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

Locke thanks Washington Competitiveness Council for helping improve state’s business climate

SEATTLE — Gov. Gary Locke today thanked members of the Washington Competitiveness Council for helping improve the state’s business climate and pledged continued support in implementing its key recommendations.

Locke told members of the council that while the state’s revenue forecast is slightly higher, economic recovery is expected to be slow.

“Nonetheless, we have reason to be optimistic,” the governor said. “We are taking steps that will help us take full advantage of our economic recovery – steps that initially were recommended right here – by this council – and then adopted by the Legislature or put into action by my office. Working together, we’re getting results.”

Locke convened the council last year to improve the state's competitive edge in business and industry, and met with members this morning at the Stadium Exhibition Center in Seattle.

Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, chaired the meeting. He began with a review of 2002 legislative session accomplishments and led a discussion of the council’s unfinished agenda.

Marty Brown, director of the state Office of Financial Management, offered a current budget outlook. Phyllis Campbell, chair of the Community Board, U.S. Bank of Washington, Seattle, discussed tax and budget competitiveness issues. Hugh Spitzer, co-chair of the Washington State Tax Study Committee, presented a tax study update, and Will Rice, acting director of the state Department of Revenue offered a machinery and equipment exemption report. Paul Isaki, the governor’s special assistant for business, presented an update on regulatory reform issues, and Tom Fitzsimmons, director of the state Department of Ecology, discussed the department’s efforts to streamline permitting and measure results. Scott Morris, president of Avista Utilities, presented an economic development task force report.

Locke noted the council’s top recommendation to fix the state’s traffic mess, and urged support of a statewide transportation measure to keep Washington’s economy strong. The governor said transportation solutions to provide congestion relief and improve highway safety are the “most important thing we can do to energize our economy now, and to build a foundation for long-term economic success.”

The governor highlighted recent legislative successes and noted progress in permit streamlining, improving fairness in the unemployment insurance system, updating the state’s water laws, improving state government efficiencies and building on the state’s innovation economy.

“While we follow through on our commitment to improve the competitiveness of our existing industries, I also will work to ensure that Washington and our people share in the prosperity that will result from continued innovation,” Locke said. “Washington has the resources – the intellectual capital, the specialized facilities, the venture capital and the motivation – to lead the nation and the world in industries likely to emerge as the engines of growth in the 21st century. We must recognize and seize these opportunities.”

The council agreed to continue meeting to further its agenda through the next legislative session.

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Related Links:
- Washington Competitiveness Council
- Office of Financial Management
- Department of Revenue
- Washington State Tax Structure Study
- Washington State Legislature

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