TVW Will Televise Policy Summit and Gubernatorial Debate
Can’t attend the Summit? Tune into TVW starting next weekend for coverage. The gubernatorial debate is scheduled to be telecast on Sept. 25. Go to www.tvw.org for telecast times.

Gubernatorial Primary Results – Gregoire Trounces Sims, Will Face Rossi in November!
The results from last week’s primary election are in! The hotly contested Democratic primary was won by Christine Gregoire (421,910 votes) over Ron Sims (182,332 votes). Gregoire will face Republican Dino Rossi in November. Rossi coasted to an easy primary victory with 358,054 votes.

Nethercutt, Hasting and Dunn Vote to Curb Lawsuit Abuse - Washington Democrats Vote NO!
On a party line vote last week, Washington’s Republican members of the U.S. House voted for HR 4571—legislation to curb frivolous lawsuit. While the legislation passed 229-174, Washington’s Democrats Jay Inslee (1st), Rick Larsen (2nd), Brian Baird (3rd), Norm Dicks (6th), Jim McDermott (7th), and Adam Smith (9th) voted to oppose the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act. AWB supports the legislation and it will be included in the 2004 Congressional Voting Record.

Polls Show President Bush Leading Kerry - New York Times/CBS Polls Shows 50-42 Margin!
According to a new New York Times/CBS poll taken last week, President Bush has a 50-42 lead over Sen. John Kerry which is an exact reversal from last February. In August, Sen. Kerry led in this poll, 47-44. The poll was conducted from Sept. 12-16 of nearly 1,300 Americans of which approximately 1,100 were registered voters. A Gallup poll made public on Sept. 16 found that President Bush had a lead of 8 points among all registered voters, and 13 points among who Gallup said were likely voters. Polls by Pew and Harris Interactive have the race dead even. Stay tuned.

General Election Voter Registration Deadline: October 2 - Register at www.awb.org! 
The deadline to register for the November general election is October 2. AWB makes voter registration easy. Go to www.awb.org and log on to Register to Vote!

Judicial Scorecard – Online at www.awb.org!
AWB’s Judicial Scorecard is now online. This is an invaluable guide to help you know judicial candidates before you enter the voting booth in November. See www.awb.org/law/scorecard/2004main.asp.

Congressional Race Update – Barbieri vs. McMorris in 5th, Reichert vs. Ross in 8th!
Washington’s two hotly contested open congressional races now have candidates for the general election. In eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District, Cathy McMorris (36,646 votes) beat Larry Sheahan (20,525 votes) and Shaun Cross (17,125 votes) for the GOP nomination. McMorris will face Democrat Don Barbieri (49,903 votes) in the general election. In King and Pierce County’s 8th Congressional District, Dave Reichert (25,055 votes) won over Diane Tebelius (12,732 votes), Luke Esser (12,354 votes) and Conrad Lee (6,363 votes) in a crowded GOP primary. In November, Reichert will face Democrat Dave Ross (31,739 votes) who beat Alex Alben (19,038 votes) and Heidi Behrens-Benedict (13,841 votes) in the primary.

AG Race – McKenna Wins GOP Primary, Senn Holds Small Lead in Close Democrat Race!
Rob McKenna and Debra Senn will likely face each other in the race for Washington’s attorney general. Senn (303,366 votes) has maintained a small lead over Mark Sidran (292,101 votes) in the Democratic primary, although this could change as absentee ballots are counted. In contrast, McKenna (299,032 votes) clearly beat Mike Vaska (86,552 votes) in the GOP primary. AWB endorsed Sidran and McKenna in the primary. AWB’s general election endorsements will be decided at the Policy Summit on Sept. 24. For our partial list of our elections endorsements, go to www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/default.aspx?a=650&z. A complete list will be published after the Policy Summit.

Madsen Retains Supreme Court Seat, Sanders and Johnson Move On!
In last Tuesday's primary, AWB-endorsed Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen retained her seat on the state's highest court by a large margin. The two other candidates AWB endorsed, Justice Richard Sanders and Olympia attorney Jim Johnson move on to face tough challengers in the November 2 general election. For more information on judicial races, contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Seattle Environmental Attorney Gives $250,000 to Knock Off Land Commissioner Sutherland
According to a KIRO-710 News, Seattle environmental activist and attorney Peter Goldman is giving $250,000 to an independent political committee that hopes to unseat state Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland. Goldman is the largest donor to Citizens Protecting our Water and Forests, which he helped organize. The committee's other major contributor is the nonprofit Washington Conservation Voters. Goldman has battled Sutherland in court and before state boards over the management of the state’s forest and range lands. Expect to see an ad blitz against Sutherland in the next weeks.

PBT Workgroup – Meeting September 27!
The PBT Workgroup will meet Monday, September 27 from 10 a.m.-12 noon in Olympia. The workgroup will discuss AWB’s position relative to how PBTs will be selected for chemical action plans, the process for developing those plans, and whether the PBT rule is a “significant legislative rule.” Ecology is on a very fast track to get this rule drafted by December. Members are encouraged to attend the meeting. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Increase the Pro-Business Vote – Tools to Educate Your Employees on the Issues!
In just a few short weeks, voters will 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. You can 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 nonpartisan, 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. Will your employees hear from you? For more information, contact Prosperity Project State Director Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

State House and Senate Committees Meeting - Legislature’s 2005 Agenda Taking Shape!
The 2005 legislative session does not begin until January, but legislative committees of both the Senate and the House are now meeting in Olympia to develop their agendas for the coming session. To view the schedule, visit www.leg.wa.gov/committees/storage/wcss/original/monthly_sched_sep-oct-2004.htm.

September/October Issue of Washington Business Magazine – Out This Week!
The latest issue Washington Business Magazine will be published this week, just in time for Policy Summit. Among its many interesting features will be a focus on this year’s election and a profile on Bellingham. There is still space for advertisements in the November/December issue of Washington Business Magazine. With the magazine now on newsstands, this is a great advertising opportunity. Contact Deb Haydon at (425) 375-9417 or DebAQP@awb.net.

Last Call for Policy Summit - Don’t Miss It for Anything!
AWB’s Policy Summit will be held this week from Wednesday-Friday, September 22-24 at the beautiful Semiahmoo Resort. Don’t miss it for anything. Not only will we have Washington’s first post-primary gubernatorial debate, but AWB’s policy goals for 2005 will also be finalized. Register now at www.awb.org/events/policysummit/index.asp. Contact Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

2004 Environmental Conference of Washington – A Great Event Not to Be Missed!
AWB and the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) will bring our members Washington’s most comprehensive environmental conference. Don’t miss this great event to be held October 19-20 at Seattle’s Washington State Trade & Convention Center. Register online at www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2004ecwashingtonorder.html. Contact Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Healthy Worksite Summit – Registration is Open!
In cooperation with Evergreen Everwell, AWB will co-sponsor the annual Healthy Worksite Summit (Nov. 4, SeaTac Hilton). This summit will teach you how to build a worksite wellness program. You will also learn how policy and environmental changes can impact your employees' health and productivity. Building a culture that promotes wellness, making the business case for health promotion, and connecting wellness policies to your organizational mission are among the topics. To register online, go to www.awcnet.org/wellness.