OLYMPIA, Wash. - Gov. Chris Gregoire is encouraging lawmakers to pass a package of bills she says will ensure the state's aerospace competitiveness into the future.
The governor testified Thursday before a joint meeting of the Senate Ways and Means and Senate Economic Development, Trade and Innovation committees. The meeting comes a day after the Unionized Boeing Machinists voted to approve a four-year contract extension, a deal that ensures the new version of the 737 airplane will be built in Washington state.
Gregoire said that the 737 MAX line will create 20,000 jobs and bring $500 million in tax revenue to the state, but that the state needs to be ready for the next production line after that.
"Whatever Boeing decides, we know one thing. We want whatever it is built right here in Washington state," she said.
Gregoire said a lot of that decision rests on the workforce.
"We must maintain our edge," she said. "It's nothing we can take for granted. It's our job to make sure the aerospace industry has the engineers it needs to invent and design and the next generation of aircraft and parts."
Several bills have already been introduced at the governor's request, and would invest nearly $10 million in various ways:
-- $7.6 million for the University of Washington and Washington State University to enroll 850 more engineering students.
-- $1.5 million toward aerospace research at the UW and WSU through creation of a Joint Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation.
-- $450,000 to provide 12 high schools with aerospace curriculum support.
-- $250,000 to add courses at 10 high schools for problem-solving using science, technology, engineering and math skills.
Another bill would extend the expiration date by 10 years until 2034 for a business and occupation tax credit for aerospace product development.
"It's time for us to act," Gregoire said. "We're in stiff competition with other states. We are in stiff, stiff competition with other countries."
Elson Floyd, president of WSU, told the committee that "the urgency is immediate for us to make significant ground relative to the aerospace industry."
"If we are to have a return to the robustness of the economic conditions which we have enjoyed previously, we have to make strategic investments," he said. "This is one of those strategic investments."
Matthew O'Donnell, dean of the College of Engineering at UW, told lawmakers that last year the university turned away 500 students from the program due to lack of capacity.
He said that Gregoire's proposal is the "fastest and most cost-effective way for us to grow engineering enrollments at the university and across the state."
Lawmakers didn't take any action Thursday, since the hearing served as an informational work session for the committee members. The bills requested by Gregoire aren't expected to receive a public hearing until the regular legislative session begins in January.
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The bills being considered are Senate bills 5982, 5975, 5973, 5974, 5976, 5983 and House bills 2155, 2159, 2160, 2158 and 2156.
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