The Aug. 19 Top 2 Primary is just around the corner; now’s a good time to locate that mail-in ballot and cast your vote. Under the new primary guidelines, voters may choose among all candidates running for office and do NOT have to declare a party or select one party’s ballot to vote in the primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes for each office advance to the November General Election. Looking for more information on the candidates? Be sure to visit AWB’s new Elections ’08 Web site. There, you can find a complete list of AWB-endorsed candidates, information about the races for statewide offices and links to other election resources. Get informed and make your vote count.

 

 AWB’s regional board meetings are your chance to participate in the formation of our 2009 Legislative Agenda as well as interviews with legislative candidates from your district. Click here to identify the date and time for each regional board meeting and legislative candidate interviews Sept. 3-18. For more information, please contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

 This year, AWB is proud to launch a statewide candidate video series as part of our Elections ’08 Web Site. All candidates for statewide office have been asked to respond to three questions related to Washington's economy and business climate. The first candidate video on the site is from Gov. Chris Gregoire. This Thursday, we'll hear from gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.

 

 Gov. Chris Gregoire and former Sen. Dino Rossi will square off in a one-hour debate next month as part of AWB’s Policy Summit at Semiahmoo Sept. 24-26. The debate, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, will give AWB members an opportunity to hear first-hand from the candidates. Debates for other key elected positions, including superintendent of public instruction, attorney general and public lands commissioner are also scheduled. For a full agenda and to register, click here. To make room reservations, call Semiahmoo Resort at (800) 770-7992 and reference the AWB room block.

 

 Think it’s just conservatives and Republicans who oppose the unions’ attempt to kill secret ballot unionization elections? Think again! Former U.S. Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., the 1972 Democrat presidential nominee, penned an excellent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal in opposition to card check. Currently, union leaders can't get this legislation past President Bush, who would veto it, and can't muster the 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to stop a filibuster.As a result, the 2008 elections for union leaders are as much about getting 60 Democrats elected in the U.S. Senate to invoke cloture and block a filibuster of this measure as electing Barack Obama. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog.

 

 Check out AWB General Counsel Kris Tefft’s article on union neutrality in the new Washington Business magazine. Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision that struck down a California law prohibiting employers doing business with the state from communicating with employees about union organizing.

 

 The Washington Department of Ecology issued a draft chemical action plan (CAP) for lead. Among the recommendations aimed at reducing risks to human health and the environment associated with exposure to lead are a requirement for mandatory assessment and disclosure of lead-based paint, soil levels and lead in drinking water in pre-1960 rental homes. Ecology also recommends the development of new childcare standards, eliminating mixing zones, increased monitoring, manufacture product take-back programs and phasing out the use of lead in wheel weights, fishing tackle and ammunition. The public has until Oct. 6 to submit comments on the draft lead CAP. For more information, please contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

 It was a mixed bag this week for citizens in southwest Washington following the Columbia River Crossing project.. First, the good news. On Tuesday, President Bush issued an order elevating the I-5 improvements to "high priority" status, a rating extended to just 20 other projects in the last five years. The bad news? The Federal Highway Trust Fund, which provides a third of the funding states use for projects like the Columbia River Crossing, faces bankruptcy next year unless Congress acts this year to resolve the crisis. We need leadership now to ensure the future economic vitality of both states and the communities along the Columbia River. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog.

 

 AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 1-3 p.m. at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (335 116th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA). The committee will hear from Puget Sound Partnership staff including Action Agenda Director Martha Neuman, and Accountability and Budget Director Jim Cahill. Neuman will brief the committee and answer questions on the status of the Action Agenda and corresponding final Topic Papers (Water Quality, Water Quantity, Habitat and Land Use, Human Health/Well Being, and Species, Biodiversity and Food Web). Cahill will brief the committee and answer questions on the status of the PSP Finance Strategy Advisory Committee, which is considering new funding sources for PSP-related programs. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

 You could be eligible for a 2 percent interest rate reduction on your new or existing small business loan. The Veterans Linked Deposit Program, which began in July, is available to all veteran- and servicemember- owned businesses registered with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs’ Business Registry and the Federal VA VetBiz Registry.The Washington State Legislature authorized this program in order to expand access to business capital for veterans and service members. Learn more about the Registry or the Linked Deposit Program, including a list of participating lenders by calling (800) 562-0132 or visiting http://www.dva.wa.gov/. For more information, please contact AWB’s Mike Hudson at (360) 943-1600 at MikeH@awb.org.

 

 For more information, contact Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600 or DonnaS@awb.org.

 The AWB Land Use Committee will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m.-noon at Foster Pepper in Seattle. On the agenda: Adoption of the edited and updated AWB Land Use Policy Principles and further discussion and adoption of the AWB Land Use Agenda and our priorities for 2009-10. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

 The AWB Water Resources Committee will meet Monday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m.-noon at AWB.On the agenda: Editing and adoption of AWB Water Resource Policy Principles and discussion of AWB’s Water Resource legislative agenda for 2009-10. For more information, contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

 Last week, the Washington Department of Ecology filed a pre-proposal to develop rules requiring the reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The reporting rule is one of many implementation efforts underway related to climate change as a result of the passage of HB 2815 last session. Starting in 2010, owners or operators of stationary sources with emissions greater than 10,000 metric tons per year will have to report their GHG emissions and owners or operators of on-road vehicle fleets with emissions greater than 2,500 metric tons per year will also have to report. Ecology intends to issue a draft rule for public comment in April 2009 and adopt a final rule by August 2009. The first meeting of the GHG Reporting Rule Advisory Committee is Monday, Aug. 25 in SeaTac. For more information, contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

 The AWB Energy Committee will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 9-11 a.m. at AWB. Agenda items will include final discussion and adoption of AWB’s legislative agenda and Energy Legislative Objectives. For more information, contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

 Comments on the Western Climate Initiative’s (WCI) Draft Design of the Regional Cap and Trade Program are due Wednesday, Aug. 13. The cap and trade program will include all six of the recognized GHGs emitted from electricity generating facilities, industrial and commercial facilities, oil and gas emissions, residential, commercial and industrial fuel combustion and transportation fuels. The next Washington WCI stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 2-4 p.m. at Ecology headquarters in Lacey will focus on the draft cap and trade program design. Additionally, members can learn more about the WCI cap and trade program and other related climate change efforts in Washington at the next AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at AWB. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

 Find small business help in an easy atmosphere at the 12th Annual Washington Small Business Fair. This free event offers valuable information and counseling from business experts and staff from federal and state government agencies. Biz Fair 2008 takes place on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Renton Technical College. Get information and training in one day and one place from local business experts, trade organizations and government agencies about how to create or expand a small business and how to navigate taxes and other government requirements. Choose from more than 40 seminars taught by business professionals on a wide variety of topics, including Web site design, business law, financing, marketing, and business planning. Best of all, Biz Fair is free, with plenty of free parking and no advance registration. Stay for the entire event or come for part of the day. For seminar topics and driving directions, visit http://www.bizfair.org/.

 

 AWB’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Council will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 9:30 a.m.-noon at AWB. The Department of Revenue will present their draft legislative proposals for 2009 and discuss them in detail with our membership before proceeding further. Work will also continue on AWB’s policy objectives for 2009 and we’ll review the revised draft of the Manufacturing Sales and Use Tax Study. For more information, please contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

 

 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 on 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, please visit the Association of Washington Cities online.

 

 Join us Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center for a forum on manufacturing issues and ideas. Take part in developing the legislative, regulatory and economic agenda to help advance the interests and purpose of manufacturers in Washington state. Issue panels and discussions will include workforce training and development, tax and fiscal policy, economic development, health care, employment law and much more. Keep checking Upcoming Events at http://www.awb.org/ for more information.

 

 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. Or, contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.