Debates headline AWB’s 19th Annual Policy Summit this week
Debates with the candidates for governor and three other statewide offices are headlining this year’s Policy Summit later this week at Semiahmoo. Gov. Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi will meet onstage in the Semiahmoo Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening for a discussion of issues and ideals critical to Washington state. In addition to the debates, the AWB Board will make its endorsements in the fall election, and the association will present its Matson, Heavy Lifter, Gjerde and Bruhn awards. We’ll be blogging live from the resort this week and adding podcasts throughout the summit. Stay tuned to http://www.awb.org/ for the latest from this big event!

Questions still needed for Policy Summit!
There’s still time to submit that burning question you’ve been meaning to ask the candidates! Questions are particularly needed for the debates for attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and lands commissioner. All questions must include the name, title and organization of the individual submitting the question. Send your questions for the debate to AWB’s Jocelyn McCabe. The debates will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday with the candidates for public lands commissioner. For a complete line up of the day’s events, click here.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration for Policy Summit is now full!
To be placed on a waiting list, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

Creigh H. Agnew wins S. Fred Bruhn Award
Creigh H. Agnew, retired Weyerhaeuser vice president, will be honored with the S. Fred Bruhn Award later this week at the AWB Policy Summit at Semiahmoo. Agnew will be recognized for her service on AWB’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee and as chair of AWB’s Governmental Affairs Council. The coveted Bruhn Award recognizes board members who give of themselves and their time to improve AWB and Washington’s business climate.“Creigh is not only one of state’s most distinguished and accomplished leaders, but she is a genuinely nice person who cares about people and those she associates with,” said AWB President Don C. Brunell. “She is most deserving and our committee of past recipients made an excellent selection.”

Feedback needed on amended fish and wildlife program
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council has issued its revised fish and wildlife program for public comment and is holding public meetings throughout the region over the next several weeks.Program costs are increasing dramatically as a result of the new salmon plan issued by NOAA Fisheries and settlement agreements reached by Bonneville Power with some states and tribes in hydrosystem litigation. While the agreements will help in litigation before Judge Redden, and many of the projects may well benefit fish, we need to encourage the council to “hold the line” and ensure rigorous science review of proposed projects. It is important and helpful that the council hear from as many people as possible during the public comment period as they will be hearing from others in the region. Send written comments on the program to the council. If you wish to attend a meeting, contact Kay Gabriel at (206) 329-5961.

Growth Management Hearings Boards need your input
The Growth Management Hearings Boards (GMHBs) are seeking stakeholder input on possible legislation for next year. Each of three GMHBs includes three voting members. In the event one of the three board members is ineligible or unavailable to serve, this proposal would modify existing law to authorize a “visiting” member from another hearings board to sit with the other two members to hear petitions. Send all comments no later than Tuesday, Sept. 23 to AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600.

AWB’s Elections Web site adds more candidates to its online library
AWB continues to add to its candidate video library for the 2008 elections. This week, you can review comments by Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland, State Auditor Brian Sonntag, Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson and her challenger, Randy Dorn.

Register to vote by Oct. 4 and cast your ballot by Nov. 4!
Remember the 2000 election where it came down to a few hundred votes in Florida and then the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide that George Bush won the presidency? Remember the three — count them — THREE recounts in the Washington governor’s election before Chris Gregoire was declared the winner? Now think about how important your vote is! The presidential election will be predictably close this year and the 2008 gubernatorial election in Washington is a rematch between Gregoire and Dino Rossi. Register to vote by Oct. 4. For more information, go to the Secretary of State’s office. Whatever you do, vote this year!

Watch your mailboxes for AWB’s 2008 election preview in Washington Business magazine
Get AWB’s take on the 2008 presidential and statewide elections. Our September/October issue will be out later this week with an array of stories on this fall’s big races and election issues. Not receiving the magazine? Contact J-Anne Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 to request a copy.

Gulf of Mexico oil production disrupted, but no blowouts or spills
Good news from the Gulf of Mexico: The American Petroleum Institute (API) released an assessment of the impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike which pounded the Gulf Coast.As with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there were no industry lives lost, no blowouts and no oil spills even though those massive storms shut down 25 percent of our nation's oil supply and 15 percent of our natural gas.The areas impacted by both 2008 hurricanes houses 46 percent of U.S. refining capacity, which is slowly coming back on line.API credits the industry with an advanced emergency preparedness program including sophisticated redundant communions systems, continuous emergency response updates and drills, and, prearranging supplies to respond quickly to disasters. Read more on AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog.

Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on Sept. 29
The next AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meeting will be Monday, Sept. 29 in the AWB large conference room from 10 a.m. - noon. The main item on the agenda will be to hear from the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Janice Adair and Matt Steuerwalt from the governor’s office regarding the Western Climate Initiative’s final design of the regional cap and trade program (scheduled for release tomorrow,Sept. 23). The committee will also discuss the outcomes of the Sept. 18-19 Climate Action Team meeting and the greenhouse gas reduction recommendations advanced by the Implementation Working Groups. For more information, contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.

AWB member needed to represent agriculture on WISHA Advisory Committee
AWB is searching for a member to represent agriculture industry issues on the WISHA Advisory Committee. The Department of Labor & Industries administers WISHA, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, which passed in 1973. The WISHA Advisory Committee, formed in 1997, has four representatives from labor and four representatives from business. The committee discusses, debates and advises the department on issues addressing workplace safety. The next quarterly meeting of the WISHA Advisory Committee is Wednesday, Nov. 12. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.

September is National Disaster Preparedness and Weather Radio Awareness Month in Washington
Special events and promotions are on the calendar for the month of September across Washington to observe National Disaster Preparedness and Weather Radio Awareness Month. Special materials, including drill instructions for the Sept. 24 statewide Drop, Cover and Hold earthquake drill and 72-hour comfort kit fact sheets are available online from the Washington Emergency Management Division. Several NOAA weather radio sale events will be held at retail stores in Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Clallam counties. For more information, contact Rosanne Garrand, EMD public education program coordinator, at (253) 512-7419.

OSHA 10-hour certification course
Get current on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held Oct. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Tacoma. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Click here for additional information and to register. For more information, please contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

Applications now being accepted for Don Brunell Scholarship
AWB members with children or grandchildren in college or planning to attend college in 2009 are encouraged to apply for the 2009 Don Brunell Scholarship for Future Business Leaders. The AWB Board established the scholarship, funded by AWB members in honor of Don to inspire and aid Washington’s future business leaders. Recipients may receive up to $2,000. The scholarship targets undergraduate, graduate or career/vocational students currently pursuing or who intend to pursue a course of education that will lead to a degree or certification in business from any public or private university, community or technical college or private career school. In 2008, AWB awarded four scholarships for a total of $2,500.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2009 school year is Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. Scholarships will be announced and awarded on or about Jan. 15, 2009. For complete details on eligibility, application packet and instructions to complete the application, please contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600.

Healthy Worksite Summit
As the direct and indirect costs of poor employee health continue to grow, employers must develop strategies and utilize tools to reverse this trend. The 22nd Annual Healthy Worksite Summit will help your organization develop new programs, revitalize an existing program and share best practices that will motivate and sustain a healthy and productive work environment. The summit is set for Oct. 1-2 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and on Oct. 3 at the Deaconess Health and Education Center in Spokane. For more information, visit the Association of Washington Cities online.

Improve your knowledge and skills in the field of safety
AWB and Sedgwick CMS have jointed together to sponsor a Safety Academy for all AWB members at no charge. This program offers an opportunity for you to obtain Certified Safety Coordinator status upon completion of seven required classes and five electives. Click here for more information and to download a brochure and view the schedule of classes nearest to you. Or, contact Bob Meyer with any additional questions.

Remain competitive with current compensation data
In today’s changing economy, HR professionals face the challenge of cutting costs while still retaining their best employees. That’s why AWB has partnered with Compdata Surveys to offer Compensation Data - Pacific Northwest, the largest pay and benefits survey in the region. This resource includes data on benefits, pay practices and salaries for more than 600 job titles.

Significant savings are available when you order a two-year subscription! Receive the 2008 results now for $489 and the 2009 results next summer for only $349. Note: Participation in the 2009 survey is required. As a member of AWB, you’ll also receive an additional $20 off your order. To order the Compensation Data - Pacific Northwest survey results, contact Compdata Surveys at (800) 300-9570. Mention the promo code AWB to receive your full discount.


Legislature Should Fix Renewable Energy Law to Protect Washington Ratepayers- See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org