EVERETT – Two days after her resounding victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire was in Everett to talk about economic growth and tour the city.
Gregoire, who defeated primary challenger Ron Sims by a large margin, invited herself to town to talk with members of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce. She had already done the same in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, she said during her visit Thursday.
To help back up her campaign promise of creating 250,000 jobs, she said she wants to know the economic issues in “literally every area of the state.”
Gregoire, finishing her third term as attorney general, will take on former state Sen. Dino Rossi in November’s general election.
Gregoire said the governor’s primary role in economic development is to help create partnerships and incentives.
“The state can help in strategic planning and bringing people together,” she said. The key is to stay in “constant contact.”
In Snohomish County, she said Boeing and the Port of Everett play a critical role in the economy and can work with each other, the chamber and higher education. She said the way to build on Everett’s success in landing the 7E7 is to keep up the dialogue.
“I want those empty buildings (near Paine Field) filled by subcontractors,” she said.
Next year, the federal government will undergo a review of military bases for possible closure.
“The strategic reasons why (the Navy base) came to Everett have not gone away,” Gregoire said, pledging to work with state and local officials and the congressional delegation to protect the base.
Gregoire said 25 percent of the state’s biotech industry is based in Snohomish County. She proposes to invest $500 million in tobacco settlement money in 2008 “to get the oomph going behind the life sciences and biotech.”
Concerns raised by chamber board members included workers’ compensation and the burden of the business and occupation tax on small businesses, Gregoire said. She proposes to reduce the number of businesses that have to pay the tax and to allow businesses to participate in a state pool purchase of health insurance.
Rossi released his own campaign platform Thursday. His economic development plan stresses reducing regulations, reducing the cost of government and keeping taxes down.
The Everett chamber has invited Rossi to visit and also meet with board members and go on a “windshield tour” of key places around the city, chamber President Louise Stanton-Masten said.
For Gregoire, that tour included the Navy base and the Port of Everett’s north marina project, E. Marine View Drive improvements, the 41st Street interchange on I-5, and south Everett and Everett Mall.
Rossi has accepted the chamber’s invitation, Stanton-Masten said. A date for the visit has yet to be set, she said.
The chamber will not make an endorsement in the race, in keeping with its bylaws, which prevent it from endorsing political candidates, Stanton-Masten said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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