Sen. Mike Hewitt’s statement on Boeing 787 second assembly line announcement

October 28, 2009

“Although today’s announcement was the blow we hoped would not come, it is also a call to action. The next battle starts today, right now. We must do everything we can to retain the 737 line and keep all present and future aerospace jobs in Washington. Today we lost thousands of jobs. We cannot afford to lose thousands more.  

“Tom Captain, vice chairman and an aerospace expert at Deloitte LLP, recently pointed out that Washington has lost all five of the latest major competitions to attract aerospace jobs. With today’s announcement we’re zero for six – not exactly the makings of a championship season. On top of that we’re now faced with a brand-new challenge:  the aerospace sector will have a large, active, trained workforce elsewhere in the country. It’s time to stop resting on general business rankings from out-of-state groups that tout what a great place Washington is for business. Those who actually make decisions to site aerospace jobs obviously do not agree.  

“Washington must be leaner and meaner if we’re going to compete in this global economy. One of the ways we can do that is by taking a long, hard look at the Deloitte report released this past spring. It focuses specifically on what our state needs to do to be more competitive in the aerospace sector – an industry that accounts for more than 36 billion dollars in our state’s economy. One of the most important things we must do is reform workers’ compensation, which the Deloitte reports calls ‘one of the most expensive workers’ compensation systems in the country.’ I stand ready to work with my colleagues and the governor to enact those critical changes that will help us compete for jobs. 

“Today’s news is tough medicine, but it’s something we should face together with a strong determination not to let it happen again. Other states and other countries are competing very hard to attract employers. Let’s roll up our sleeves, work together and fight to keep every current and future job, not just in aerospace but in every sector, in Washington.”  

For more information contact Senate Republican Caucus Communications Director  Rebecca Japhet at (360) 786-7516 or japhet.rebecca@leg.wa.gov.