What Boeing (and all businesses) really wants is a new mind-set in Olympia and Everett. It is not one, two or even three things that need to change at the state and county levels of government. Our elected officials talk about helping businesses all the time, and how they are trying to help create jobs. But in reality, there is absolutely no concern about how their actions will negatively impact businesses from increased taxes and fees to building and operational requirements that actually prevent businesses from operating safely and efficiently.
Businesses should bear a greater burden of the tax load. The businesses they operate in should be safe for the employees and the public. The products and services we make and provide need to be safe. And we need to be environmentally conscious. These are all no-brainers that any honest business would agree with. But as it is now, the tax structure is a mess, we pay the state one tax before we pay for any salaries or expenses.
When the state and county start to think about all businesses, not just the Boeings, Microsofts and big developers, all businesses including the Boeings and Microsofts will be happy, and in turn, the individual residents of this county will be happy.
We have a small business. Boeing probably has 10 times as many employees in human resources as we have total. But if the state and county adresses our concerns, Boeing would probably be ecstatic because of how much it would help them. And the same would go for us if they address Boeing’s concerns. But then this is Snohomish County, and as long as they get their money, the state and county don’t really care.
George Schlosser
Lake Stevens
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