Workers’ Comp Moves to Center Stage – Two Initiatives to Legislature
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) and the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) have both filed workers’ comp initiatives to the Legislature. These ballot measures are worlds apart. BIAW’s Initiative 333 would save employers up to $141 million and provide more than 90 percent of employees a bigger benefit check than they currently receive. WSLC’s Initiative 334 will cost employers upwards to $1 billion, increase uncertainty, and continue poor claims management practices at L&I. AWB is currently studying both proposals. Regardless of what happens, workers’ comp is shaping up to be a major issue in the 2005 legislative session. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

AWB Files Brief in Important Workers’ Compensation Liability Case!
Today AWB filed a friend-of-the-court-brief on behalf of AWB and the Washington Self-Insurers Association in Shellenbarger v. Longview Fibre, an appeal pending in the Court of Appeals. The case concerns an employee's effort to weaken employer immunity from civil suit under the workers' compensation system. For more information, go to www.awb.org. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Don’t Blame Sam for Washington’s New Primary System - The Governor Vetoed Top Two!
Voters are angry with Washington’s new primary voting system where they must vote the party line. At the urging of the Democrat and Republican parties, the courts tossed out our open primary where you could vote for anyone you chose. Then last session, Gov. Locke vetoed the Cajun-style primary where voters could vote from whomever they want and the top two would move on to the general election. The fall back was the Montana-style primary where voters don’t have to register by party, but have to take either a Republican, Democrat or Libertarian ballot. Voters are venting their anger at Secretary of State Sam Reed, but folks, it is not his fault. He’s trying to make sense out of the law. To learn more about the new primary ballots, visit www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/primary.aspx.

More Legislative Endorsement Interviews This Week – We Need Your Input!
AWB’s legislative candidate endorsement interviews are still in progress. Be there when we come to your region. The schedule is: Wednesday, September 1 (Spokane - 3rd, 6th and 7th districts) and Thursday, September 2 (Bellevue – 41st, 45th and 48th districts). We want your input. Plan to attend! Further interviews will be scheduled for late September. Stay tuned for details. Contact AWB’s Kristen Sawin at (360) 943-1600 or KristenS@awb.org.

Supreme Court Expands Liability for Restaurants and Bars - Be Aware!
Last week, the Washington Supreme Court decided the case of Barrett v. Lucky Seven Saloon. At issue was whether an establishment is liable for damages caused by a drunk driver if the restaurant served an "apparently intoxicated" individual. The previous standard was the clearer "obviously intoxicated." See www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/?fa=opinions.opindisp&docid=729841MAJ.  Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Will Your Voice Be Heard in ’04 Primary? Voting Registration Deadline Today!
If you want to vote in the September 14 primary election, you must register by TODAY. Nominees in the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races will be chosen. It's too late to register by mail, but you may still register in person at county elections offices until the end of the business day TODAY. To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of Washington, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Go to www.awb.org and click the "Register to Vote" button.

Reminder – AWB Endorses Madsen, Sanders and Johnson for State Supreme Court!
Keep these candidates in mind as you begin filling out your absentee ballots: Barbara Madsen, Richard Sanders and Jim Johnson have been endorsed by AWB for the Washington State Supreme Court. “Today, court decisions often have more impact on employers than government regulations or legislation,” AWB President Don Brunell said. See www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=697&z=2. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Governmental Affairs Council – Meeting August 31!
AWB’s Governmental Affairs Council will meet in Olympia on Tuesday, August 31, 9 a.m.-12 noon. Recommendations will be made on the initiatives that are on the ballot this fall. The Board of Directors will receive these recommendations at the Policy Summit. Legislative objectives for 2005 will also be approved. Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Legal Affairs Committee Meeting on Thursday!
The AWB Legal Affairs Committee is meeting on Thursday, September 2, to look at recent requests for AWB legal action. The requests involve issues ranging from the amount of bond a defendant must post in order to appeal an adverse jury verdict to the constitutionality of the Department of Ecology's water rights relinquishment procedure. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

AWB Looks at Property Tax Initiative 892 – Give Us Your Feedback!
AWB is currently studying property tax Initiative 892 (last week we incorrectly listed it as Initiative 893), which would also allow slot machines in non-tribal venues. We need members feedback as we determine our response to this important ballot measure. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

PBT Workgroup – Meeting September 2!
AWB’s PBT Workgroup will meet in Olympia, Thursday, September 2, 10 a.m.-12 noon. Members will formulate a position on what criteria AWB will support to determine PBTs, what our position is regarding EPA’s Waste Minimization Prioritization Tool, and discuss what chemicals AWB can support being on the list and what chemicals we do not want on the list and why. The workgroup will also discuss the schedule and our strategy for the upcoming PBT rulemaking meetings and the status of Ecology’s PBDE chemical action plan. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Environmental Excellence Awards – Send in Nominations by September 10!
On Tuesday, October 19, AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards will be presented at our annual Environmental Conference (Tuesday-Wednesday, October 19-20, Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle). The Environmental Excellence Awards honor businesses who make a special effort to protect the environment. Nominations are due Friday, September 10. Nomination forms are available at www.awb.org. Contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Policy Summit Less Than a Month Away – Time to Register!
AWB’s Policy Summit is coming to the beautiful Semiahmoo Resort, Wednesday-Friday, September 22-24. Highlights include the only scheduled post-primary gubernatorial debate after the primary, and a wide ranging array of policy discussions. Don’t miss out! Register at www.awb.org/events/policysummit/index.asp. Contact Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

Latest Polls Show Bush Ahead Nationally and in Electoral Votes - Make Your Vote Count!
The latest Zogby Poll of 20,900 likely voters shows President Bush ahead with 50.8 percent of the vote compared to John Kerry with 46.7 percent. The August 29 Rasmussen Electoral College Report shows the President with 200 electoral votes and Kerry with 190. There are 148 electoral votes that are still in the toss-up category. On August 28, CNN reported Bush had 274 electoral votes to Kerry’s 264. In Washington, an August 23 Strategic Vision poll shows Kerry ahead, 48-43. Remember to vote in the September 14 primary election.