2007 Northwest Environmental Summit, Oct. 17-18—Last chance to register for this great event!
AWB, the Northwest Environmental Business Council and the Washington State Department of Ecology will bring the Northwest’s most comprehensive environmental conference to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center Oct. 17-18. Learn from 24 informative sessions, discover a vast display of new environmental services and technologies in our trade show area, and hear from our keynote speaker, Bill Shireman, president and CEO of Future 500. For more information or to register, go to www.envsummit.com, or contact AWB’s J-Anne Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or JAnneN@awb.org.

Attention Snohomish County members: Oct. 23 public hearing on climate change and sustainability
On the heels of County Executive Aaron Reardon’s executive order on climate change adopted last July, which directs the county to minimize community greenhouse gas emissions and plan for adaptation to the effects of climate change, the Snohomish County Council has developed draft policies on climate change and sustainability. The Snohomish County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the draft policies for Oct. 23 in Everett. The Council is accepting public comments on the document up to that time. The proposal includes two new goals and four new objectives for the Natural Environment chapter of the county’s Growth Management Act Comprehensive Plan. For more information contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Be sure to check out AWB-TV! Latest video: Discussion on climate change
AWB is now broadcasting original videos on YouTube! These videos give background on AWB and provide insight on legislation and issues that matter to Washington’s businesses. In our most recent video, Richard Davis hosts an interesting discussion on climate change. Watch it at www.youtube.com/user/AWBorg.

Attention retailers: Destination-based sales tax workshop coming to a location near you
On July 1, 2008, Washington will change the way retailers who deliver goods to customers within Washington state collect sales tax. At a free, two-hour workshop presented by the Washington State Department of Revenue, you’ll learn about destination-based sales tax and how it will affect the sales tax rate you charge your customers. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions and receive an information packet. Topics to be discussed include: The national Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, why it was adopted and how it will change the way you do business, who is affected by the change, and business assistance available to help you make the change. Get more information or register by going to http://dor.wa.gov and clicking on “Workshops and Education” or by calling (800) 647-7706. Hurry, because seating is limited. All workshops run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dates and locations: Oct. 24, Kennewick; Oct. 30, Tukwila; Nov. 6, Yakima; Dec. 5, Olympia.

Don’t miss Olympia Business Watch
Olympia Business Watch is AWB’s blog reviewing the news and events shaping business and politics. Some of the recent posts by AWB’s Communications and Government Affairs staff are: More Choice and Competition Means Better and More Affordable Health Care; R-67: Allstate Verdict Busts Insurance Fraud Myth; Socialized Medicine Fails Mothers and Infants; and Too Much Health Insurance, Not Too Little, is the Problem. To see these and other posts, check out Olympia Business Watch at www.olympiabusinesswatch.com.

Workers’ Compensation Coalition meeting cancelled
The Workers’ Compensation Coalition meeting, previously set for Oct. 30 at AWB, has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. The next coalition meeting will take place on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AWB. We’ll provide snacks during the lunch hour. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or disruption this rescheduling creates. As always, we will have call-in available, please contact Shannon Garland at ShannonG@awb.org for the number. For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

L&I forming Safety and Health Investment Projects Advisory Committee
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is forming an advisory committee for its safety and health investment projects. This is the new system that will be providing grant money to promising initiatives suggested by the business and labor communities. Members representing a state-plan-covered employer (not self-insured) interested in serving on the advisory committee should contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org by Oct. 26.

Joint Education and Workforce Training Committees meet Oct. 30
AWB’s Board of Directors recently revised its legislative objectives for education and workforce training with an emphasis on vocational education and basic skills from the K-12 system for workforce and college readiness. We will hold a special meeting to address these issues as a joint effort between the AWB Education and Workforce Training Committees. Attending will be John Aultman of the Career and College Readiness Division of OSPI, and David Harrison, chairman of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
The meeting will be held on Oct. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org or Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

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