AWB Legislative Endorsements - Watch your mailbox!
In the next couple of weeks all AWB members will be receiving an invitation to participate in the candidate interviews for the 2005 Washington State Legislature. Candidate interviews will be held from mid- August to early September. If you are interested in serving on an interview team please contact AWB’s Political Director, Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council Chairman Jim Luce to Speak to Energy Committee
Come and listen to Jim Luce, EFSEC Chairman, update AWB members on the current and future activities of the agency. Also on the agenda is an update on the governor’s CO2 initiatives and information about the renewable energy resolution from the Western Governor’s Association meeting. The Energy Committee is meeting July 20th at 2:00 pm at AWB. For more information contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

Mark Your Calendars! Environmental Conference on Oct. 19 & 20
AWB’s annual Environmental Conference is scheduled for October 19-20 at the Washington State Trade & Convention Center in Seattle. Topics include: Water Quality, Air Quality, Permitting, Pollution Prevention, Industrial Lands, Hazardous Waste, Stormwater, Incentives, and Lean Manufacturing. The event also includes a luncheon honoring AWB’s members for their efforts in the environmental arena. For information contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at 1-800-521-9325 or JenniferD@awb.org. Information is also available at www.ecwashington.org.

Presidential Race is a Dead Heat in Washington--Undecided Voters Growing
According to Moor Information polling during the periods of June 9-11 and June 23-24, President Bush and Senator John Kerry are in a dead heat in Washington. On June 9-11, Bush had 44% and Kerry 45%. After June 24, both Bush and Kerry had 43%. The difference is the undecided vote which went from 7 to 10%. Kerry leads the President by a 77 to 9% margin in Seattle while Bush has a 56 to 32% margin in eastern Washington. West of the Cascades, outside Seattle, voters favor President Bush by a 44 to 41% margin. The poll was a 500 voter sample with a 4% margin for error.

Local Donors Prefer the President…Bush and Kerry Raising Millions in Washington
According to the July 9 issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal, President Bush raised $2.62 million in Washington from contributors writing checks for $200 or more while Senator Kerry took in $1.67 million. Those figures were as of the end of May. To see who is giving to both candidates, go to the Journal’s website: http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/. 

In Progress - Municipal Tax Fairness Act Negotiations Continue!
Under last year’s long awaited Municipal Tax Fairness Act, model city ordinances to implement the act must be agreed upon with input from businesses. Currently, negotiations between cities and businesses are underway. AWB must submit comments to the cities by July 15. Cities must adopt the model ordinances by December 31, 2004. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Register to Vote--Go to AWB Website
With the close elections, you need to register and vote. AWB is making it easy for you, your family and colleagues to register. Go to www.awb.org and register today. Your vote could determine your company’s future.

AWB’s 2004 Legislative Report Card is Coming Soon!
The 2004 Legislative Report Card will be publicly launched in the upcoming issue of Washington Business Magazine. The magazine will be mailed later this week. If you want to advertise in the magazine, contact AWB’s Alexis Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

Save $$$! Early bird Registrations for the 2004 Policy Summit at Semiahmoo!
Go to our Web site and register for this year’s Policy Summit taking place Sept. 23-25. Take advantage of the early bird special. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.