Today is Last Day to Register to Vote in November 2 Election - Please Register!
Voter registration ends today at 5 p.m. If you have not registered, you need to go to your county courthouse and register.
Otherwise, you cannot vote on November 2. After you have registered, put November 2 on your calendar and set aside a time to go to your polling place and vote.

Before Voting, Visit AWB’S Web site - Check Our Endorsements!
Check AWB’s Web site www.awb.org before voting. There is a good deal of information about the candidates and the ballot issues. Also, take a look at our endorsements.

Voting Has Started - Mail-In Ballot Being Distributed - Be Sure to Vote!
Check you mailbox. If you vote by mail, your ballots will be arriving - if they have not already. Remember, carefully read the instructions and mark the appropriate boxes. When completed, please be sure to sign and date your return envelopes. Make sure to put a stamp on your return envelope! Unstamped envelopes will not be delivered.

Nethercutt, Hastings & Dunn Receive NAM Awards for Their Voting Records
Congressman George Nethercutt was the only Washington member to be included in the National Association of Manufacturer’s “100 Percent Club” for his perfect voting record in the recently concluded 108th Congress. He, Congressman Doc Hastings and Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn will receive the NAM’s Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence. Hastings voted with NAM 95 percent while Dunn’s record was 91 percent. The lowest voting percentage in the Washington delegation went to Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott with 10 percent. Other records included Jay Inslee (23 percent), Rick Larsen (32 percent), Brian Baird (18 percent), Norm Dicks (23 percent), Adam Smith (30 percent), Patty Murray (26 percent) and Maria Cantwell (30 percent). See www.nam.org.

Help Fix Washington’s Public Schools - Approve R-55 on November 2!
Washington public schools are not working for all children – too many are falling through the cracks. Thirty percent of Washington students drop out of high school and more than fifty percent of all African-American, Latino and Native-American children drop out. We can and must do better! As Election Day approaches, we urge you to go into your communities and show your support for R-55 by displaying campaign materials in your home and office: Yard signs, windows signs and flyers are all available. Tell your friends, families and neighbors to Approve R-55 on November 2 to improve our public schools. To request campaign materials for your community, please contact Ryan Kuresman at (206) 652-5596 or info@approver55.org.

Make Business Victorious in November Election – Reach Out to Your Employees!
The November election is almost here. If AWB’s goals are to be realized, we need to elect pro-business candidates. Even a two percent increase in business-friendly votes could make the difference. The Washington Prosperity Project can help you reach out to your employees and let them know how candidates and issues impact your company. The Project will turn your Web site into a voter information resource. Prosperity Project information is nonpartisan - no one will ever tell your employees how to vote - and it's FREE. Also, we have payroll stuffers and voter registration forms. Just let us know how many you want. Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

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

Attention AWB Small Business Members – Give Your Opinions on State Regulations!
The Washington State Labor Council has released a press release that claims Washington is the fourth most business-friendly state in the U.S. (Read the release at www.wslc.org/reports/latest.htm#Tuesday.) We’re sure a few of you have some opinions on how “friendly” Washington is to small business. If you have examples of regulatory abuse, regulations that need to be reviewed or examples of current situation facing small businesses, please forward them to Amber Carter at AWB. Another option is to provide a letter to the editor with your example. If you would like help with this option, please let us know. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

L&I Rate Hearings Scheduled – Your Chance to Speak Up for Reform Not Rate Hikes!
Workers’ comp rate hearings are scheduled 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 Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

New Air Quality Regulations to Take Effect – Find Out More at Air Quality Committee Meeting!
AWB’s Air Quality Committee will meet November 1 to discuss new air quality regulations that are about to take effect. The committee will also discuss air operating permit fees and a proposed rule regarding CO2 mitigation. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Nationwide Flu Vaccine Shortage – Businesses Can Help!
The nationwide flu vaccine shortage has severely affected the amount of vaccine available in our state. To help manage this situation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new recommendations for prioritizing the use of flu vaccine for those at high risk for complications from the flu. These guidelines are available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5339a6.htm. The state Department of Health is asking all Washington businesses to help reduce the impact of the shortage by following the new recommendations and giving available flu vaccine only to high risk people. Washington businesses can also help by getting the word out that there are other ways to prevent spreading the flu besides vaccination, such as washing your hands often and covering your mouth when you cough. Education materials are available at www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/flu_updates.htm.

Policy Summit Video – Now Available on Web!
At AWB’s 2004 Policy Summit, TVW was there to tape key events and presentations. Now these videos, including the Rossi-Gregoire debate, the opening address from Microsoft’s Brad Smith, and the attorney general candidate interviews, are accessible at www.awb.org/events/policysummit/index.asp.

Washington Business Magazine Needs Your Input – Send Us Your Letters to the Editor!
Want to see your opinions in Washington Business Magazine? It’s easy! Just send your letters to the editor to AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

Small Business Issues Forums – Coming to a City Near You!
Two Small Business Issues Forums will be held in October (Wednesday, October 20, Spokane; and Friday, October 29, Tacoma). Co-sponsored by AWB, forum topics include workers’ comp, health care and tort reform. Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or Amber@awb.org.

Great News From HealthChoice – Lower Rates, More Benefits!
We have great news on rates! Now is the time to get quotes for HealthChoice. Effective November 1, we were able to lower our rates for small groups and add two new benefits which include six office visits and dedicated dollars for x-ray and lab without the need to meet a deductible. These plans are designed to help you reduce your health insurance costs without compromising the quality of benefits. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Governor Locke to Speak at Environmental Conference – Last Chance to Register!
Governor Locke will be appearing at the Northwest Environmental Conference for a luncheon speech on October 20. This will almost certainly be his last speech as governor at an AWB sponsored event. The conference is the most comprehensive environmental conference in Washington. It is sponsored by AWB and the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) and will be held Tuesday-Wednesday, October 19-20 at Seattle’s Washington State Trade & Convention Center. 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!
Learn how to build a worksite wellness program and how policy and environmental changes can impact your employees' health and productivity. The annual Healthy Worksite Summit (Thursday, November 4, SeaTac Hilton) is sponsored by AWB and Evergreen Everwell. To register online, go to www.awcnet.org/wellness.

Better Workplace Awards – Send in Your Nominations!
This is the sixth year AWB’s Better Workplace Awards will honor members who are taking a leading role in creating workplaces that are family-friendly, promote safety, and enable employees to be at their best. You may nominate your business or organization or another AWB member who has provided a better workplace. See www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. Contact Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.