Top Two Primary Passes – Gambling/Property Tax Initiative and Charter Schools Bite the Dust!
Washington overwhelmingly approved the AWB-endorsed Initiative 872, which will bring a top two primary system to Washington state. Unfortunately, voters approved the so-called Hanford cleanup Initiative 297, which AWB opposed. Sadly, voters rejected Initiative 892, which would have lowered property taxes and brought fairness to Washington’s gaming industry, and also voted down Referendum 55, which would have finally allowed charter schools in Washington state.

McKenna Elected AG – AWB Endorsed Statewide & Judicial Candidates Also Win!
Rob McKenna, supported by AWB, will become Washington’s attorney general. Other AWB-endorsed statewide officials who were re-elected include Sam Reed (Secretary of State), Mike Kreidler (Insurance Commissioner), Doug Sutherland (Commissioner of Public Lands), Brad Owen (Lieutenant Governor) and Terry Bergeson (Superintendent of Public Instruction). In addition, all three AWB-endorsed Washington State Supreme Court candidates were elected – Jim Johnson, Barbara Madsen and Richard Sanders.

Democrats Hold State House of Representatives – Republicans Lose Senate!
It appears Democrats have increased their margin in the Washington House of Representatives and have taken control of the Senate. Democrats could have 26 or 27 members of the Senate, while Republicans would have 23 or 22. Previously, the GOP controlled the Senate 25-24. In the House, Democrats could have as many as 56 members to the Republicans’ 43 depending upon the outcome of absentee ballot counting.

GOP Wins Washington’s Two Open Congressional Seats – McMorris and Reichert Elected!
Washington’s two open congressional seats were taken by Republican candidates – Cathy McMorris (R-Colville), in the 5th Congressional District, and Dave Reichert (R-Auburn), in the 8th Congressional District. Washington’s remaining congressional districts were held by incumbents. In addition, Patty Murray (D-Seattle) was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

Ron Dalby Joins Washington Business Magazine – Will be New Editor!
Ron Dalby, who was previously employed by Alaska Quality Publishing and has written two books about Alaska, has joined Washington Business Magazine as editor. Dalby’s editing and writing expertise will give AWB the competitive edge it needs to increase the production and sales of the magazine. “Ron brings decades of journalism experience to AWB and will help to bring our magazine to the next level,” said Lex Nepomuceno, AWB’s vice president of communications. “We are very fortunate to have somebody with as much talent and experience as Ron,” added AWB President Don Brunell.

AWB Will Participate in Employment Law Advisory Committee – Meeting on Nov. 9!
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, the Department of Labor & Industries is holding the first meeting of a newly formed Employment Law Advisory Committee. AWB has been asked to participate in this committee, which will be reviewing regulations and administrative policies relating to employment standards, wage and hour, and other employment law issues. The first meeting will involve reviewing a series of draft administrative policies prior to finalizing them. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Department of Revenue Schedules Rule Hearings – Mark These Dates on Your Calendar!
Public hearings and public meetings on Department of Revenue rules will be held at the Capitol Plaza Building in Olympia at 1:30 p.m. The schedule is: Tuesday, Nov. 9 (WAC 458-20-196 - Credit losses, bad debts, recoveries and WAC 458-20-198 - Conditional and installment sales, Method of reporting); Thursday, Nov. 18 (WAC 458-12-050 - Omitted property and omitted value, WAC 458-12-110 - Listing of personal property by the assessor, Penalties for failing to list personal property and for making a false or fraudulent listing); Friday, Nov. 22 (WAC 458-20-240 - Manufacturer's new employee tax credits and WAC 458-18-220 – Refunds, Rate of Interest); Tuesday, Nov. 30 (WAC 458-10-050 - Continuing education requirements, Appraisal practice and ethics); Monday, Dec. 6 (WAC 458-30-262 - Agricultural land valuation, Interest rate, Property tax component and WAC 458-30-590 - Rate of inflation, Publication, Interest rate, Calculation); and Monday, Dec. 20 (Repealing WAC 458-12-320 – Timber, Ownership, Valuations, Roads, Easements). Comments are due Tuesday, Nov. 30 on WAC 458-20-228 - Returns, remittances, penalties, extensions, interest, stay of collection. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

L&I Rate Hearings – AWB Calls for Reform, Not Increases!
AWB has been speaking up at L&I’s hearings on proposed workers’ comp rate increases. Our message: We want workers’ comp reform, not rate increases! Further workers’ comp rate increase hearings on are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 10 (King Oscar Convention Center, Tacoma); and Friday, Nov. 12 (Red Lion at the Quay, Vancouver). Written comments on the proposed rate increase must be received by L&I by noon, Monday, Nov. 15. All hearings begin at 3 p.m. Send comments to Kathy Kimbel, Employer Services program manager, P.O. Box 44140, Tumwater, WA 98504-4140 or via e-mail to lanz235@lni.wa.gov.  Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org, or AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Remember - Draft Comments on Flame Retardant Chemical Action Plan Due This Thursday!
AWB members still have time to comment on the Dept. of Ecology’s Chemical Action Plan (CAP) for PBDE flame retardants. The draft CAP recommends banning electronic products and upholsteries with PBDEs. Comments are due Thursday, Nov. 11. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Next Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee Meeting - Rep. McIntire to Discuss Tax Reform
AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee will be meeting Wednesday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. at Perkins Coie in Seattle. (Perkins Coie is in the Washington Mutual Building at 1201 Third Avenue, 48th floor). Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) will attend our meeting to address tax reform ideas for 2005 and beyond. We will also discuss the election results. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Health Care Update – Pay-or-Play Ballot Measure Defeated in California!
California’s pay-or-play health care proposition was defeated by the voters (50-49.1 percent). This misbegotten legacy of former California Gov. Gray Davis’ administration would have savaged California’s already troubled economy. Pay-or-play’s defeat is an enormous blessing to both California and the nation. Indeed, had this proposition passed, it is likely that a similar measure would have been put on the ballot in Washington state.

AWB Board Meeting Coming December 8 – Governor Elect Will Speak!
Washington’s still-to-be-determined governor elect will address AWB’s next Board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Madison Renaissance in Seattle. This event will include a finance meeting, luncheon and board meeting. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Speaker Chopp to Discuss 2005 Legislative Agenda – Next UI Committee Meeting!
AWB’s Unemployment Insurance Committee will meet Wednesday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. at a Seattle location to be determined. House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) will discuss legislative proposals and issues related to the UI system. An additional update on the 2005 ESD budget proposal will also be presented. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Look for November Issue of Washington Business Magazine – Environment Will Be Focus!
Coming later this month will be the November issue of Washington Business Magazine. The magazine will focus on the environment. The articles will include a detailed run down on the Northwest Environmental Conference and environmental affairs in Washington today.

Remember - Better Workplace Awards Nominations Due Nov. 17!
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor members who create family-friendly workplaces, promote safety and enable employees to be their best. You may nominate your business or organization or another AWB member. Deadline: Nov. 17. See www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp.  Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.