AWB and NFIB Join Forces to Pass I-920 and End State Death Tax – We Need Your Help! 
AWB and NFIB have joined forces to pass I-920, the initiative repealing Washington’s estate tax. The tax was re-imposed by the 2005 Legislature to balance the budget after the state Supreme Court tossed it out. Carolyn Logue, NFIB state director, and Don Brunell, AWB president, are co-chairs on the Yes on I-920 Committee. AWB members need to get involved in this important campaign. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Washington Research Council Exposes Initiative 937’s Flaws
In its new brief “Initiative 937: Tilting Towards Windmills,” the Washington Research Council shows that hard mandates, like those in I-937, are not a wise way to introduce important new infrastructure. See http://researchcouncil.blogs.com/weblog/files/i_937_brief.pdf.

Puget Sound Partnership Meeting – Recommendations on Puget Sound by Nov. 15
AWB recently hosted a meeting with Puget Sound Partnership leaders to talk about our concerns regarding its “fast-track work” on the Puget Sound. AWB is coordinating the business community’s work on the governor’s plan to have a series of recommendations on the Sound ready by Nov. 15. Track this one at www.pugetsoundpartnership.org. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org, or AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.   

Register for the Regional Board Meetings in Early September—Give Us Your Two Cents Worth! They Start This Week!
AWB’s Regional Board meetings are being held in September so we can gather your input on issues before our Board meets on Sept. 22. Meetings are at Everett & SeaTac (Sept. 6); Vancouver (Sept. 7); Spokane (Sept. 11); Moses Lake (Sept. 12); and Tri-Cities (Sept. 13). The input you provide is essential for the Board. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org. 

Candidate Interviews Launched Last Week–Continue This Week.  You Need to Participate.
AWB is interviewing candidates who either did not have a voting record of 80 percent or better or who are challengers. We need your input! Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org. 

Dept. of Ecology Proposes E-Waste Fees for Manufacturers
To pay for its new electronics recycling program, Ecology has proposed a tiered fee schedule. Public comment is until Sept. 7. See www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

AWB Policy Summit Sponsors Needed - Call Now!
AWB’s Policy Summit will happen Sept. 20–22 at Semiahmoo. As a sponsor, your company receives acknowledgement before, during and following the event in marketing materials, signage and in Washington Business. In addition, you’ll attend a special reception for keynote speaker Weekly Standard editor William Kristol. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

2006 Northwest Environmental Summit – Register Now!
AWB, the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) and the Washington Dept. of Ecology will bring our state’s most comprehensive environmental conference to the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on Oct. 18-19. Register at www.envsummit.com. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Environmental Excellence Awards Coming in October – Deadline for Nominations: Sept. 15
AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards will be presented Oct. 19. Deadline for nominations: Sept. 15. For nomination forms, visit www.envsummit.com. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Small Business Regional Issue Forums – Coming September and October
The Washington Policy Center’s Fall 2006 Small Business Regional Issue Forums (Wenatchee – Sept. 21; Yakima – Oct. 11; Tri-Cities - Oct. 12; Everett – Oct. 17; Vancouver - Oct. 19; and Spokane - Oct. 26) are designed to educate small business owners about public policy. Contact Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org. 

State Auditor Brian Sonntag on Next Washington Business Weekly
State auditor Brian Sonntag will be on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11 a.m.-12 noon; Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 p.m., and online at www.awb.org.

Reduce Your Risk of Costly Fines and Penalties of Non-Compliance!
Learn all you need to know about OSHA at the OSHA 10-hour certification course, Sept. 13-14, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Standard fee is $149, but AWB CompWise members get a discounted fee of $119. Register online at www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Great Values With AWB’s Freight Program - SAVE 67 Percent or More On Your Next Freight Bill
You may now rollover your current discounts with some of the nation's best service freight carriers in the AWB freight program and receive a minimum 67 percent discount directly off these carriers' base rates for all LTL shipments. See www.awb.org/services/freightsavings.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Free Small Business Training at Sept. 9 Biz Fair in Renton 
The 10th annual Washington Small Business Fair (Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Renton Technical College) is a free, one-stop shopping event for new and existing business owners. See www.bizfair.org. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org. 

Offshore Drilling Ban Allows China to Steal U.S. Oil Reserves - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org

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