Sen. Mike Hewitt’s statement on Gov. Gregoire’s 787 ‘business case’ report

September 28, 2009

Olympia...Today Gov. Gregoire issued a report titled “The Business Case for Consolidating Boeing 787 Assembly in Washington.” Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, issued this statement in response to the report. Hewitt is the state Senate Minority Leader and a member of Gov. Gregoire’s Council on Aerospace.  

“While this report is beautiful and glossy and filled with rankings, is there really any substance here that Boeing hasn’t already considered? I want the company to stay in Washington as much as everyone else, but it’s time to stop resting on rankings and look at where we really are on the ground. 

“Boeing may take a big portion of its business out of this state; unemployment is already at 9.2 percent and predicted to hit 10 percent next year; workers’ comp taxes are going up by 117 million dollars; and our budget problems are likely to spawn even more tax-hike proposals, including an income tax. Tout whatever magazine rankings, studies and figures you want, but those are the realities employers in our state – including Boeing and its in-state suppliers – are facing. Instead of issuing reports, we should be taking action like we did in 2003 when we made major reforms to the unemployment insurance system to land the first 787 line.  

“There are many positive attributes Washington brings to the table, like the unmatched skill of our aerospace workers. And I’m sure South Carolina doesn’t have any hills that compare with Mount Rainier. Unfortunately, we don’t know how much that really matters to the executive in Chicago. The only ranking that counts when it comes to Boeing will be the one made in the corporate board room.  

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