As a recent past chair of the Association of Washington Business, I have seen up close the challenges we face with our state’s budget. Government inefficiency, a lagging economy and the resulting reduced tax revenue have caused a secession of budgetary challenges in Olympia. This is further exacerbated by a state government that often hinders business.
When an alternate funding mechanism becomes available for a much-needed project like the Marysville Bridge (Ebey Slough) we must take advantage of the opportunity.
The construction of a port facility to export American coal to Asian nations is the perfect example. We will not be competing for existing funds for the bridge project. The new port will provide new money for that, and other, badly needed infrastructure projects.
These projects obviously don’t burst forth fully formed. They need the services of engineers, draftsmen, construction workers, truck drivers, materials suppliers and, yes, even food service companies to provide food on the job sites. In addition the export activity created by the port project will continue to create jobs into the future.
We need the port facility project to proceed. It will help grow our economy, will put people to work, and will make this a better place to live.
Jack McRae
Edmonds
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