Four Association of Washington Business (AWB) leaders met with President Bush in Seattle on Friday, August 22, to talk about ways to stimulate our economy, reduce unemployment and provide new jobs.Among the six business leaders were AWB Chair Heidi Stanley, executive vice president of Sterling Savings Bank, Spokane; AWB President Don Brunell, Olympia; AWB Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Creigh Agnew, vice president of Weyerhaeuser; and John Rindlaub, Wells Fargo Bank CEO for Washington.Joining President Bush were Washington Congressmen Doc Hastings and George Nethercutt and Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.

Healthy Forests Initiative

Prior to arriving in Washington, President Bush toured the central Oregon wildfires.He promoted his Healthy Forests Initiative which calls for thinning of forests and removing of brush to help stop large wild land fires.As part of that initiative, people would be put back to work in rural areas salvaging trees which are dead, diseased or burnt for sawmills.AWB supports the President’s approach.

Dam Breaching and Salmon Recovery

Then prior to arriving in Seattle, AWB Vice President Gary Chandler was part of the group meeting President Bush at Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River southeast of Pasco.During the President’s speech, he indicated he strongly opposes breaching of the Snake River Dams and wants to continue to improve the recovery of salmon runs on the Snake and Columbia river systems—positions AWB has long advocated.

President’s Concern - Job Loss and Unemployment

Shortly after President Bush landed at Boeing Field, he joined Dunn, Hastings and Nethercutt in a 45-minute meeting with the six state business leaders.The President indicated that while Washington is a beautiful state and an attractive place to live and raise a family, it has a bad rap when it comes to creating and maintaining jobs.He said one of the primary reasons for his trip and meeting with business leaders was to find a way to reduce unemployment and promote jobs.The President was keenly aware that our state continues to lead the nation in unemployment and in the loss of manufacturing jobs.Since July 2000, Washington lost one-in-five manufacturing jobs and that point was at the forefront of the President’s mind.He said he will do what he can in Washington, D.C., but leaders in our state must continue to work at the state and local levels to make Washington more competitive.

Energy

The President said emphatically that Congress needs to complete work on the energy bill and soon.He was aware of the 50 percent jump in Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) rates over the last two years and the pending additional five percent safety net rate increase. The President also knew that the once low cost electricity price advantage is rapidly disappearing.He asked about BPA, and we told him to look into BPA’s operations because we believe there are ways they can improve their operations and save money.Without BPA relief, many energy intensive industries in the Pacific Northwest may severely curtail their operations or close facilities.

Natural Gas and Energy Supplies

The President said he is very concerned about the lack of natural gas supplies in particular.The group urged him to continue to push Congress to approve exploration of additional gas fields and to bring new oil and natural gas supplies from Alaska's North Slope.The group praised him for his emphasis on alternative energy sources as well.

Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform

The President urged us to contact Senators Murray and Cantwell to get them to support medical malpractice, class action and asbestos lawsuit reform.He said the key is the United States Senate where Democrats threaten to filibuster tort reform bills, thus requiring 60 votes to end debate and bring the bills to the floor.The President said that unless senators like Murray and Cantwell will vote to end the filibusters, the bills will die.

Trade

The President said he is working hard for open and fair trade.His administration is working with countries like China to make sure the playing field is level and that American products have a chance to compete.The President also indicated that his administration is working hard to end the dispute over softwood lumber imports from Canada.

Ergonomics

The President said the voluntary ergonomics agreements and pilot programs in which his administration is involved are paying off.He indicated that his approach is working and that mandatory approaches such as those in Washington are the wrong way to go.

Health Care

President Bush said he will continue to push for prescription drug coverage for senior citizens and ways to reduce the overall costs of health care and health insurance.He is supportive of association health plans.AWB opposes national association health plans, but supports state association health plans such as those in Washington.

Corporate Governance

In his strongest statement, President Bush said those who violate the law ought to be put in jail.He believes the majority of business and corporate leaders are good citizens and are working on behalf of their shareholders.Those who are not should be punished, the President said.It is that simple!

Military Bases

President Bush said the Base Realignment & Closure or BRAC is moving forward and Washington state business leaders need to be involved.He knows the strategic importance of Washington’s military bases, but each state and community needs to make a strong and unified case for base retention.

Eastern Washington Farming

Along his opposition to breaching Snake and Columbia River dams, the President said there is a need to make sure there is sufficient water for irrigation.He spoke of the balance between fish recovery, electricity generation, irrigation water, water transportation and recreation.

Iraq

The President said life for the Iraqi people is getting better, and they are coming over to America’s side.He indicated that Iraq is becoming a magnet for terrorists from around the world who just want to disrupt freedom and the lives of people who lived previously under Saddam Hussein.He believes the tide is turning on the terrorists.

Final Note:The opportunity the six business leaders had to spend 45-minutes with President Bush was unique, unprecedented (at least for me) and rewarding.The President was well prepared and was an attentive listener.He made us feel at ease immediately, spoke with conviction, clarity and authority.While some will obviously disagree with him and his positions, there is no doubt in my mind, the President knows what he is doing, has a plan and cares deeply about America and his fellow citizens.Forgive the editorial license, but that’s the way it was on Friday, Aug. 22 in Seattle.

---Don Brunell