VITALLY IMPORTANT: AWB calling for Congress to act on financial legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives failed to approve a financial rescue package today that would support our financial institutions, stemming the turmoil on Wall Street and sparing businesses on Main Street. AWB’s parent organization, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sent us the following urgent message asking for our support. Please help:

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.R. 3997, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, because Main Street and Wall Street rely on each other to survive. That is, whatever happens on Wall Street has a direct effect on what happens to small, medium and large-sized businesses across the country. If there is no liquidity in our financial markets, businesses will be unable to grow — plain and simple. A financial rescue package is imperative to our economy’s growth, and Congress needs to act now.

“We expect Congress to take up the bill again later this week (probably Thursday). Members of Congress have told us that they need to hear from businesses in their districts on this issue. Please contact your Member of Congress and urge them to support this crucial piece of legislation. I encourage you to either call him or her directly or click here.

“We also need to gather examples of how the current crisis is affecting businesses across the country. Please pass this e-mail along to your members and share with us any feedback you receive from them. Our experience is that we have the best results in Congress when we are able to share a local story.”

AWB announces endorsements for 2008 elections
At the conclusion of the 19th Annual Policy Summit Friday, AWB’s Board of Directors issued its 2008 electoral endorsements on two major ballot measures, candidates for statewide office and for legislative races. For the 2008 election, the AWB voted to endorse Dino Rossi for governor, Rob McKenna for attorney general, Terry Bergeson for superintendent of public instruction, and Doug Sutherland for commissioner of public lands. Click here for a full list of AWB’s endorsements.

Policy Summit candidate debates, featured speakers now available on TVW
Thanks to our broadcast partner, TVW, three of the debates from last week’s Policy Summit — along with keynote presentations by Ron Brownstein and our guest panelists on the local political climate — will be rebroadcast on TV and the Internet. For the complete viewing schedule, visit the TVW Web site.

Gavel passed to McRae as new chair
Jack McRae, senior vice president of Premera BlueCross, took the gavel ceremonially last Friday as the new chairman of the AWB Board of Directors. “I have known Jack for 30 years, and have no doubt that Jack will do a great job in this position,” said AWB President Don Brunell. McRae succeeds Brad Carlson, president of Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, Wash. McRae will assume his new duties as AWB chair in October.

Governor suspends Paid Family Leave program
During the gubernatorial debate last Thursday evening at AWB’s Policy Summit, Gov. Gregoire announced that she had directed the Employment Security Department to stop work on the state’s controversial paid family leave program, in effect suspending the program in the face of its Oct. 1, 2009, implementation deadline. Although this is a welcome announcement, it will take legislation to fully suspend the deadline.For more information go to Olympia Business Watch or contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

AWB presents Matson, Gjerde, Bruhn and Heavy Lifter awards
AWB took time to honor business leaders during last week’s Policy Summit, as well. AWB presented its Jim Matson Award for current or former legislators who consistently support issues important to Washington’s employer community to former state Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Sammamish; the S. Fred Bruhn Award for individuals who serve with distinction on AWB’s Board of Directors to former Weyerhaeuser executive Creigh Agnew; and the Ron Gjerde Award honoring the year's top business lobbyist to Nancee Wildermuth. AWB also presented its Heavy Lifter Award in recognition of AWB members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping AWB promote business-friendly legislation in Olympia. They include: Douglas E. Smith of Littler Mendelson PC in Seattle; Patrick M. Madden of K&L Gates in Seattle; Judy Coovert of Printcom Inc. in Burien; Susan Fagan of Schweitzer Engineering Labs Inc. in Pullman; Joe Zedalis of the National Association of Independent Financial Advisors in Bellevue; Samuel Anderson of Master Builders Association in Bellevue; Bill Dewey of Taylor Shellfish Co. Inc. in Shelton; George A. Kresovich of Hillis, Clark, Martin & Peterson in Seattle; Donald E. Marcy of Cairncross & Hempelmann in Seattle; Tim Boyd of The TSB Group in Olympia; and Collins Sprague of Avista in Olympia. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

AWB files friend-of-the-court brief in Supreme Court workers’ comp case
Earlier today, AWB filed a friend-of-the-court brief jointly with the Washington Self-Insurers Association urging the Washington State Supreme Court to hear Tobin v. Dept. of Labor & Industries.Tobin deals with the ability of L&I or a self-insured employer to obtain reimbursement for benefits paid when a worker’s injury is the fault of a third party. A Court of Appeals decision severely limited the ability of L&I and employers to keep costs down by collecting from third parties, contrary to the intent of the Legislature. AWB and WSIA are asking the Supreme Court to hear L&I’s appeal and reverse the lower court.For more information or for a copy of the brief, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

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 is out 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.

President Bush Signs ADA Amendments Act
On Sept. 25, President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act, a bipartisan bill supported by the business community (including AWB) and disability rights advocates to update civil rights protections for disabled individuals. The new amendments go into effect Jan. 1, 2009.The ADA applies to employers of more than 15 employees and protects disabled individuals from discrimination in, among other things, employment.The ADA Amendments Act brings Washington state and federal law closer together, as Washington has had broader disability rights protections on the books for some time.For more information, contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600.

Get informed about Washington’s social tax provisions
As business continues looking at options for resolving the unemployment insurance conformity issue in Washington, the Employment Security Department will provide AWB with an overview of the current social tax provisions in the state. The department’s presentation will be Oct. 16, 1-3 p.m. at AWB. For more information, contact AWB’s Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600.

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.

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!

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, 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. 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. 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, 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.

Tree Farming Cuts Greenhouse Gases and Creates Green Jobs - See this week's President's Perspective at http://www.awb.org