Democrats Win Big in Election ‘06 – For Full Election Coverage Visit www.awb.org  
The Democrats captured the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since 1994, by taking at least 28 Republican held seats, and the Senate for the first time since 2003, by taking six GOP held seats. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, is set to serve as speaker of the House in January; while Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, will take over as Senate majority leader. All of Washington’s congressional delegation survived. On the state level, Democrats solidified their control of the House, taking six GOP seats to make a 64-34 Democrat majority and in the Senate, taking eight Republican seats to make a 32-17 majority. Death tax repeal initiative I-920 and property rights initiative I-933 failed while I-937 (energy portfolio mandates) passed. In addition, Sen. Stephen Johnson, R-Kent, lost in his challenge against Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens.

AWB Files Brief in Important Trade Association Case
AWB has filed a brief asking the state Supreme Court to take up the appeal of the Manufactured Housing Communities of Washington trade association in a class action involving tenants of the association’s membership. The case asks whether plaintiffs may sue a trade association under the Consumer Protection Act when the association provided information and guidance to its members but the plaintiffs had no commercial relationship with the association itself. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org. 

Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree – our State’s Christmas Tree Coming in December – Please Help
The Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree Project, our state’s Christmas tree, is coming to our State Capitol Rotunda. It will be lit Dec. 1st at 6 p.m. 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.

Governor Gregoire to Meet With AWB’s Executive Committee
Gov. Gregoire will discuss the 2007 legislative session and the state’s competitiveness with the Executive Committee on Dec. 13.

Workforce Issue of Washington Business at Press

Heat Stress Rule Forthcoming! Ergonomics Rule Possible! Learn More on Nov. 16 at AWB!
L&I’s plans to develop a heat stress rule and the Supreme Court ruling on ergonomics will be discussed at the next AWB Workplace Safety Committee meeting (Nov. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m.). 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
The Water Resource Committee will meet Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m. at AWB. 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, 1-3 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 recent meetings with the governor’s office, CTED and Ecology and the draft Executive Order on climate change that is under development. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org or Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

L&I Meeting With Business Community – Dec. 15
Judy Schurke, interim L&I director, will meet with the business community on Dec. 15, 1-2:30 p.m. at L&I headquarters in Tumwater.

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.

Health Care on Next Washington Business Weekly  –  Listen Online at www.awb.org 
AWB’s Mellani McAleenan will discuss our health care 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. 

Emergency Planning & Disaster Management – Is Your Business Prepared?
Emergencies impose havoc on organizations. How you respond can determine whether the occurrence is an incident or a full-blown disaster. Attend our one-day seminar on January 31st to learn how to prepare and apply a survival plan for any type of disaster. For more information, please visit www.awb.org/events/seminars/emergencyplanning.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Dams Are the Northwest’s Flood Busters – See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org   

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