Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business, offered the following statement recently
regarding the Boeing 777X announcement and pending special session of the Legislature:
“The Boeing 777X program has deep roots not only in the Puget Sound region but across the state of Washington, including the suppliers and other businesses that support the aerospace industry. They are central to our manufacturing base and factor into nearly every aspect of our economy, from trade to innovation to workforce development. We are encouraged by the efforts underway in Olympia to ensure Boeing remains an integral part of our Northwest economy for many years to come.
“The issues the Legislature will take up starting this Thursday are key for large employers like Boeing, but they also have direct impacts on medium and small businesses and every day citizens. A safe, reliable transportation system is essential to building strong communities and the movement of goods and services for businesses. Strengthening our workforce development efforts will also heighten our focus on education and ensuring graduates are prepared for successful careers. These are issues that benefit not only Boeing, but all of Washington state.
“We are, admittedly, disappointed that the issue of workers’ compensation is not a part of this special session. Workers’ compensation taxes figure prominently in our state’s competitiveness and we look forward to continuing the discussion of this critical business issue with our members and the Legislature.
“Right now, we are focusing on the effort to secure the Boeing 777X and the thousands of family-wage jobs it will mean to our state’s economy. This is good news for employers everywhere in Washington state.”
Brunell currently serves on Gov. Inslee’s 777X task force, a bipartisan group of legislators, labor and business officials working to secure the project for Washington state.
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 8,100 members representing 700,000 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.