Tomorrow is Primary Day in Washington
Washington’s Aug. 19 Top 2 Primary is tomorrow, so now is a good time to find that mail-in ballot and cast your vote. Under the new guidelines, voters may vote for any candidate running for office and do NOT have to declare a party or select a single party’s ballot to vote in the primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes for each office advance to the general election in November. For more information on the candidates be sure to visit AWB’s new Elections ‘08 Web Site, where 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!

 

Dino Rossi candidate video added to AWB Web site
Former Sen. Dino Rossi’s video is now available for viewing on AWB’s Elections ‘08 Web Site. As part of our ongoing election coverage, you can also view the companion video from Gov. Chris Gregoire. Both candidates for governor were asked to respond to the same three questions on issues concerning the budget, climate change and unemployment insurance costs. More videos from other statewide candidates will be posted in the days and weeks leading up to the general election on November 4.

 

Cost of energy driving inflation to a 17-year high
Inflation is at a 17-year high according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ Economy Daily. The federal government says consumer prices rose 0.8 percent in July — twice the rate projected by economists —bringing the annual inflation rate to 5.6 percent. What is driving this staggering inflation? The cost of energy is up more than 29 percent from last year and food prices at up 6 percent overall. The Wall Street Journal believes slower inflation may already be on the way thanks to a combination of factors including a recent drop in oil prices and other commodities; a strengthening of the U.S. dollar, which lowers the price of imports; and continued weakness in the U.S. economy, which suggests the Federal Reserve policymakers are unlikely to raise interest rates. Read more at AWB’s Olympia Business Watch blog.  

Transportation Committee meeting on Aug. 26
The next meeting of the AWB Transportation Committee will be held Aug. 26 from 1-3 p.m. at AWB. The meeting is necessary to review and make a recommendation on Initiative 985 and to prepare our legislative proposals for the board of directors’ approval. For more information, please contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

 

Mark your calendar: Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on Aug. 26
AWB’s Climate Change Subcommittee will meet on Aug. 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at AWB. Jay Manning, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, and Juli Wilkerson, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, will discuss the Western Climate Initiative’s design recommendations for a cap and trade program; the Climate Action Team’s greenhouse gas emissions action items; the greenhouse gas emission reporting rule; and other climate-related efforts, including possible legislation for 2009. For more information, please contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

AWB to hold regional board meetings, legislative candidate interviews Sept. 3-18
Members of AWB’s Governmental Affairs staff will hold regional meetings and candidate interviews in Spokane, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Vancouver, Tacoma, Everett and Bellevue next month. Only candidate interviews will be conducted in Yakima, Olympia, Seattle, Mount Vernon, Gig Harbor and Puyallup. These regional events give AWB members an opportunity to participate in the formation of our 2009 Legislative Agenda and learn more about local legislative candidates. Click here to find the date and time for regional board meetings and legislative candidate interviews in your area. For more information, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 or BonnieM@awb.org.

 

States cutting health care spending to ease budget crunch
State governments across the country are responding to deepening budget holes by pulling back on planned spending, according to a recent blog post by WashACE’s Richard Davis. With health care costs claiming an increasing share of state spending, as WashACE pointed out in this recent report, health care programs inevitably come under deeper scrutiny during lean times. According to the Christian Science Monitor, California and New York are proposing Medicaid changes that would affect the eligibility of scores of people or decrease funding for doctors, hospitals, pharmacists dentists, and pharmacists. Meanwhile, budget woes are giving state employees in Georgia one unpaid day off a month and dominating electoral politics in Minnesota.

 

Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee meets Aug. 20
AWB’s Puget Sound Partnership Subcommittee will meet on 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, please contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

 

Gregoire, Rossi to debate at AWB’s 19th Annual Policy Summit
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 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.

 

Rulemaking on greenhouse gas emissions underway
The Washington Department of Ecology filed a pre-proposal to develop rules requiring the reporting of greenhouse gas 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 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. The Department of 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 will be held on Aug. 25 in SeaTac. For more information, please contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

What would YOU ask the candidates for governor? AWB needs your input!
Calling all AWB members! What would you ask the candidates for the state’s top elected offices? AWB needs your input for the candidate debates at Semiahmoo next month. Questions are needed for the debates for governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and lands commissioner. All questions must include the name, title and organization of the individual submitting the question. For more information, contact AWB’s Jocelyn McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or JocelynM@awb.org.

 

Learn how cap and trade schemes could cost YOU in the latest Washington Business magazine
Cap and trade schemes to reduce greenhouse gases could hit your pocketbook hard and severely damage the economy. The National Association of Manufacturers predicts U.S. economic output could fall by $670 billion by 2030 as power plants, manufacturers and other businesses deal with cap and trade requirements. Four million jobs could disappear and gas would sell for $8 per gallon. Meanwhile, there’s no guarantee that countries like China would abide by the same rules. What a deal! Read more in the latest issue of AWB’s Washington Business magazine.

 

AWB Energy Committee meeting on Aug. 27
The AWB Energy Committee will meet on 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.

 

Get a small business boost at Biz Fair 2008
Find small business help in a relaxed 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 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 www.bizfair.org.

 

AWB’s Annual Manufacturing Summit: What Washington makes, makes Washington
Join us on 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. 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 www.awb.org for more information.

 

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

 

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. Please click here for more information and to download a brochure and view the schedule of classes nearest to you. Contact Bob Meyer at Robert.Meyer@sedgwickcms.com for any additional questions.

 

 

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