Candidate Interviews Start This Week – Members Should Participate
Any legislator with a voting record of 80 percent of higher has been automatically endorsed by AWB. Now we are interviewing candidates who either did not have a voting record of 80 percent or better or who are challengers. The candidate interviews start this week and run into September. You need to participate and give your input. The Government Affairs Council will take your input and make a recommendation to the Board on Sept. 22 on an additional list of candidates AWB should endorse. Coming up this week are candidate interviews in Mount Vernon (Aug. 23, 9–11 a.m.); Everett (Aug. 23, 2–4 p.m.); Gig Harbor (Aug. 25, 9–11 a.m.); and Tacoma (Aug. 25, 1–3 p.m.). Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Other Candidate Interviews Coming in August and September
Candidate interviews will be held in the Tri-Cities (Sept. 13, 11:30-2:30pm - lunch will be provided); Yakima (Sept. 13, 4-6 p.m.); Olympia (Sept. 14, 9-11 a.m.); and Puyallup (Sept. 14, 1-3 p.m.). Contact 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 AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Health Care Committee Meeting Aug. 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m.  – Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at MellaniM@awb.org 

Climate Change Subcommittee Meeting Aug. 24 – Legislation and Budget Request to Be Discussed
AWB’s Energy and Air Quality Committees joint subcommittee on climate change will meet Aug. 24 at AWB to hear from the Governor's Office and Ecology regarding the state’s current climate change efforts and what climate change legislation and budget requests are forthcoming next session. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

UI Care Committee Meeting Aug. 24, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Contact Mellani McAleenan at MellaniM@awb.org 

AWB Human Resources Council Meeting Aug. 30 – Sex Orientation and Disability Laws on Agenda
AWB’s Human Resources Council will meet Aug. 30, 1-3 p.m. (Davis Wright Tremaine, 1501 4th Ave, 26th Flr, Seattle). Marc Brenman, executive director of the Washington Human Rights Commission will discuss sexual orientation and disability laws. Legislative Objectives will also be discussed and approved. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

2006 Northwest Environmental Summit – Oct. 18-19, Tacoma – Register at www.envsummit.com 

AWB, U.S. Chamber Launch Elections Web Site—Important Election Year Tool                                                                                                                                      AWB has partnered with the U.S. Chamber to develop "WAVote.com." The Web site is linked to the U.S. Chamber's "Vote for Business" network to help employers and interested people who are suppliers, customers and associates learn about issues and candidates. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

AWB is Working Hard to End State Death Tax – We Need YOUR Help!
Initiative 920, which would repeal the state death tax, has been certified for November’s election. AWB believes it is wrong for death to be a taxable event. I-920 will protect small family-owned businesses and keep jobs in Washington. If your business has not taken a position and is interested in knowing more, we can provide background information, a sample resolution, or speak to your group on the importance of I-920. If your business has already taken a position in favor of I-920, we have prepared an endorsement form. Please fill it out and return it immediately to AWB. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

AWB Working on Energy Costs and Power Supply
AWB opposes I-937 because we believe it will drive electricity costs up for industry, business and residential ratepayers and will not supply the power we need in the future. AWB has consistently supported and promoted alternative energy, such as wind power, and has made progress in legislative sessions toward that goal. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.