Washington Business Magazine in the Mail - It is the Elections Issue
The elections issue of Washington Business Magazine is in the mail. One of the features in this issue deals with campaign finance rules. AWB’s general counsel outlines what a business can contribute. If you have not received your new issue, contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

AWB Endorsements Posted on www.awb.org. Read Before You Vote!
Last week, AWB announced its complete list of endorsements for the November 2 elections. Go to www.awb.org for a complete list of statewide candidates, initiatives to the people and legislative endorsements.

Still Not Registered? In Person Voter Registrations Open at County Auditors’ Offices Til Oct. 18!
Although the deadline for registering for the November general election by mail has passed, you may still register to vote in time for the general election if you register in person at your county auditor’s office before Oct. 18. It’s your right to vote. Use it!

State Minimum Wage Increase Announced – Wage to Jump to $7.35 an Hour on January 1!
At $7.16, Washington's minimum wage rate is already the highest in the nation. Starting January 1 the rate will increase another 19 cents to $7.35 an hour! The state's minimum wage is recalculated each year as required by Initiative 688, which was approved by Washington state voters in 1998. What started out as a good idea is now out of control. AWB has been fighting for reform of our state’s high minimum wage rate, which has led to a rise in unemployment and hurts Washington’s competitive position with other states. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

L&I Announces Workers’ Comp Rate Hearings – AWB Will Argue for Reform Not Rate Increases!
Seven workers’ comp rate increase hearings have been announced for next month. AWB will be there to urge L&I to reform its workers’ comp system instead of raising rates. The schedule is: Nov. 3 (Spokane), Nov. 4 (Yakima), Nov. 5 (Mount Vernon), Nov. 8 (Tumwater), Nov. 10 (Tacoma) and Nov. 12 (Vancouver). Written comments on the proposed rate increase must be received by L&I by noon on Nov. 15. Send comments to Kathy Kimbel, Employer Services program manager, PO Box 44140, Tumwater, WA 98504-4140 or via e-mail to lanz235@lni.wa.gov. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Dept. of Revenue Hearings Announced – Focus on Excise Tax Rule Making!
The Dept. of Revenue is holding public hearings and a public meeting on rule making proposals related to excise taxes at the Capitol Plaza Building in Olympia. The schedule is: Hearing on Rule 458-20-255 (Carbonated beverage & syrup tax) Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2004, 9:30 a.m.; Hearing on Rule 458-20-263 (Electric generating facilities) Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m.; Public Meeting on Rule 458-20-243 (Litter tax) Thursday, Oct. 7, 9:30 a.m.; Hearing on Rule 458-40-660 (Timber excise tax - Stumpage value tables) Tuesday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. For more details on the rule making, see http://dor.wa.gov/content/laws/RuleMaking/default.aspx. Contact AWB’s Cody Benson or CodyB@awb.org, or contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Environmental Affairs Council Meeting – Department of Ecology Budget to be Discussed!
The next Environmental Affairs Council meeting will be held Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-12 noon at AWB. The Dept. of Ecology’s Linda Hoffman, Nancy Stevenson, Greg Sorlie and Ted Sturdevant will discuss and answer questions pertaining to the department’s budget for the next biennium and legislation for the 2005 session. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Keep an Eye on California – Play or Pay Health Care Proposition is on the Ballot!
California has a way of setting trends in other states. This year Proposition 72, an initiative that would mandate play or pay health care, will be considered by Golden State voters. The outcome of this election will determine the aggressiveness of Washington’s labor unions and single payer advocates in bringing a similar initiative to Washington state. For more information on the health care issue, go to www.awb.org/healthcare/index.asp.

Help Make the November Vote a Victory for Business – Educate Your Employees on the Issues!
The November election is just around the corner. For AWB's top priorities to be realized, candidates who share our goals must be elected. Just a two percent increase in pro-business voters can make the difference between winning and losing on many of those issues. Want to make a difference? Let your employees know how the candidates and issues impact your company. The Washington Prosperity Project has tools to turn your Web site into a voter information resource. Prosperity Project information is nonpartisan, and no one will ever tell your employees how to vote. Best of all it's FREE. Many companies have already joined the Prosperity Team and are talking with their employees about the election's impact on jobs and industry. Also, we have free payroll stuffers and thousands of early voter registration forms, free upon request. Just let us know how many you want. Contact Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

Environmental Conference – Registration Still Open!
AWB and the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) are sponsoring the most comprehensive environmental conference in Washington. This great event will be held October 19-20 at Seattle’s Washington State Trade & Convention Center. Among the highlights will be a luncheon speech from Governor Locke on October 20. Register online at www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2004ecwashingtonorder.html. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Don C. Brunell Scholarship Awarded to First Recipient – Congratulations Ann Kelly!
Ann Kelly, a senior at Richland High School, is the 2004 recipient of the Don C. Brunell Scholarship for Future Leaders, which is awarded by AWB to one student who attends the summer session of Washington Business Week. The $1,500 scholarship is nonrestricted and may be used at any public or private college. Ann is considering attending Brandeis University or the University of Massachusetts and majoring in business. Nine semi-finalists wrote a 500 word essay on “How Do Leaders Differ from Managers?”