bill; the House is 4 percent. For more information, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Wants Bush Administration to Find Ways to Lower Electric Rates
In a letter jointly signed by AWB President Don Brunell and Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities Executive Director Ken Canon, both organizations asked commerce, labor and treasury secretaries to help restore lower costs for electricity in the Northwest. Secretaries Don Evans, Elaine Chao and John Snow recently completed a trip to the Northwest looking at what the region needs to restore its competitiveness. Brunell and Canon said that a critical factor for industries such as aluminum, pulp and paper, and energy intensive industries is energy costs. They asked the secretaries to encourage the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to streamline its operations and cut costs. For a copy of the letter, contact AWB’s Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

Liability Reform Heating Up in Congress—Brunell to Meet with Sen. Murray’s Staff on Asbestos Fairness
With over 67 companies bankrupted by asbestos lawsuits and many innocent victims suffering from mesothelioma (a form of cancer from exposure to asbestos), AWB is coordinating an effort in Washington with former Gov. Booth Gardner to bring some fairness to asbestos lawsuits. “Basically, people suffering illness from asbestos products should be quickly and fairly compensated, but with nearly everyone being exposed to asbestos, exposure alone should not be the grounds for litigation,” Brunell said. For information about asbestos lawsuit reform, contact AWB’s Don Brunell at 360-943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

GP Completes $200 Million Investment in Oregon Mill Bordering Washington
Last Friday, Georgia-Pacific (GP) celebrated the completion of its $200 million paper machine and conversion plant at its Wauna pulp and paper operations across the river from Cathlamet. The Wauna facility will employ an additional 110 Washingtonians and Oregonians due to new jobs created by the investment. The new #6 paper machine produces paper towels used in our homes. It is an example of a new investment in manufacturing in our nation. That facility now produces all GP’s paper toweling consumed west of the Rockies. GP’s competitor, Kimberly-Clark, also completed a $55 million investment in a paper machine at its Everett operations in the last year. Key to keeping these facilities and future investments include a good workforce, competitive prices for natural gas and electricity, a friendly regulatory climate, and the state and community wanting those investments.

Quite a Job Safety Record—Employers Emphasize a Safe Workplace!
While celebrating the completion of its new paper machine at Wauna, GP also celebrated the safety record accomplished during construction. With 1,115,991 work hours on the project, the recordable incident rate (RIR) was 1.07 and the lost time (RIR) was 0—a safety record which is over six times better than the national average. Despite all the rhetoric by some union activists, GP’s record is similar to ones we hear continually from other employers. Employers do care about workers and want them safe.

Competitiveness Council Items Await Governor’s Signature
Gov. Gary Locke is expected to sign two regulatory reform bills originally written up and suggested by the Governor’s Competitiveness Council in 2002. AWB worked hard to get this legislation passed. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Mark Sidran Speaks to AWB Members on Attorney General Campaign – View His Speech Online!
Former Seattle Attorney and Washington State Attorney General hopeful Mark Sidran opened himself up for questions to AWB members Thursday morning at a candidate breakfast at AWB headquarters. To view his entire speech, go to www.awb.org. Don’t miss Mike Vaska during next week’s AWB Candidate Breakfast starting at 7 a.m. at AWB. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Speaker Chopp, Sen. Brown Address Lobby Lunchers Thursday
Speaker Frank Chopp and Sen. Lisa Brown (D-3) visited AWB last Thursday to speak to Lobby Lunch attendees. According to Brown, Senate Democrats have an excellent shot at taking the majority back come November. Chopp added that the business community should be paying close attention as the Legislature rolls into the electoral season. This week marked the last Lobby Lunch of the 2004 Legislative Session.

AWB HealthChoice - Big Company Benefits for Small Companies!
HealthChoice, brought to you by AWB and Premera Blue Cross, has five different plans open to businesses with two or more employees. For more information, visit www.awb.org/benefits/healthchoicefeatures.htm. Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

Overwhelmed by Shipping Costs? Start Saving Today!
AWB Freight Savings Program gives small and mid-sized companies the same opportunities to save money on shipping as larger companies. Participants receive a 62 percent discount on all less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments between 200 to 20,000 pounds in the U.S. and Canada. Members also receive the opportunity to attend free, educational freight seminars. Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

“Lights Out” Leaves Work Undone in the State Legislature - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.