Court Funding Task Force Meets – New Tax Proposals at Issue!
This morning, AWB took part in the final meeting of the Court Funding Task Force, a legislative task force convened to study ways to increase state funding of trial courts and indigent defense throughout the state. The Task Force is considering recommending a far-ranging set of potential revenue sources to the 2005 Legislature, and AWB is closely monitoring and commenting on the proposals. Examples of proposed tax increases include a statewide B&O tax surcharge, an increase in B&O taxes for lawyers, and an increase in B&O taxes for businesses not currently subject to the retail sales tax. For more information on the work of the Task Force, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Flame Retardant Chemical Action Plan – Draft to Be Released This Week!
The Department of Ecology will release a draft PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) chemical action plan (CAP) this week. The CAP will most likely recommend a ban on certain products containing these types of flame retardants. AWB will distribute the draft CAP to members for their review and comments. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

URGENT! In Person Voter Registration Open Until October 18!
The mail registration deadline for the November general election has passed, but you still have one week to register to vote for the general election if you register in person at your county auditor’s office. Last day to register is Monday, October 18. Please register now. If you don’t vote in the election, you have no right to complain about the results!

AWB Employment Law Committee - Meeting This Wednesday!
This Wednesday, October 13, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the law offices of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Seattle, the AWB Employment Law Committee is holding its fall meeting. Included in the agenda are a legislative update/forecast for 2005, study and comment on L&I’s new rule making on payroll deductions, a look at L&I’s draft administrative policies up for comment, and a discussion of L&I’s proposed request legislation dealing with penalties for wage and hour violations. Interested members are encouraged to attend. For more information or a draft agenda, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Absentee Voters Will Receive Ballots Soon – Support Judicial Candidates Endorsed by AWB!
If you’re an absentee voter, you will soon receive your mail-in ballot for the November election. When you fill out your ballot, don’t forget to support the three excellent, business-friendly candidates AWB endorsed for the Washington State Supreme Court – Jim Johnson, Barbara Madsen and Richard Sanders. For more information, see www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=697&z=2.

2005 Competitiveness Redbook Available – Order Now!
The 2005 Competitiveness Redbook, published by the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE), of which AWB is a partner, is now available. The Redbook reports data gathered on factors that contribute to economic growth, employment and quality of life in Washington. Copies are $7 a piece. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Bollig at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieB@awb.org.

Absentee Voters – Check AWB Endorsements in Statewide and Legislative Races Before You Fill Out Ballot!
When absentee voters receive their mail-in ballots, they should check AWB’s endorsements for statewide and legislative races. There are some important issues and candidates that need your support. Among those AWB is supporting: Dino Rossi for Governor, Rob McKenna for Attorney General, Doug Sutherland for Commissioner of Public Lands, Sam Reed for Attorney General and Terry Bergeson for Superintendent of Public Instruction. For more details, see www.awb.org.

National Association of Manufacturers Release Congressional Ratings – McDermott, Kerry, Edwards Score Low!
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has released its ratings based on the voting records of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Based on their votes, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle), with a 10 percent rating; Sen. John Kerry (D-Massachusetts), with a zero percent rating; and Sen. John Edwards (D-North Carolina), with an eight percent rating, are all members of what NAM calls the “Anti-Manufacturing Caucus.” Among the votes scored were those on class action and Medicare reforms, association health plans, permanent repeal of the Death Tax, and overtime regulations.

Excise Tax Rule making – Hearings Have Been Scheduled!
Public hearings on rule making proposals related to excise taxes will be held by the Department of Revenue at the Capitol Plaza Building in Olympia. The schedule is: Rule 458-40-660 (Timber excise tax - Stumpage value tables) Tuesday, October 12, 10 a.m.; Rule 458-20-190 (Sales to and by the United States - Doing business on federal reservations - Sales to foreign governments) Thursday, October 28, 9:30 a.m.; Rule 458-20-110 (Delivery charges) Thursday, October 28, 1:30 p.m.; Rule 458-20-141 (Duplicating activities and mailing bureaus), Rule 458-20-144 (Printing industry) and Rule 458-20-17803 (Use tax on promotional materials) Friday, October 29, 10:00 a.m.; and Rule 458-20-240 (Manufacturer's new employee tax credits), Rule 458-18-220 (Refunds - Rate of Interest); and Rule 458-30-262 (Agricultural land valuation - Interest rate - Property tax component), Monday, November 22. For more details on the rule making, see http://dor.wa.gov/content/laws/Rulemaking/default.aspx.  Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org, or contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

AWB Counsel Tefft to Appear in Liability Reform Forum!
On Friday, October 15, AWB general counsel and governmental affairs director for liability reform Kris Tefft will be joining the Washington State Insurance Commissioner, the head of the Washington State Medical Association, and the Public Policy director of the Washington State Trial Lawyers in a forum on lawsuit abuse and liability reform in SeaTac. The forum, moderated by former TVW president Denny Heck, is sponsored by the Washington Senior Citizens’ Lobby and is looking at “Critical Issues for an Aging Society.” Tefft will share the business community’s perspective on fixing a civil justice system that is expensive, inefficient, unpredictable and unfair. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Trial Lawyers Pouring Cash Into Washington’s Elections – Track Their Dollars With LRC!
The Liability Reform Coalition (LRC), AWB's partner in lawsuit abuse reform, has recently published a study showing how much money has been raised and spent by the ten different political action committees serving the interests of personal injury attorneys in Washington state. See which legislative and statewide candidates are the biggest recipients of trial lawyer money at www.walrc.org/pdf/october2004TrackingTheTrial.pdf.  Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Workers’ Comp Rate Hearings – AWB’s Stance: Reform Not Rate Increases!
L&I has scheduled workers’ comp rate hearings for Wednesday, November 3 (Western Ridpath Hotel, Spokane); Thursday, November 4 (Red Lion Hotel, Yakima); Friday, November 5 (Best Western Cottontree Inn, Mount Vernon); Monday, November 8 (L&I Auditorium, Tumwater); Tuesday, November 10 (King Oscar Convention Center, Tacoma); and Wednesday, November 12 (Red Lion at the Quay, Vancouver). Written comments on the proposed rate increase must be received by L&I by noon on Monday, November 15. All hearings will start at 3 p.m. AWB will be there to strongly advocate for workers’ comp reform not rate increases. 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.

Environmental Affairs Council – Department of Ecology Budget Discussion
The Environmental Affairs Council will meet Tuesday, October 26, 10 a.m.-12 noon at AWB. The Department of Ecology’s Linda Hoffman, Nancy Stevenson, Greg Sorlie and Ted Sturdevant discuss and answer questions about 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.

Get Informed! AWB Will Provide Workers’ Comp Presentations for Your Chamber or Business!
Knowledge is power. Learn the facts on workers’ comp and why it is such an important issue to Washington’s business community. AWB’s Amber Carter is available to provide informative worker’s comp presentations to your chamber, your club or membership organization, or to your business. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Small Business Issues Forums – Coming to a City Near You!
AWB is co-sponsoring a series of Small Business Issues Forums throughout the state (Wednesday, October 13, Kennewick; Wednesday, October 20, Spokane; and Friday, October 29, Tacoma). Forum topics include workers’ comp, health care and tort reform. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or Amber@awb.org.

Governor Locke to Speak at Environmental Conference – Register Now!
The most comprehensive environmental conference in Washington will be sponsored by AWB and the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC), and held Tuesday-Wednesday, October 19-20 at Seattle’s Washington State Trade & Convention Center. Among the highlights will be a luncheon speech from Governor Locke on Wednesday. Register online at www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2004ecwashingtonorder.html. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Healthy Worksite Summit – Register Early!
The annual Healthy Worksite Summit (Thursday, November 4, SeaTac Hilton), sponsored by AWB and Evergreen Everwell is an event where you can learn how to build a worksite wellness program and get the scoop on how policy and environmental changes can impact your employees' health and productivity. To register online, go to www.awcnet.org/wellness.