The Legislature didn’t give Gov. Chris Gregoire an advisory council on aerospace.
It gave a thumbs down on creating a new institute in Snohomish County for training workers and developing new technologies for the industry.
No problem. Gregoire said Monday she’ll get both tasks done through an executive order to be issued in the near future.
The governor’s Washington Council on Aerospace and separate Washington Institute for Aerospace Technology and Advanced Manufacturing were viewed as ways of bolstering the state’s ability to capture future aerospace business.
One of the specific tasks of the advisory panel would have been improving the recruitment and retention of aerospace firms.
Politically, some lawmakers considered them an olive branch to the Boeing Co. which is the state’s core employers and been giving the people the impression it may phase out its presence in Washington.
Legislation for the council died in the House when Republicans vowed to amend it with several reforms specifically sought by the business community and Boeing.
The House did overwhelmingly pass the bill for the institute.
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, blocked final action apparently because she did not want it housed initially at Edmonds Community College. She reportedly wanted a chance at basing it in Eastern Washington.
For the record, Boeing’s top priority was getting unemployment insurance reforms done that put the state in conformity with federal rules. Lawmakers did it, reluctantly, and the business community with share in a little break on their taxes.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.