Davis Discusses Border Competitiveness on Washington Business Weekly – Available at www.awb.org
Washington Research Council’s Dick Davis discussed Washington’s problems competing with neighboring states on AWB’s Washington Business Weekly broadcast last week. The show is broadcast live on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM, every Thursday, 11 to noon. Next week the program will feature a very interesting look at workers’ comp. You, too, can hear the show by logging on to www.awb.org and clicking the box in the upper right. Give us your thoughts about the broadcast and ideas for future shows. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

U.S. Senate Approves DR-CAFTA – Bill Now Goes to House of Representatives
The U.S. Senate passed the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement last week with the support of both Sen. Murray and Cantwell. The bill now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives. We need to get Washington’s congressional delegation to support it. So far Rep. Dicks (D) and Hastings (R) are supporting it. Democrats McDermott, Smith, Baird and Larsen are opposed. Rep. Inslee (D), Reichert (R) and McMorris (R) are uncommitted. Go to www.awb.org and contact your members of Congress.

Agency Heads Speak at AWB’s Governmental Affairs Retreat
Dept. of Ecology Director Jay Manning, L&I Director Gary Weeks, and Employment Security Dept. Director Karen Lee spoke to AWB at last week’s Governmental Affairs Council retreat at the Alderbrook Resort. Manning expressed a desire to work as a partner with the business community, not as an adversary. He also stated that he believes the overwhelming majority of the business community does care about the environment. Weeks and Lee also stressed their desire to work with the business community.

Washington Business Magazine Scores High in Magnum Opus Awards Contest
Washington Business magazine has received silver and bronze awards in addition to four honorable mentions for its articles. This was a national competition, so this is quite an achievement. Contact Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

Dept. of Revenue High-Tech Rulemaking Coming Soon
The Dept. of Revenue will hold a public meeting Monday, July 11, 9:30 a.m., on revisions it is considering for WAC 458-20-229, regarding refunds. The draft rule is available at: http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/Rules/draft/CR101_20_229.PDF. The meeting will be held at the Capitol Plaza Building, 1025 E Union Ave, Olympia. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Agricultural Seminars to Be Held Later This Month
A series of seminars, sponsored by the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington State Grange, the Washington State Horticultural Association, the Potato and Onion Association, the Wine Grape Growers and the Hop Growers of Washington, will include updates on agricultural topics. AWB’s Amber Carter and Kris Tefft will participate. Morning seminars, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., will be held in Lynden, Monday, July 25; Wenatchee, Tuesday, July 26; Othello, Wednesday, July 27; Sunnyside, Thursday, July 28; and Shelton, Friday, July 29. Afternoon seminars, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., will be held in Mt. Vernon, July 25; Okanogan, July 26; Tri-Cities, July 27; Yakima, July 28; Puyallup, July 29; and Woodland on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Cost: $20 for members of the sponsoring associations, $80 for nonmembers, including breakfast or lunch, and an updated CD copy of the Farm Bureau’s Labor and Employment manual. To register, contact Scott Dilley at (800) 331-3276 or SDilley@wsfb.com.

Have You Received Suspicious Calls About Homeland Security? EMD Can Help Verify Caller Identity.
In recent weeks, businesses have been receiving calls supposedly from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or its contractors. The callers are asking for very sensitive information regarding security measures and infrastructure locations. Washington’s Emergency Management Division (EMD) urges local government and private business to be cautious of such calls. When you are contacted, try to verify the person's identity, agency and reason for request. If you are still suspicious or want to verify the request before responding, contact EMD, which will coordinate with DHS to try and verify the caller's identity. Contact Alec Chapman with the Emergency Management Division's Homeland Security Section at (253) 512-7044 or A.Chapman@emd.wa.gov if you receive such phone calls.

Workers’ Comp Committee Meetings – Mark Your Calendar for August 3 and 31
AWB’s Workers’ Comp Committee will be meeting August 3 and 31, 2005, 9 a.m.-12 noon, in the Tacoma area. An agenda and the location of the meetings will be provided at a later date. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Meeting with CTED and Health Care Authority Heads—If You Have Items for Us to Discuss, Let Us Know.
On July 14, we will meet with Juli Wilkerson, Dept. of Community, Trade and Economic Development, and then with Steve Hill, Health Care Authority director. Have issues? Contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

AWB Policy Summit Sponsors Needed - Call Now!
AWB’s 16th Annual Policy Summit is scheduled for Sept. 21–23 at Semiahmoo. Sponsors are still needed. Please secure your sponsorship for this event by July 15 to receive recognition in the Summit’s promotional brochure. Contact AWB's Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.