OLYMPIA — The Association of Washington Business will host its annual Legislative Day in Olympia this Wednesday, Feb. 3 at the Red Lion Hotel. This meeting is open to AWB members statewide, representing small, medium and large businesses.  Legislators have been invited to participate in a series of issue panels that day on topics ranging from the budget to labor and workforce, health care and environmental issues.

At noon, Attorney General Rob McKenna will be the featured luncheon speaker and help distribute 18 Better Workplace Awards to Washington employers. These awards celebrate businesses for their innovative benefit and compensation programs, job training and advancement initiatives and commitments to workplace safety.   

The day will conclude with a reception for AWB members, legislators and elected officials.

 

AGENDA

           WHEN:           Wednesday, Feb. 3
                                   

DAY-AT-A-GLANCE

            8:30 a.m.:        AWB Board Meeting (closed to the public)

            10 a.m.:           Budget and Tax Panel
                                       Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue
                                       Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia
                                       Victor Moore, Budget Director, Office of the Governor

           Noon:               Better Workplace Awards
                                       Guest Speaker: Attorney General Rob McKenna

           1:30 p.m.:         Labor and Workforce Panel
                                       Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee
                                       Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma

           2:30 p.m.:         Health Care Panel
                                       Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley
                                       Rep. John Driscoll, D-Spokane
                                       Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale

           3:30 p.m.:         Environmental Issues Panel
                                       Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland
                                       Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip
                                       Tony Usibelli, Assistant Director, Energy Policy Division,
                                                          Department of Commerce

           5-8 p.m.:           Legislative Reception
            

About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 6,800 members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.