McCabe Joins AWB Staff….Chris McCabe That Is!
Local land use attorney Chris McCabe joined AWB’s Governmental Affairs staff today. He will concentrate on energy, land use and water. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Confronting Identity Theft – Watch For Tefft Column in Washington Business Magazine
Washington passed one of the more aggressive identity theft laws in the nation in 2001. AWB General Counsel Kris Tefft outlines ways to apply the law and confront identity theft in the upcoming issue of Washington Business magazine. Watch for it in the mail!

Washington Court of Appeals to Hear AWB Supported Tax Appeal
AWB is supporting our member ChevronTexaco in a tax appeal against the Department of Revenue over the appropriate valuation of oil and gas for tax purposes and whether a business like ChevronTexaco can rely on its books and records as sufficient evidence to value transactions. The trial court sided with the Department of Revenue, and the Court of Appeals takes up the matter this week. AWB filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief on behalf of ChevronTexaco. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org or (360) 943-1600.

Legislative Taskforce on Offshore Outsourcing Gets Underway this Week
When the Legislature convenes for its assembly days later this week, the Joint Legislative Task Force on State Contracts, formed by Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 to look at the issue of offshore outsourcing of state contract work, will have an organizational meeting. The meeting takes place on the afternoon of September 16 at the Capitol. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at KrisT@AWB.org or (360) 943-1600.

We Want to Know How You are Helping Hurricane Katrina Victims So We Can Post on Our Web site
Millions of individuals and thousands of companies are contributing millions (and perhaps billions) to help Hurricane Katrina victims. AWB President Don Brunell tried to capture a sampling of the vast array of contributions in his column last week. We are setting aside a section on our Web site, www.awb.org, to list contributions from AWB members. This is designed to help provide you with information and ideas on how you may help. Thanks to all.

Want a Chance to Win an AWB Pendleton Woolen Blanket for the Winter…It’s a Popular Design
Last year, AWB teamed with one of its oldest members, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Washougal, to produce an original design for a queen-sized woolen blanket. The design is modeled after the company’s popular national park series. All Policy Summit sponsors have an opportunity to win. To date, 38 AWB members have signed on as sponsors. So, 38 AWB members have an opportunity to win one of these blankets at the Policy Summit next week. If you would like to sponsor the Summit and have an opportunity to win, contact Jennifer Davis at JenniferD@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Global Competitiveness Council – UPDATE
AWB President Don Brunell attended the first Global Competitiveness Council meeting last week. Consequently, AWB (in coordination with the Washington Roundtable) has assigned several members of its staff to coordinate input on the various subcommittees of the Council. On AWB’s staff, Gary Chandler is charged with coordinating work on the “Costs of Business” related issues, and he will pay particularly close attention to Unemployment, Health Care and Workers’ Comp. The Global Competitiveness Council has other subcommittees dealing with regulations, tourism, taxation, workers’ comp, unemployment, infrastructure and many other issues. To obtain a list of the subcommittees along with the AWB staff assignments so you can be involved, please contact Don Brunell at DonB@awb.org.

AWB Policy Summit Sweaters Are Here….Those Not Attending Can Purchase One By Contacting AWB
The popular AWB Policy Summit sweaters are in. They are great. The tradition continues. Those attending the Policy Summit will receive a sweater as part of their registration. Some of you asked if we would also sell them to members who cannot attend. We can and we will. Please contact Amy Johnson at AmyJ@awb.org or call (360) 943-1600, and we will take your order. Delivery will be after the Summit, and the price for AWB members is $29.95 and for non-members it’s $36.95 plus shipping. For AWB members, shipping is free. You can still register for the Summit by contacting Amy.

Weights and Measures Rule Proposal to Increase Fees – AWB is Preparing a Response!
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has released its informal proposal to modify the administrative rules related to weights and measures. The proposal seeks to (1) increase device inspection frequency, (2) increase the percent of pricing systems inspected from 2% to 10% annually, and (3) increase business and public education on pricing, packaging and labeling. All of these changes will increase the Department’s administration costs. Accordingly, the Department proposes that the higher costs be funded in part by increased fees on business. AWB has set-up a meeting in Olympia at AWB on Wednesday, September 14, at 10:30 a.m. to review the proposal, consider positions, and develop a coordinated response. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Import/Export B&O Tax Exemption Repeal – DOR Needs To Hear From You!
The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) has proposed changes to WAC 458-20-193 and 193C. WAC 458-20-193C covers imports and exports – the sales of goods from or to persons in foreign countries. The DOR proposes to repeal WAC 458-20-193C on the theory that applicable federal law has changed and no longer supports the regulations. If WAC 458-20-193C is repealed, import and export transactions will be governed by WAC 458-20-193. In some cases, this change will eliminate available state B&O tax exemptions for import and export transactions in Washington state. A CR-102 meeting is scheduled for September 14 at the Olympia DOR office at 10:00 a.m. This is the time to register your objections in writing or in person on September 14. Contact AWB’s Tom McBride at (360) 943-1600 or TomM@awb.org.

Medical Malpractice Reform – Support I-330; Oppose I-336!
AWB’s Board voted to endorse I-330, the medical community’s initiative on medical malpractice reform, and to oppose I-336, the personal injury lawyers, counter initiative. AWB members will be receiving a mailing that asks for help in this effort. Please be generous. Passage of I-330 is an important step in controlling health care costs and to put more money into the hands of people who have been harmed. For details go to: www.yesoni330.org.

Standard Mileage Rates Increase to 48.5 cents per mile – Final Four Months of 2005 Affected
The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department announced on Sept. 9 that they will increase the optional standard mileage rates for the final four months of 2005. The rate will increase to 48.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005. This is an increase of 8 cents from the 40.5 cent rate in effect for the first eight months of 2005 in recognition of recent gasoline price increases. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year. For more information, see http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=147423,00.html.

Remember Federal Deadlines – You Can Be Reimbursed for Prescription Drug Costs
Employers who pay for prescription drug benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees may be partially reimbursed if they enroll before Sept. 30 and send letters to eligible employees/retirees informing them of the benefit by Nov. 15. See www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/CCguidances.asp. Medicare recipients may enroll in the program Nov. 15-May 15. See www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/pdbma/employer.asp. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Policy Summit is Coming on Sept. 21-23 – Don’t Miss Out – It’s Not Too Late to Register!
AWB’s Policy Summit will be held at Semiahmoo, Sept. 21-23. Among its many events will be the Executive Committee meeting, forums on major issues facing Washington’s business community, and D.C.’s great political parodists, the Capitol Steps. Register at www.policysummit.com. To register for the golf tournament or to become a sponsor, please contact AWB’s Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or AmyJ@awb.org.

2006 Redbook Is Coming Soon – Ready for Policy Summit
The 2006 edition of the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE) Redbook is currently at the printers. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) again contracted with AWB to produce the national version. Those attending the Policy Summit automatically receive it as part of their registration packet. For your copy, please contact Alexis Nepomuceno at AlexisN@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

State Auditor Brian Sonntag to Discuss Performance Audits on AWB Radio – Listen On-Air or Online!
State Auditor Brian Sonntag will join host Terry Corbell on Washington Business Weekly, Sept 15 at 11:00 am, to discuss the role his office plays with conducting performance audits on state agencies. Following the interview with Sonntag, Brink Lindsey from the Cato Institute will explain the problems with the so-called outsourcing theory. The show airs on KLAY AM 1180 in Lakewood and broadcasts over the web at www.awb.org shortly after the show’s completion.”

Contact Shawn Sullivan at ShawnS@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

Businesses and Individuals Aid Victims of Hurricane Katrina - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.