With a Second Recount Imminent, AWB Offers Transitional Support to Rossi and Gregoire
Now that a second recount appears imminent in the governor’s race, AWB President Don Brunell indicated to both the Rossi and Gregoire camps the Association’s assistance with the transition. “Time is of the essence,” Brunell said. “In shortly over one month, a new governor will be sworn in and the outcome of the election may be in doubt through much of December. Therefore, we believe it is imperative to have people ready to assume their duties in a new administration.”

Senate Democrats Now in Driver’s Seat - Brown is Now Majority Leader!
While it is still uncertain who will occupy the Governor’s Mansion in 2005, the leadership of next year’s Democrat controlled Legislature is beginning to emerge. In the Senate, where Democrats now have a 26-23 advantage, Lisa Brown (Spokane) is floor leader, Debbie Regala (Tacoma) is floor leader, Tracey Eide (Federal Way) is whip, Harriet Spanel (Bellingham) is caucus chair, and Rosa Franklin (Tacoma) is president pro tempore.

Senate Elect Finkbeiner as Republican Leader - Esser is Floor Leader
The Senate minority leadership includes Bill Finkbeiner (Kirkland) as Republican leader, Luke Esser (Bellevue) as floor leader, Mike Hewitt (Walla Walla) as whip, and Jim Honeyford (Sunnyside) as caucus chair.

House Democrats Increase Numbers and Keep Frank Chopp as Speaker
In the House of Representatives, Democrats now have a 56-43 advantage. The Democrat leadership includes Speaker of the House Frank Chopp (Seattle), Lynn Kessler (Hoquiam) as majority leader, Brian Hatfield (Raymond) as majority floor leader, Sharon Tomiko Santos (Seattle) as whip, Bill Grant (Walla Walla) as caucus chair, and John Lovick (Mill Creek) as speaker pro tempore.

House Republicans Elect Bruce Chandler as Leader and Mike Armstrong as Deputy GOP Leader
House Republican leadership will include Bruce Chandler (Granger) as minority leader. Mike Armstrong (Wenatchee) will be deputy leader. Other members of the House Republican leadership team are Beverly Woods (Poulsbo), caucus chair; Doug Ericksen (Ferndale), floor leader; Jim Clements (Selah), whip; Dan Newhouse (Sunnyside), assistant floor leader; and Jay Rodne (Snoqualmie), assistant floor leader.

Michael Silverstein Leaves L&I – Best Known for Administering WISHA!
L&I’s Assistant Director for Safety and Health Michael Silverstein and main push behind the state’s repealed ergonomics regulations, announced his resignation. Best known for administering WISHA, Silverstein will take a teaching position at the University of Washington. No replacement has been announced.

1-800-RECYCLE – Dept. of Ecology’s Resource for Helping to Recycle Electronic Waste!
Residents and small businesses can locate available collection and recycling services for their computers, monitors, televisions and more with a simple phone call or a visit to the World Wide Web. “While the program, which is managed by the Washington Department of Ecology has been around since 1978, many people just don’t know about it”, said AWB’s Governmental Affairs Director Grant Nelson. “It’s really simple. Just dial 1-800-RECYCLE or go to http://1800recycle.wa.gov/ and let your fingers do the walking.” AWB is participating on Ecology’s E-Waste advisory committee, which is charged with making recommendations regarding what changes may be necessary with how Washington handles electronic products when they have reached the end of their useful life. “It will be important to consider what E-Waste collection, recycling and disposal options are currently available for residents and businesses prior to redesigning or implementing new systems that could be expensive for businesses in our state,” Nelson added. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

AWB Encourages Agencies to Reconsider Flame Retardant Ban
The Department of Ecology and Department of Health released their draft chemical action plan (CAP) for polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants last month, which recommends banning products in Washington state that contain PBDEs. PBDE flame retardants are used in consumer products to meet stringent safety standards and have saved numerous lives and decreased injuries caused by fires for many years. For some consumer products, effective alternatives do not exist. From our perspective, Ecology and Health have over relied on the precautionary principle in assessing potential risks to human health and the environment caused by PBDEs. In written comments submitted to the agencies, AWB is asking the departments to withdraw their recommendation to ban PBDEs and ensure they have adequately studied consumer safety issues prior to going forward with the chemical action plan. For more information and to receive a copy of AWB comments on the draft chemical action plan, contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Department of Revenue Hearings – Starting Next Week!
Public hearings and public meetings on Dept. of Revenue rules will be held at the Capitol Plaza Building in Olympia at 1:30 p.m. The schedule is: 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.

AWB Receives 23 Better Workplace Awards Nominations – Winners to be Announced Dec. 8!
This year AWB received a bumper crop of nominations for our Better Workplace Awards. Currently, judges are evaluating all 23 nominees. The winner will be selected by the end of this week. The Better Workplace Awards, which honor companies that go the extra mile to create excellent working environments, will be presented at the Dec. 8 AWB Board meeting in Seattle.

Invitations Extended to Governor - Elect to Address the Board on Dec. 8 in Seattle
Hopefully, by Dec. 8, Washington will have a governor-elect. AWB has sent an invitation to the new governor-elect to address the Board at lunch that day. Gary Moore, the former state lead negotiator on the state’s first collective bargaining agreement will also address AWB’s Board of Directors. This event will take place Wednesday, Dec. 8, 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Madison Renaissance in Seattle. At the luncheon (12 noon-1:30 p.m., $45 per person), the Better Workplace Award winners will be presented. The Board meeting itself will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register online at www.awb.org/events/DecBoard.asp. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@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.

Tax and Fiscal Policy Council to Meet Jan. 4 – OFM Director Brown Will Speak!
AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at AWB in Olympia. OFM Director Marty Brown will attend this meeting to brief the council on the governor’s proposed 2005-2007 budget. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Plan Ahead! UW President Mark A. Emmert Will Speak to Executive Committee on March 11!
University of Washington President Dr. Mark Emmert will speak to AWB Executive Committee on March 11. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree – Official Lighting This Friday! We Still Need Donations!
Our Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree arrived last week at the Capitol Campus in Olympia and was set in place near historic Tivoli Fountain. The 30-foot tree has been provided by AWB member Port Blakely Tree Farms of Olympia. The official tree lighting is Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. Following the lighting, the public is invited to a reception in the Temple of Justice. All donations will be used to purchase gifts for deserving rural families. Deserving families are identified through a network of volunteer fire fighters who also distribute the gifts. Contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

Your Business Can Receive Refunds on Workers’ Comp Premiums - Join AWB CompWise Today!
AWB CompWise gives you the opportunity to receive refunds on the premiums you pay to L&I. Find out how at www.awb.org/services/compwise/index.asp. CompWise’s next enrollment deadline is Dec. 15, so act now! Contact AWB’s Jon Teague at (360) 943-1600 or JonT@awb.org.