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Boeing's choice of South
Carolina for 787 line
a 'devastating missed opportunity,' says Rep. Roach
Lawmaker says Legislature's refusal to address
employer concerns is to blame
Rep. Dan Roach,
R-Bonney Lake, issued the following statement today after the Boeing
Company announced it would build its second 787 line in South Carolina
instead of Washington state:
"Boeing's decision of
where to locate the second 787 line obviously came down to which state
is more competitive, has a better business climate, less regulatory
bureaucracy, and is more conducive to jobs. Unfortunately, when Boeing
compared the two states, Washington fell short, losing the 787 line to
South Carolina. This decision is the result of the governor and
legislative leaders in our state remaining in complete denial for years
about the concerns of job providers in Washington.
"This is one of the most
devastating missed opportunities of the decade in our state.
Washington's unemployment rate is at its highest level in nearly 25
years, with more than 320,000 people out of a job. This second line not
only could have provided hundreds of Boeing jobs in the Puget Sound
region, but countless other jobs indirectly as a ripple effect. The
South Carolina Legislature recognized the extraordinary benefits that
could come from this second line. That's why they entered into a special
legislative session this week to work out details that would attract
Boeing. Why didn't Washington state demonstrate an equally strong
commitment to keep the aerospace industry vibrant and growing here?
"The saddest part is that
we've seen this coming for a very long time. When Boeing decided to
uproot its headquarters in Seattle and relocate to Chicago, many of my
legislative colleagues warned this was the canary in the mine shaft. We
recognized that if we are to retain Boeing and other employers in
Washington, serious reforms must be implemented in unemployment
insurance, workers' compensation, and the state's permitting and
regulatory processes. An
independent report issued to the Legislature earlier this year made
clear these reforms are top issues for every employer.
"Unfortunately,
the governor and legislative leaders have done very little to change our
state's business climate. As a result, Boeing is looking elsewhere. That
canary is once again chirping and you can bet that unless these reforms
are enacted by the Legislature, other employers may not be far behind."
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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