Governor Vetoes AWB-Supported Environmental Cleanup Measure – Bill Will Be Brought Back in 2007
AWB supported SSB 6781, which was passed by the Legislature and would have provided a sales and use tax exemption and a reduced B&O tax rate of 0.471 percent for environmental remedial action.  Unfortunately, Gov. Gregoire vetoed this fine bill because she didn’t like its funding mechanisms. AWB is very disappointed over the governor’s action but is very pleased that the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, has indicated that she will work with us to bring back the bill next year so it can be passed in a form that is acceptable to the governor. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Murray to Run for Senate in 43rd District – Incumbent Thibaudeau Won’t Step Aside
It looks like there will be an interesting Democratic primary battle for the Senate seat in Seattle’s 43rd Legislative District. Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the powerful chairman of the House Transportation Committee, has announced that he will challenge incumbent Sen. Pat Thibaudeau, D-Seattle, for the district’s lone Senate seat. Thibaudeau, however, is not going to step aside and will defend her seat against Murray in the primary. So far, no candidates have announced that they will run for the House seat Murray is vacating.  Stay tuned…

AWB’s Brunell to Meet With Gov. Gregoire
On April 7, AWB President Don Brunell will meet one-on-one with Gov. Gregoire. He intends to bring up the issue of confidentiality of employer information.  If you have items for him to discuss with her, please e-mail them to DonB@awb.org. 

New WashACE Brief on Importance of Education
The Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy has released a policy brief on the economic value of education titled, "On the Importance of Being Educated." Read the brief at www.awb.org/otherissues/education/Washace_Education_and_Earnings0306.pdf.

AWB Member Annual Poll Coming to Your E-mail Address  
We have the annual membership poll ready for your input.  Moore Information will be sending you the poll this week and will have the results back to us in time for our Executive Committee planning retreat in mid-April.  Please take a minute to complete the poll.  It helps us do a better job for you.

Focus on L&I’s Small Business Liaison and Death Taxes on Next Washington Business Weekly
L&I’s small business liaison and the problems associated with federal and state death taxes will be discussed on the next Washington Business Weekly, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM and at www.awb.org. Please let us know if you have any ideas for guests or topics. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno ay (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org

Washington Business Magazine is at the Press 
The April issue of Washington Business is on the press and should be to your mailbox either late this week or early next week.  It focuses on energy, but that is not all.  There is Q&A with Boeing Commercial President Alan Mulally, a profile of West Coast Paper’s Fred Stabbert, an update on the ski industry, celebrating 100 years with Wilbert Precast in Spokane, an informative piece on Washington’s heat-stress regulations, and the town with the big egg.  It is a great magazine, and we are proud of it. 

Pandemic Flu Conference, April 14, Tacoma – AWB Members Urged to Attend
A major upcoming summit focusing on the pandemic flu threat will be held on April 14 at the Tacoma Trade & Convention Center. Contact Gail Zimmerman at (360) 236-4087 or Gail.Zimmerman@doh.wa.gov to register.

Nominations Open for Manufacturer of the Year Award – Forms Available Online
To nominate a company for AWB’s annual Manufacturer of the Year Award, you may get the nomination form at www.awb.org/about/awards/MOYNomination2006.pdf. Contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 or MikeH@awb.org.

Have Your Company’s Contribution to Community Service Recognized!
AWB’s Community Service Awards will be presented at a special dinner held in conjunction with AWB’s annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 23. Submit your applications before Friday, April 21 at www.awb.org/about/awards/06CSNomForm.pdf. Contact Alisha Boggs at (360) 943-1600 or AlishaB@awb.org.

GSA Seeks More Comment on Attracting Midsized Businesses to Alliant Procurement System
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has extended through the end of the month the deadline for comments on how the agency can define and attract medium-sized businesses to its long-awaited Alliant IT services procurement vehicle. Alliant is a 10-year, two-part contract that will let all government agencies buy IT solutions and complex integration services and replace the expiring Millennia and Applications and Support for Widely Diverse End-User Requirements contracts for government-wide IT services. The contract consists of a $50 billion full and open procurement, which is geared toward large IT companies and systems integrators, and $15 billion Alliant Small Business procurement. For more information, visit www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?P=XI&contentId=18134&contentType=GSA_BASIC or http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=8199&channelPage=%252Fep%252Fchannel%252FgsaOverview.jsp&channelId=-13266.

Flying Friendly Skies in the Future - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org.

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