Charter Schools Bill Set for Thursday Hearing - Tell Your Legislators to Pass the Bill!
The House Education Committee scheduled an 8:00 a.m. hearing on Charter Schools legislation. AWB’s Grant Nelson will testify at the hearing. Contact your legislators and tell them to support a meaningful Charter Schools bill this year. Check out AWB’s Washington Business Magazine for articles supporting and opposing Charter Schools. For more information, go to: www.WAcharterschools.org.

Class Action Lawsuit Reform Back for Senate Action - Contact Senators Murray and Cantwell!
Last October, federal class action lawsuit reform legislation failed when Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell joined fellow Democrats to oppose cloture (rule ending a filibuster). Since then, Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) reached a compromise on the legislation. That compromise is supported by employers. Please contact Murray at senator_murray@murray.senate.gov and Cantwell at maria_cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov today. Asked them to support the Dodd-Schumer-Landrieu compromise. Please copy AWB’s Don Brunell (DonB@awb.org) with your e-mails and the Senators’ responses.

Urge Your Legislator to Extend Research, Development Tax Incentives!
This week, the House Finance Committee, House Technology, Telecommunications and Energy Committee, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee will be hearing bills to extend the state’s current sales tax deferral and B&O tax credit for high-technology research and development firms. Without legislative action, these important economic development and job creation tools will expire on June 30, 2004. Go to www.awb.org to find your legislator and tell them extension of these incentives is vital to our state’s economic recovery! For more information, contact AWB’s Tom Dooley at (360) 943-1600 or TomD@awb.org.

AWB Pushes for Legislative Solution to Solve Stormwater Permitting Problems
AWB is seeking to clarify state statute and provide the Dept. of Ecology (DOE) specific direction on how stormwater permits are written. Currently, DOE’s general stormwater permit, which covers approximately 2,000 industrial, construction and municipal permittees, is the most stringent and costly permit in the nation. Nationally, most states use a relatively simple Best Management Practices approach in their stormwater permitting. However, DOE’s general permit has evolved into an individual permit in its complexity and cost. The legislation also addresses state statute which was cited by the Pollution Control Hearings Board in issuing its onerous decision against DOE's permit back in August of 2003. AWB and DOE have appealed that decision. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Liability Reform Coalition Drops Bill; Media Campaign Underway - Your Help is Needed!
This week, the Liability Reform Coalition (LRC), of which AWB is a major partner in statewide tort reform efforts, is introducing its 2004 omnibus reform bill, co-sponsored by Senators Dale Brandland (R-Bellingham) and Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch). Also underway this week is the LRC television campaign, featuring an ad showing the potential damage to our quality of life if meaningful reform is not passed. Your legislator needs to hear from you – do not let them come home without passing meaningful reform, including a limit on runaway jury awards. Go to www.awb.org to find and contact your legislator. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Legislative Interest in Renewable Energy is High - Show Your Support
Several competing proposals have been introduced in the legislature which attempt to drive more investment and purchase of renewable energy sources. Some proposals require utilities and some large industrial customers to purchase specific amounts of renewable energy and meet specific efficiency targets. AWB opposes all mandate based legislative proposals. The alternative is HB 2477 which offers incentives for renewable energy development and purchase. Contact your legislators and ask them to support HB 2477. For more information contact Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

Letter to Legislature, Governor Urges Focus on Ailing Economy - “We Need Your Help!”
Eleven signatures belonging to COWBO members and heads of various industry associations are attached to the bottom of a letter mailed to Gov. Gary Locke and all state legislators Jan. 14. The letter asks for the 2004 Legislature to continue working on Washington’s economic competitiveness by resolving major flaws in the industrial insurance and workers’ compensation programs. To find out more, contact AWB’s Gary Chandler at (360) 943-1600 or GaryC@awb.org.

Sponsors Still Needed for Legislative Reception - Sign Up Today!
AWB’s Legislative Reception is coming to Olympia’s Red Lion Hotel on February 10! Please pledge your support for this great event. To become a sponsor, see www.awb.org/calendar/legreception.htm. Contact Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

First Lobby Lunch is Thursday - Reserve Your Seat Today!
Don’t miss AWB’s Lobby Lunches every Thursday during the legislative session in the large conference room. Speakers at this week’s luncheon are Tom Fitzsimmons and Bill Alkire from the governor’s office and Marty Brown from the Office of Financial Management. To make Lobby Lunch reservations, contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Washington Employers Pay More Than Their Fair Share of Taxes - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.