Be Sure to Vote Tomorrow!!
Many of you are already voting by mail. Every vote counts. Remember the closeness of our last gubernatorial election. Before you vote, consider AWB’s candidate endorsements and our 2006 legislative voting records. These useful guides are at www.awb.org.

Don’t Vote Without Checking AWB’s Endorsements and Legislative Voting Records at www.awb.org!

L&I Announces “Rate Holiday” to Address Excess Workers’ Comp Reserves
L&I has announced a “rate holiday” for workers’ compensation in 2007 in order to draw down reserves. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Who Controls Congress Counts
Washington’s three Republicans earned the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence based on NAM’s voting record for the 109th Congress. Here is how Washington’s delegation voted: 100 percent: McMorris and Hastings; 87 percent: Reichert; 38 percent: Larsen; 29 percent: Baird and Smith; 26 percent: Murray, Cantwell, and Dicks; 17 percent: Inslee; and 4 percent: McDermott.  

Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree Coming in December – Please Donate Now
The Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree, our state’s Christmas Tree, is coming to our state Capitol. In the last 17 years, AWB members have raised over a quarter million dollars for rural fire departments through this project. To donate, contact AWB’s Don Brunell at (360) 943-1600 or DonB@awb.org.

Call Jim McDermott “Mr. Chairman?”
From The Seattle Times: “Rep. Jim McDermott, Washington's most liberal congressman, is called courageous by his fans and an embarrassment bordering on irrelevant by his detractors. Next month, both camps may be calling him Mr. Chairman. If Democrats win control of the House, McDermott could become an important politician. He'd get a subcommittee chairmanship on the House Ways and Means Committee, a platform he says he'd use to push for universal health care coverage and alternative energy.”  What about Norm Dicks, Jay Inslee, Brian Baird and Adam Smith? Read more at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2003328907&slug=whatif29m&date=20061029.

Transportation Committee Meeting, 10–12 p.m., Nov. 15 at AWB – Contact Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org 

Heat Stress Rule Forthcoming! Ergonomics Rule Possible! Learn More on Nov. 16 at AWB!
L&I will begin developing a heat stress rule this month and intends to adopt the rule by next summer. Steve Cant, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Safety & Health Services will attend the next AWB Workplace Safety Committee meeting (Nov. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m.) to provide more details and answer questions. He will also discuss a recent Washington Supreme Court ruling regarding ergonomics and whether the department intends to adopt an ergonomics rule. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Reclaimed Water Rulemaking to Be Discussed at Next Water Resource Committee Meeting – Nov. 20
AWB’s Water Resource Committee will meet on Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m. at AWB. Katharine Cupps, Ecology’s Reclaimed Water lead, will discuss the Reclaimed Water Rulemaking process following passage of ESHB 2884 last session. We will also review legislative proposals for the 2007 session. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

AWB’s Education Committee Meeting Nov. 29 – “Washington Learns” Report to Be Discussed
The Education Committee will meet Nov. 29, 1 p.m. at Pacific Public Affairs, 1403 3rd Ave, Ste. 300, Seattle. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org. 

L&I Offering Workshops for Business
L&I is offering 90-minute workshops on accident prevention for Small Business and Workers’ Compensation 101 in November and December. The workshops are free. Learn more at www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Workshops/Available/default.asp.   

Health Care Committee Meeting, Dec. 1 – Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org 

Climate Change Subcommittee Meeting – Dec. 4
AWB’s Climate Change Subcommittee will meet Dec. 4, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at AWB. We will review and discuss our meeting with the governor’s Chief of Staff Tom Fitzsimmons and discuss how to proceed. A meeting agenda will be forthcoming. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org, or contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

L&I Meeting With Business Community – Dec. 15
Judy Schurke, interim L&I director, has asked that the business community meet with her prior to the holidays and legislative session, in the form of the quarterly business meetings that were suspended during the summer legislative process. The meeting will be on Dec. 15, 1-2:30 p.m. at L&I headquarters, Tumwater. This is an important opportunity to share concerns going into the session.

Learn More About Korea-Taiwan Trade Mission at TVW
AWB’s Don Brunell and Gov. Christine Gregoire comment on the recent Korea-Taiwan trade mission at www.tvw.org/MediaPlayer/Archived/WME.cfm?EVNum=2006100153&TYPE=V. Note: Fast forward approximately two minutes into the video and you will reach the section with Don and the governor’s comments.

Better Workplace Awards – Send Nominations by Jan. 5
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies with exemplary records in workplace safety, job training and advancement programs, and innovative benefit/compensation programs. Submit nominations by Jan. 5 to www.awb.org/services/awards/bwa/index.asp. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

2007 Northwest Environmental Summit – Planning Starts in January
Help plan the Northwest’s premier summit on environmental issues! Committee meetings will begin in January. Interested in serving on the conference steering committee? Contact AWB’s Jennifer Davis at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferD@awb.org.

Creating an Employee Handbook - What You Need To Know to Keep You Compliant
The Creating an Employee Handbook Seminar will be on Nov. 7 at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle. Registration: 8-8:30 a.m.  Seminar: 8:30 a.m.-12 noon. Register at www.awb.org/events/seminars/employeehandbook.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

How to Set Up an IT System on Next Washington Business Weekly Online at www.awb.org 
We will discuss setting up an IT system and go over AWB’s legislative objectives on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11 a.m.-12 noon and on Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 p.m. 

2006 Salary & Benefits Info Available – Call (800) 300-9570 or Visit www.compdatasurveys.com   

Special Korea and Taiwan Trade Mission Report Now Available
AWB President Don Brunell put together a special report on the governor’s trade mission to Korea and Taiwan which will give you useful tips on how to do business in those two countries. Contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

North Korea Proves Economic Freedom and Personal Freedom Go Hand in Hand – See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org   

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