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Statement from Rep. Richard
DeBolt on today’s Boeing announcement that it will locate its second 7E7
Dreamliner manufacturing plant in South Carolina
“Today’s announcement by Boeing was extremely
disappointing, however it was news that came with ample warning to
leaders who had the chance to affect a different outcome. The challenges
that Boeing and other businesses in our state face to remain competitive
are well documented. Regulatory excess, taxes, permitting and labor
costs are all factors that are making it difficult for employers in our
state to keep people working.
“Frankly, the track record of
lawmakers to respond to these challenges has been poor. During the 2009
legislative session, when given an opportunity to fix our state’s
unemployment insurance system and bring it into compliance with federal
law, the Legislature nearly jeopardized a bipartisan bill by injecting
the poison of politics into the negotiations. The message this sends to
prospective employers is if you want to do business in Washington it
will always come at a price.
“This represents yet another missed
opportunity for our state. Now we need to look ahead so we don’t miss
out on the next opportunity. We need ask ourselves, as lawmakers and
leaders, are we prepared to do what is necessary to win the next
high-stakes competition for jobs. For the sake of Washington families, I
hope the answer is yes.
“Today’s announcement should serve as a
wake-up call for state and local leaders. We need to do better, and we
need to be vigilant about creating and maintaining the kind of healthy
business climate that is necessary to provide jobs for the citizens of
Washington.”
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Fenton, Communications
Director - (360) 786-7728
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