WEA Votes to Support Referendum to Overturn Charter Schools Law and Sue the State for More Money!
Delegates at the Washington Education Association’s (WEA) annual representative assembly in Spokane last Friday voted to support a ballot measure asking voters to reject charter schools. The vote came a day after leaders of the 76,000-member union voted to sue the state to force the Legislature to make more money available for basic education. The WEA contends charter schools will take $35 million away from public schools each year for the next two years. Charter schools were authorized when Gov. Locke signed HB 2295 earlier this month. If the anti-charter forces gather 99,000 valid voter signatures by June 9, HB 2295 will be suspended until voters statewide render their verdict at the ballot box on Nov. 2. AWB supports Charter schools. If you want to fight the WEA efforts, contact Jim Spady at info@wacharterschools.org or call (206)634-0589.

Sign Up Now for Charter Schools Conference!
The conference will be held on April 16-18 at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Session Reports by Issue are Available - Contact Shannon Garland for Copies
With Gov. Locke wrapping up his action on bills passed by the 2004 Legislature, AWB’s governmental affairs staff has completed its 2004 report by issue areas. For copies, contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Several Bills Cross Governor’s Desk Last Week – More to Come!
Gov. Gary Locke signed HB 2598 last week to expand the venues in which legal action can be brought against agency actions. Gov. Locke also signed SB 6489 that establishes greater fairness in correctional industries. Stay tuned to www.awb.org for results. Also, HB 1691, a pilot project on Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP’s) in the workers’ comp system, and SB 6356 a pilot project for physician  assistants in the workers’ comp system has also been signed into law by Gov Locke. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Balch Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Brunell Meets With Sen. Murray’s Staff About Needed Asbestos Lawsuit Reforms
Last Tuesday, AWB President Don Brunell was among a small group meeting with Sen. Patty Murray’s staff discussing the need for asbestos lawsuit reform. “Our goal is to end the litigation, assist those who are ill from asbestos-related diseases and stop the growing number of employers forced into bankruptcy from asbestos lawsuits,” Brunell said. AWB wants the Washington Congressional Delegation to support S. 1125, Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act, which is scheduled to come for a vote in the U.S. Senate on April 19.

Action Alert! Contact Murray and Cantwell to Support Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act - Go to www.awb.org
The U.S. Senate will take up S. 1125 – the Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act on April 19, 2004. The bill 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 state workers’ compensation systems. The bill would create a national asbestos victims compensation fund financed by defendant companies and insurers. It would create a $114 billion fund for this compensation. E-mail or fax Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell today and ask them to support S. 1125—the Fairness in Asbestos Resolution Act. Go to www.awb.org.

Brunell Meeting with NAM Officials on Competitiveness Strategies
With the growing political concern about jobs moving offshore, AWB President Don Brunell will be in Detroit and Washington, D.C. meeting with National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) officials this week discussing strategies to deal with the issues. If you have suggestions, please e-mail them to Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

AWB to Supreme Court: Keep the “Reasonable” in Reasonable Accommodation!
Last Thursday, AWB General Counsel Kris Tefft presented oral argument to the Washington State Supreme Court in Olympia on behalf of the association’s members in Riehl v. Foodmaker, Inc. At issue in the case is whether a plaintiff who sues an employer for disability discrimination for failing to make a “reasonable accommodation” must prove that the accommodation was medically necessary. AWB has a long history of defending employers’ rights at all levels of the court system in precedent-setting cases. A decision is expected by year’s end. Contact Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Murray’s Bad Business Amendment Dies on Floor of U.S. Senate
Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate turned down 53-46 an amendment to H.R. 1997 offered by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) that would have greatly expanded employer liability and confusion in the areas of federal family medical leave and unemployment insurance. The amendment was read in for the first time on the Senate floor, was attached to an unrelated bill, and never went through public hearings. AWB thanks members who contacted Senators Murray and Cantwell expressing opposition to the amendment. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Accelerating Out of the Turn - WashACE Competitiveness Strategies Being Updated
After conducting a series of focus groups and chamber presentations across the state, AWB and its WashACE partners, the Washington Research Council and the Washington Roundtable, are updating the competitiveness strategies based on the input we received. For example, we will be doing a section on the health care industry and on health related issues. The final strategy will be unveiled at the Policy Summit at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo on Sept. 22-24. For more information, contact AWB President Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

AWB Ergonomics Workshop Coming to Richland and Spokane – Space is Limited!
Get answers to your ergonomics questions on Thursday, April 22 in Richland and Tuesday, May 18 in Spokane. Take advantage of expert consulting services for a fraction of the normal cost. Bring your ergonomics problem (photos, video, drawings or actual tool/workstation) and present it to workshop leaders. Cost is $350/person (includes continental breakfast & lunch). Space is very limited. To register contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

“No Child Left Behind” Advisor to Speak at AWB Spring Meeting
Sandy Kress is scheduled to be the dinner speaker at AWB’s May 18 Annual Spring Meeting. Kress served as senior education advisor to President George W. Bush helping establish the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Kress is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the District of Columbia Bar and is involved with many civic organizations. He serves on the board of directors of the Texas Business & Education Coalition and the Austin Area Research Organization. For more information, contact AWB President Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

Have Your Company’s Contribution to Community Recognized – Nomination Deadline Approaching!
The Association of Washington Business is presenting a series of Community Service Awards to recognize its members’ volunteerism and contributions, which make our communities better places in which to live and work. The Community Service Awards will be presented during a special dinner held in conjunction with the May 18 Association of Washington Business Annual Spring Meeting in Spokane. Recognize your company’s generosity before Monday, April 19, 2004, at http://www.awb.org/programs/awards/csawardsnominations.htm.

Don’t Miss Out on Magazine Ad Space – Call Today!
The deadline for advertising in May’s Washington Business Magazine is April 1. To place an ad, contact Deborah M. Haydon at 360-297-4228 or Debaqp@awb.net.

AWB Congratulates New UW President and Dr. Lee Huntsman for a Job Well Done
University of Washington regents voted unanimously to recommend Mark Emmert as the university's new president recently. "This is great news - both for the university and the state of Washington. I understand that Mark is an outstanding leader who has done an exceptional job as chancellor of Louisiana State University,” said Gov. Locke. “Dr. Lee Huntsman, the interim president, stepped in after Richard McCormick left for Rutgers and did an admirable job,” AWB President Don Brunell said. “Huntsman and Dr. Lane Rawlins, president of WSU, formed a strategic partnership, which will keep our two research universities among the best in the world. That partnership was long overdue and both presidents deserve recognition for their leadership,” Brunell added. “We look forward to meeting and working with Dr. Emmert.”

Mother Nature – The Biggest Polluter - See this week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.