Legislative Endorsement Interviews – Be There When They Come to Your Town!
AWB’s legislative candidate endorsement interviews are coming soon to a city near YOU: Aug. 17 (Puyallup – 2nd, 25th, 30th and 33rd districts); Aug. 18 (Seattle), Aug. 19 (Tri-Cities – 8th, 9th and 16th districts); Aug. 23 (Tacoma – 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 33rd districts); Aug. 24 (Gig Harbor – 23rd, 26th and 35th districts); Aug. 30 (Mount Vernon – 10th, 40th and 42nd districts); Sept. 1 (Spokane - 3rd, 6th and 7th districts), and Sept. 2 (Bellevue – 41st, 45th and 48th districts). If you would like to participate and are not already signed up, please contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee – Meeting Alert!
The Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee is meeting at Deloitte and Touche, in Seattle, on Wednesday, August 18, 9:30 am-11:30 am. This meeting will be used to present, review and approve final versions of the agreed-upon legislative objectives. This will be a voting meeting. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

New Federal Overtime Rules – Soon to Go into Effect!
The new overtime rules regarding white collar employees put out this spring by the US Department of Labor go into effect next week, August 23. AWB is working with the Department of Labor & Industries on a fact sheet that explains the most important differences between the federal and state rules. Draft fact sheets may be viewed at www.awb.org/hr/overtime/FactSheetDraft8-11-04.pdf and www.awb.org/hr/overtime/ChartRevDraft8-11-04.pdf. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Important Meeting for Human Resources Council – Mark it on Your Calendar!
The AWB Human Resources Council will meet on August 19, 9:30 am-12 pm at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle. The Council will review the recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation, Workplace Safety, Health Care and Employment Law Committees for our 2005-06 legislative agenda. All committee recommendations will need to be reviewed and prioritized before recommendations can be advanced to the AWB Governmental Affairs Council and AWB’s Board of Directors. Additionally, the Council will take a position on any recommendations from the Workers’ Compensation Committee on the recently filed workers’ compensation initiative to the Legislature. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Frivolous Lawsuit Department – A Pickle of a Problem!
Lawsuits just keep getting wackier and more expensive for businesses! If you still don’t think we need tort reform, consider this gem: In Tennessee, a woman is seeking damages from McDonald’s because she claimed a pickle that was too hot slipped out of her burger bun and permanently scarred her chin. Not wanting to miss out on the action, her husband is also suing McDonald’s because he “has been deprived of the services and consortium of his wife.” What next?!?!

Transportation Committee Meeting – Legislative Objectives Will Be Finalized!
AWB’s Transportation Committee will meet Friday, August 20, 9:30 am-12 pm at AWB’s offices in Olympia. The 2004 legislative objectives will be reviewed, ideas for new legislation will be presented, anticipated legislation from other proponents will be discussed and the committee’s legislative objectives will be finalized. This will be a voting meeting. Deadline for issue ideas: August 13. Contact Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

AWB Policy Summit Coming in September – Register Now!
AWB’s Policy Summit (September 22-24) is only a month away. The Summit will feature gubernatorial candidate debates, great discussions of issues, and a finalization of our legislative objectives all at the beautiful Semiahmoo Resort. Register at
www.awb.org/events/policysummit/index.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Environmental Excellence Awards Nominations – Deadline September 10!
For over a decade AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards have been recognizing members who go the extra mile to protect Washington’s environment. The awards will be presented at an October 19 luncheon held in conjunction with our annual Environmental Conference scheduled for October 19-20 at Seattle’s Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Deadline for nominations is September 10. Hometown press releases and photos of the award ceremony will be sent to news media, and the events will be featured in Washington Business Magazine. AWB will also provide you with stories and photos for your company publications. We look forward to receiving your company’s nomination form and seeing you at the award presentation! Nomination forms are available at www.awb.org. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

There is Still Advertising Space in Washington Business Magazine – Don’t Miss Out!
Interested in advertising in Washington Business Magazine’s next issue? There is still space. With the magazine now on newsstands, this is a great opportunity to reach our expanding readership. Contact Deb Haydon at (425) 379-9417 or DebAQP@awb.net.

Remember – We Need Your Input!
AWB’s annual membership poll is being conducted this month. This survey will help AWB identify issues and find new ways to help our members. In addition, our annual Washington Business Magazine readership survey is being conducted this month. When you receive the survey, please complete it and return it as soon as possible. Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.