Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Gov. Gregoire will take Boeing matters into her own hands
OLYMPIA -- State legislators didn't create an advisory council on aerospace that Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted.
Nor did they launch a new institute in Snohomish County for training workers and developing new technologies for the industry.
So, the governor said Monday she will pursue both tasks 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 is 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 employer and has raised concerns that it might considering phasing 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 reportedly because she did not want it housed initially at Edmonds Community College. She reportedly wanted a chance at basing it in Eastern Washington.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623, jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Nor did they launch a new institute in Snohomish County for training workers and developing new technologies for the industry.
So, the governor said Monday she will pursue both tasks 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 is 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 employer and has raised concerns that it might considering phasing 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 reportedly because she did not want it housed initially at Edmonds Community College. She reportedly wanted a chance at basing it in Eastern Washington.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623, jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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