Doumit Leaving Senate – Will Join WFPA, Nov. 1
Sen. Mark Doumit, D-Cathlamet, will resign Nov. 1 from the Legislature. He will become director of the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA). Democrats from Doumit’s district will appoint his successor.

AWB Vice President of Communications Lex Nepomuceno Will Leave AWB, Dec. 1
Starting on Dec. 1, Lex Nepomuceno, AWB’s vice president for communications, is leaving AWB to become chief marketing and information officer for Garlic Jim’s Famous Gourmet Pizza. We will miss Lex at AWB and wish him the best. He has developed our Web site and Web technology, and also put together the deal which brought AWB Washington Business magazine.

Remember - October 16 is Deadline for Campaign Contributions in Excess of $5,000.

Help Inter the Death Tax Permanently – Support Initiative 920
The Yes on 920 Committee is fighting hard to pass I-920 and end the state death tax. We need financial support today. See www.yeson920.com. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 870-2915 or AmberC@awb.org.

NO to Government Energy Mandates and Higher Power Bills – Help Us Defeat Initiative 937!
I-937 would raise our power bills between $185 and $370 million. Please help by contributing to the No on I-937 campaign and filling out a “NO” endorsement form. Visit www.nooni-937.com. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Brunell Elected Chair of Council of State Chambers of Commerce
AWB President Don Brunell has been elected chairman of the Council of State Chambers of Commerce (COSC). He will serve in that position for 2007 and 2008. COSC is the association of state chamber of commerce executives in the United States.  Brunell also served as chairman of the National Industrial Council of the National Association of Manufacturers from 2000 to 2001.

Ecology’s Jay Manning at Next Environmental Affairs Council Meeting
AWB’s Environmental Affairs Council will meet on Oct. 10, 2–4 p.m. at AWB. We will discuss the Puget Sound Partnership. Ecology Director Jay Manning will attend. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Research Council Looks at Vashon-Maury PUD Proposal
Read the Research Council’s brief on the proposal to create a Vashon-Maury PUD, which will be on the November ballot, at http://researchcouncil.blogs.com/weblog/files/vashon_pud_brief.pdf.   

Multiyear PBT Chemical Action Plan Proposed
Under a proposed rule by Ecology, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and perfluorooctane sulfonates will be selected for state action during the next three years. AWB’s PBT Workgroup will meet Oct. 17 to discuss the proposed rule and development of comments due Nov. 20. See the rule at www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0607025.html. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Who Controls Congress Counts  
Washington’s GOP members of Congress earned NAM’s Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence, which is given to members of Congress who have earned NAM’s 70 percent or higher rating on key manufacturing votes.  Here is how Washington’s delegation voted: 100 percent: Cathy McMorris and Doc Hastings; 87 percent: Dave Reichert; 38 percent: Rick Larsen; 29 percent: Brian Baird and Adam Smith; 26 percent: Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and Norm Dicks; 17 percent: Jay Inslee; and 4 percent: Jim McDermott.

2006 Northwest Environmental Summit Coming Soon – Register Now!
Our state’s most comprehensive environmental conference is coming to the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on Oct. 18-19. Famed mountain climber Jim Whitaker will speak. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Pilot Project Will Allow Workers’ Comp Claims to be Filed Through Employers
L&I is looking for employers to participate in a new project that allows workers’ comp claims to be filed through the employer. The program begins Jan. 1. AWB supports this effort and urges all employers with claims to at least consider participating. To find out more about the program or to enroll visit:  www.employerreporting.LNI.wa.gov. Contact Shirley Morris at (360) 902-6201.

Creating an Employee Handbook - What You Need To Know to Keep You Compliant
The Creating an Employee Handbook Seminar (Nov. 7, Renaissance Seattle Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle, Registration: 8-8:30 a.m.  Seminar: 8:30 a.m.-12 noon.) will offer helpful advice on deciding what to put in your employee handbook to maximize your communication with your employees and minimize your liability. Register at www.awb.org/events/seminars/employeehandbook.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Brunell Heading to South Korea and Taiwan on Governor’s Trade Mission
AWB President Don Brunell leaves Friday on Governor Gregoire’s trade mission to South Korea and Taiwan.  “They are two of our state’s largest trading partners, and I’m hopeful that we can make some new contacts to sell Washington goods and services, especially for small business,” Brunell commented.

Northwest Environmental Summit Preview on Next Washington Business Weekly Online at www.awb.org 
We will preview the Northwest Environmental Summit on and discuss how to calculate your business taxes 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.  

U.S. Manufacturers Face a Global Crisis – See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org   

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