Brad Smith Launches New Microsoft Public Involvement Initiative at Policy Summit
Just as former Boeing CEO Frank Shrontz launched that company’s initiatives to help make Washington more competitive, Microsoft’s Brad Smith, general counsel and corporate secretary, took the opportunity to introduce Microsoft’s new public involvement strategy to improve the state’s business climate. Smith, who is responsible for Microsoft’s legal, governmental affairs and community involvement program, outlined an aggressive strategy during his keynote presentation to the Policy Summit. Smith’s presentation can be seen on TVW. Go to www.tvw.org for the time.

 

WashACE Launches 2005 Competitiveness Campaign - “Catching the Tide”
During the Summit, AWB launched the 2005 Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE) competitiveness campaign. It is called “Catching the Tide” and Dick Davis’ presentation is posted on our Web site: www.awb.org. WashACE is a partnership between AWB, the Washington Research Council and the Washington Roundtable.

 

Lemly Report to Members Coming - Talks About Elections and Workers’ Comp
AWB’s new chair of the Board Tom Lemly, partner in Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle, will be sending you a report on the Board meeting last Friday. It was an excellent meeting with more than 80 Board members in attendance. They voted on a number of candidate and initiative endorsements. Tom talks about those endorsements and workers’ comp. His report will be posted on www.awb.org.

 

Endorsements Will Be Posted on www.awb.org– Please Support Those AWB Has Endorsed!
Policy Summit a Big Success – Kicks Off With Letter From President Bush!
AWB’s annual Policy Summit last week at the Semiahmoo Resort was a great success – candidates were interviewed, endorsements were made, the state’s first post-primary gubernatorial debate was held, awards were presented, and a new board of directors was installed. To top it all off, President Bush sent a letter congratulating us on our 100th anniversary.

 

AWB Endorses Rossi, Owen, McKenna, Reed, Sutherland, Kreidler and Bergeson
At last week’s Policy Summit, AWB’s Board of Directors voted to endorse the following candidates in statewide races: Dino Rossi (Governor), Brad Owen (Lieutenant Governor), Rob McKenna (Attorney General), Sam Reed (Secretary of State), Doug Sutherland (Commissioner of Public Lands), Mike Kreidler (Insurance Commissioner) and Terry Bergeson (Superintendent of Public Instruction).

 

AWB Supports I-872 and I-892, Opposes I-297 and Takes No Position on I-884!
Also at the Policy Summit, AWB’s Board of Directors voted to support Initiative 872, which would bring a “Top Two” primary to Washington state, and Initiative 892, which would lower property taxes through gambling revenues collected from non-tribal casinos. In addition, the Board decided to oppose Initiative 297 – the so-called “Hanford cleanup” measure – and to take no position on Initiative 884, which would increase the state sales tax to fund education.

 

New Board Installed – Bernard Turns Gavel Over to Lemly!
AWB’s new Board was installed Thursday at the Policy Summit. Past Chair Mike Bernard, Madison Cooke, turned the gavel over to Tom Lemly, of Davis Wright Tremaine. AWB’s new officers include Creigh H. Agnew, vice chair of Weyerhaeuser Company, and Kirk Nelson, secretary/treasurer, Qwest. Heidi Stanley, Sterling Savings, completed her term as an AWB officer. Congratulations and thanks.

 

AWB Hosts First Post-Primary Gubernatorial Debate Between Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire
For the fourth consecutive time, AWB hosted the first post-primary gubernatorial debate between the finalists for governor. It started in 1992 when Mike Lowry squared off against Ken Eikenberry and then in 1996 when Gary Locke faced Ellen Craswell, and in 2000 when Locke met KVI radio talk show host John Carlson. This go around, it was Dino Rossi vs. Christine Gregoire, and the debate is being aired on TVW. Go to www.tvw.org for the times of the replay of the debate.

 

Rossi and Gregoire Square Off Before Statewide TV Audience
The candidates engaged in a spirited and often aggressive debate, which revealed substantial differences between the candidates and their approaches toward government and business. Rossi – a small business entrepreneur before he became a state senator – emphasized the need to revive Washington’s economy through decreasing regulation, embracing tort reform and bringing back insurance companies to the state. Gregoire, Washington’s current attorney general, stressed her commitment to bringing diverse groups and interests together to solve problems. To see a video of the full debate, again visit www.tvw.org.

 

McDonald Wins Matson Award – Honor Given to Outstanding Legislator!
At the Policy Summit, AWB was proud to present its Jim Matson Award to a truly outstanding legislator – former state Senator Dan McDonald. McDonald, of Yarrow Point, ably represented his district for many years and was a great friend of employers during his long legislative tenure.

 

Jean Leonard Wins Ron Gjerde Award - Outstanding Business Lobbyist!
AWB’s Ron Gjerde Award, which honors outstanding business lobbyists, was awarded to Jean Leonard. Jean has served as AWB’s council chair of Legal Affairs since 2002, and advocated for employers before the Legislature and state agencies, primarily in human resources, labor relations, and liability reform. She has a number of clients including Washington’s wine industry.

 

Last-Ever Super Heavy Lifter Award Presented – Bergeson Honored for Education Reform Efforts!
Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson was presented the last-ever Super Heavy Lifter Award at the Policy Summit. Bergeson was honored for her support of educational reforms including charter schools, No Child Left Behind and the WASL.

 

Gordon Award Replaces Super Heavy Lifter Award – Gordon and Coulter Receive First Awards!
The C. David Gordon Award was inaugurated as the replacement for the Super Heavy Lifter Award. The new award was named in honor of the father of AWB as we presently know it – C. David Gordon. Gordon served as AWB president from 1955 to 1979. He and his wife, Betty, attended the Summit and his four sons and granddaughter helped present the award. The first recipients of this new award were Gordon himself and C. Lee Coulter. Coulter was unable to attend the Summit, and we will present his award at a later AWB meeting.

 

Heavy Lifters Honored – AWB Congratulates Award Recipients!
AWB presented Heavy Lifter Awards to several members who went beyond the call of duty to help our Association. The recipients are Brad Carlson, Dave Quiring, Bill Meacham, Brad Marten, Bob Ulin, Jeff Gingold, Bruce Beckett, Ken Johnson, Collins Sprague, Mel Oleson, Sarah Mack, Tim Boyd and Gus Kiss. Thanks to all the Heavy Lifters for their great assistance!

 

New Report on Health Care – Recommendations on Bringing Down Costs!
The Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy - a partnership of the Washington Research Council (WRC), AWB and the Washington Roundtable - has just published a special report on health care and costs in Washington state. Among the report’s recommendations: adopt caps on non-economic damages; eliminate or restrict joint and several liability; establish a fair statute of limitations on liability; and eliminate state mandates requiring insurers to cover various health providers, services and patient populations. The report can be found on the WRC home page: www.researchcouncil.org. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

 

Help Make the November Vote a Victory for Business – Educate Your Employees on the Issues!
Voters will soon go to the polls and elect people who will pass or fail some of AWB's top priorities. Just a two percent increase in pro-business voters can make the difference between winning and losing on many of those issues. Make a difference by letting your employees know how the candidates and issues impact your company. The Washington Prosperity Project has tools that will turn your Web site into a voter information resource today. Prosperity Project information is non-partisan, 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. They'll be talking with their employees about the election's impact on jobs and industry. For more information, contact Prosperity Project State Director Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

AWB 100 Year Anniversary Video – Now Available on DVD!
One of many memorable moments at last week’s Policy Summit was the premiere of “100 Years of AWB,” a video that traces AWB’s fascinating history from its 1904 inception to today. The video is now available on DVD. For more information, see www.awb.org.

 

 The election issue of Washington Business Magazine is in the mail. E-mail Bonnie Millikan, BonnieM@awb.org, the name of the author of “Campaign Finance Rules: How Much Can a Business Contribute”, and we will send you an AWB pen.

 

2004 Environmental Conference of Washington – Register Now!
AWB and the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) is proud to present Washington’s most comprehensive environmental conference to be held October 19-20 at Seattle’s Washington State Trade & Convention Center. Don’t miss this great event for anything. Register online at www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2004ecwashingtonorder.html. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.