URGENT---ACTION NEEDED RIGHT NOW!
Contact Senators Murray and Cantwell Today – Tell Them to Support Asbestos Legislation
The U.S. Senate will take up the Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act this month. The bill is now S. 2290 (formerly S. 1125), and it reforms the system of compensation for asbestos disease claims by removing the issue from the courts and making it a no-fault system, much like the state workers’ compensation systems. The bill would create a national asbestos victims compensation fund, financed by defendant companies and insurers. E-mail Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell today. Ask them to support S. 2290—the Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act. Go to www.awb.org to contact Cantwell and Murray or for your convenience, go to the National Association of Manufacturers’ Asbestos Alliance website and send the e-mail directly: http://capwiz.com/nam/home/.

Public Comment Period Begins on Stormwater Permit Fee Rule—You Need to Comment!
The Dept. of Ecology is accepting comments until May 26 on its proposed changes to stormwater and wastewater permit fees. Members are encouraged to review and comment on the proposed rule, which is available online at www.ecy.wa.gov and from AWB. Public workshops and hearings on the rule will be held around the state in May. Ecology staff will also attend AWB's Water Quality Committee meeting on May 6 to discuss the rule and other changes to stormwater permits as the result of legislation passed last session. Contact AWB's Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Workers’ Comp Discussions Scheduled Next Week—Your Input Needed
The so-called Blue Ribbon Commission on workers’ comp is scheduled to begin its work next Tuesday, April 27. The Governor asked AWB President Don Brunell to pull together the process to involve the employer community. AWB’s workers’ comp staff coordinator Amber Balch Carter is coordinating the input for employers. There is an open meeting for all employers interested in workers’ comp at AWB Tomorrow (April 20) from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Employers are welcome to participate. If you have ideas or issues you would like discussed, please contact Amber at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Priorities/Price of Government Process Starting Up Again - Davis Involved for WashACE
The Priorities/Price of Government (POG) Guidance Team is beginning its work on the 2005-2007 Washington state budget. Dick Davis, president of the Washington Research Council, is the private sector representative participating for the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE). WashACE is a partnership between AWB, the Washington Research Council and the Washington Roundtable. “It is important that WashACE participates because we fully expect the state to be between $1 and $1.5 billion short of revenue entering into the budget process next year,”AWB President Don Brunell said. With the POG, Washington was able to avert a major tax increase in 2003 when the state was $2.7 billion short of revenue. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at 360-943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

AWB Exec. Committee Meets This Week - Give Us Your Thoughts About Endorsing Candidates
AWB’s Executive Committee is conducting a two-day planning meeting in the TriCities on Thursday and Friday. Among the issues they will consider is whether or not to endorse in state-wide races such as governor and attorney general. Last year, the Executive Committee voted to begin a legislative candidate endorsement and recruitment process. The Board approved that recommendation at its May 2003 meeting. If you have thoughts about endorsing in the state-wide races, please contact AWB’s Gary Chandler at 360-943-1600 or GaryC@awb.org.

Say No! to Ref. 55 – Support Washington’s Charter Schools Law!
AWB is urging its members not to sign Referendum 55; the measure seeking to repeal Washington’s new charter schools law. “Charter schools are not for every student, but neither are public schools,” AWB President Don Brunell said. A Washington Education Association (WEA) led coalition is sponsoring Ref. 55. To qualify for the Nov. 2 general election ballot, referendum supporters will have to collect nearly 100,000 valid signatures from registered Washington voters by June 9. AWB is asking voters not to sign the measure and support charter schools legislation signed into law this year.

Brunell, Davis Tell Auburn Chamber that Competitiveness is “The Election Issue!”
Speaking to the Auburn Chamber today, AWB President Don Brunell and Washington Research Council President Dick Davis told chamber members to make competitiveness and job creation “The Election Year Issue.” They have been touring the state talking with AWB members, editorial boards and chambers of commerce about competitiveness. Contact Don Brunell at 360-943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

AWB Presented Charter Champion Award at Weekend Event
The Washington Charter Public Schools presented AWB with a Charter Champion Award at the group’s 1st annual Washington Charter Schools Conference. “These are our honored champions of the charter school movement. Without them it would have been impossible for Washington to join the other 40 states that already authorize charter public schools,” said Fawn Spady. “Words can not express our gratitude for their leadership, courage, vision, tenacity and deep commitment to helping our state's most educationally disadvantaged students.”

Charter Schools Conference on TVW - Tune In
The Charter Schools Conference was taped by TVW. Go to http://www.tvw.org/media/liveevnts.cfm and get the telecast schedule. It is well worth seeing.

Lake Chelan Retreat Planned for Governmental Affairs Committee – Don’t Delay!
AWB’s Annual Governmental Affairs Retreat is scheduled for May 10-12 at Campbell’s Resort in Lake Chelan. AWB has put together a panel of local government officials to speak to attendees and will also have speakers on initiatives that may be on the fall ballot. Additionally, the 2004 voting record will be finalized, and discussions to determine candidate endorsements will be held. For more information, contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org. Reservations can be made by calling the Campbell’s Resort directly at (800) 553-8225.

Board to Meet Soon – Save the Date!
AWB’s Spring Board Meeting is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m., May 19 at the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel in Spokane. The meeting will be comprised of many smaller, yet important committee meetings, including the Policy Summit, Finance and Nominating committees. AWB’s Community Service Awards will also be presented during the dinner, to begin at 6 p.m. For more information, contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

Workforce Development Folks Looking for Volunteers – Help Prepare the Workforce of Tomorrow!
The Institute for Workforce Development and Economic Sustainability (IWDES) is developing a database of Washington business people who are willing to serve on one or more of the many workforce related boards, committees and groups. When vacancies become available, the database will provide referrals for the positions. To volunteer, contact IWDES’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 or MikeH@awb.org.

Receive Big Savings on Premier Shipping Services – Sign Up Today!
AWB Freight Savings Program gives small and mid-sized companies the same opportunities to save money on shipping as larger companies. Participants receive a 62 percent discount on all less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments between 200 to 20,000 pounds in the U.S. and Canada. Members also receive the opportunity to attend free, educational freight seminars. For additional information, contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

Congress Needs to Act This Year on Asbestos Fairness Legislation - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.