URGENT--Tort Reform Vote in U.S. Senate This Week–Tell Murray and Cantwell to Support!
Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have not been tort reform supporters in the past. However, their help is needed now so a tort reform bill, supported by employers, can come to a Senate vote this week. Contact Murray via e-mail at senator_murray@murray.senate.gov or fax (202) 224-0238 and Cantwell fax (202) 228-0514 or e-mail at maria_cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov today. Ask them to support class action lawsuit reform. Please copy AWB’s Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org with your e-mails and the senators’ responses. Your E-Mail or Fax May Make a Difference!
Business/Labor Workers’ Comp Negotiations End – AWB Will Continue to Push for Reform!
The business/labor workers’ comp negotiations, in which AWB participated, have ended without agreement. We’re hopeful the work we invested in over the last few months will lay the foundation for negotiations after the elections or during the 2005 session. AWB is now concentrating on the 2005 workers’ comp rate setting process. The goal is to not have a double-digit rate increase next year. Contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.
AWB Wants Feds to Send UI Money Back---Asks Gov to Tell ESD to Apply Money to Rates
In letters to Washington’s Congressional Delegation, the Association of Washington Business (AWB) is asking Congress to transfer $9 billion in Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) revenue to the state unemployment trust funds. Under the plan, if Congress and President Bush approve, each state will receive a share of the $9 billion in proportion to the amount of FUTA taxes paid by its employers. AWB President Don Brunell also asked Gov. Gary Locke to then direct Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) to apply the entire amount toward reducing unemployment premiums for Washington employers. “On average, Washington employers saw their taxes rise by about 14 percent in 2004, and that was on top of an average 15 percent increase in 2003,” Brunell said. Contact Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org or
DOE to Develop Chemical Action Plan for Flame Retardant – AWB Will Advise!
The Department of Ecology will start developing a new chemical action plan for PBDE flame retardants. Starting Thursday June 3, AWB and member companies will participate on an advisory committee to ensure that Ecology’s process in developing the chemical action plan is fair to business. The PBT Workgroup’s next meeting is June 9. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.
Washington Business Magazine Accepting Letters to the Editor – Get YOUR Views in Print!
If you have an issue you’d like to discuss in a public forum, Washington Business Magazine encourages AWB members to send letters to the editor. Send submissions to AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at AlexisN@awb.org.
AWB Flag Pavilion Dedicated - Thanks to Quiring Monument for Granite Marker
A year and a half after AWB dedicated its new building, the staff dedicated its flag pavilion to all AWB members and their families who have served our country. “Our country is great because our citizens sacrifice for others whether they be in the Peace Corp or military,” AWB President Don Brunell said. The granite marker commemorating the dedication was donated by Dave Quiring, Quiring Monument, Seattle. Dave donated the installation as well. Thanks, Dave.
Don C. Brunell Scholarship for Future Leaders Introduced – Funding Goal Exceeded!
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) Board honored AWB President Don Brunell at its Spring Board Meeting in Spokane by creating the Don C. Brunell Scholarship for Future Leaders. The Don C. Brunell Scholarship for Future Leaders will be a $1,500 unrestricted scholarship awarded to one student from the Washington Business Week Summer Program who best exemplifies the leadership traits, abilities and potential that will be required to maintain Washington’s competitive business advantage in the future. Funding for the scholarship was contributed by members of the AWB Board. Donations and pledges totaled $21,700, well above the original $15,000 goal. Contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 or MikeH@awb.org.
Washington Business Week Needs Volunteers – Great Opportunity!
Washington Business Week (WBW) needs volunteers to serve as Company Advisors (CA) for one of 3 weeks this summer. Each CA will guide a company of 8–10 high school students, serving as advisors and mentors, with full support from the WBW staff and veteran advisors. Prospective advisors do NOT need a particular background or area of expertise to be an effective CA, only a sense of caring and concern about young people. Contact Kelli Dixon (Kelli@wbw.org) or Steve Hyer (Steve@wbw.org) at (800) 686-6442. Check out the WBW website at www.wbw.org.
Darren Johnson - A Model for Other Educators - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.
