Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 26, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs bills to improve Washington’s economic competitiveness

SEATTLE – Gov. Gary Locke today signed into law six bills that implement the key recommendations of the Washington Competitiveness Council to enhance the state’s business climate and improve its economy.

Joined by state legislators and business and labor leaders, the governor signed the bills at a ceremony at Boeing Field in Seattle.

“We gather today at a familiar spot, a storied place in our state’s social and economic history,” Locke said. “In so many ways, The Boeing Company has defined our region.

“Our faith was shaken when Boeing decided to relocate its corporate headquarters,” the governor continued. “Everyone took notice and I resolved to make certain that our business climate be second-to-none -- that our laws, our taxes and regulations, and our state agencies work to ensure that existing businesses thrive and to provide incentives for new businesses to locate and to prosper here.”

“I established the Washington Competitiveness Council to tackle this question and to come up with meaningful solutions before the start of the recent legislative session,” Locke said.

The council delivered its report in December with recommendations in five areas: taxes and fees, regulatory and permitting issues, physical infrastructure, human capital and innovation, and benchmarks and performance measures.

“The time has come to implement the key recommendations outlined in the council’s final report,” the governor continued. “I already have enacted some of these recommendations by executive order; others require legislation or changes in agency rules.”

The council cited transportation improvements as the state’s most important competitive investment. Last week Locke signed a bill enacting regional transportation funding and tomorrow will take action on statewide transportation funding bills.

“My plan is a long-term agenda to implement many of these recommendations and today we celebrate progress,” the governor stated. “We’ve followed-through and delivered. We’ve kept our promises.”

Locke thanked the state legislators gathered for the ceremony and singled out legislative leadership and the bill sponsors for their assistance in getting the bills passed.

“I want to thank not only the Competitiveness Council members, but also the Legislature for their bipartisan support for this agenda,” Locke said. “Speaker Chopp, Representative Sehlin and Senators Snyder and West each participated in the council, understood the urgency of the council’s requests and helped to make them happen.

“Our state’s business climate is the beneficiary and, by extension, the people who contribute to the fabric of our society -- the men and women who buy the homes and raise their children,” Locke said. “They’re the soul of our state, the ones who make our communities vital. Today is their day -- as we resolve that Boeing Field not only generates memories of a rich and colorful past, but also reflects a rich and colorful future ahead.”

Locke today signed the following bills into law:

• Substitute House Bill No. 1005, sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Morris, relating to granting of easements on state-owned aquatic lands for local public utility lines
  
  
• House Bill No. 2641, sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Gombosky, relating to implementing the recommendations of the investment income tax deduction task force for the business and occupation tax
  
  
• Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2671, sponsored by state Rep. Kelli Linville, relating to creating the permit assistance center in the office of the governor
  
  
• Second Substitute House Bill 2697, sponsored by state Rep. Aaron Reardon, relating to incorporating effective economic development planning into growth management planning
  
  
• Substitute House Bill No. 2736, sponsored by state Rep. Ed Murray, relating to authorizing the University of Washington and the Washington State University to make financing arrangements for research facilities
  
  
• Engrossed House Bill No. 2901, sponsored by state Rep. Steve Conway, relating to unemployment insurance
  
  The governor established the Washington Competitiveness Council in July 2001. The council plans two more meetings -- one in June and one in September -- to continue to monitor progress on its agenda. A copy of the council’s final report is available online at www.governor.wa.gov/wcc/wcc.htm.

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  Related Links:
  - Washington Competitiveness Council
  - Washington State Legislature
  - Bill Information
  - Rep. Frank Chopp (D-43), Speaker of the House
  - Rep. Barry Sehlin (R-10)
  - Sen. Sid Snyder (D-19)
  - Sen. James West (R-6)
  - Rep. Jeff Morris (D-40)
  - Rep. Jeff Gombosky (D-3)
  - Rep. Kelli Linville (D-42)
  - Rep. Aaron Reardon (D-38)
  - Rep. Ed Murray (D-43)
  - Rep. Steve Conway (D-29)
  
  
  

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