Tag Archives: Trade

Trade and environmental battles taking their toll on 13th District

Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake offered this statement in response to REC Silicon’s announcement that it is suspending operations until at least June:

 

“REC Silicon is a major employer in our community and news of their closure is going to have a significant impact, even though it may be temporary,” said Warnick. “People who rely on these family-wage jobs will be deeply affected. Unfortunately, as I and other members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee were recently told, there is very little help for state employers and displaced employees to turn to in this situation. As a result, some 500 people will lose their jobs for months as trade wars over environmental policy between the U.S. and China continue.

 

“Although I cannot solve the larger challenges posed by tariffs and international politics, I am very concerned for our community and frustrated at the results. In addition, the pressure of increased state regulations makes the decision easier for businesses to relocate or close their Washington operations in a globally competitive market. Our state’s trade dependence and eye toward international business makes Washington an attractive location, but the threats of punitive state environmental regulations to deal with a global problem won’t help.

 

“I understand Governor Inslee has pledged to continue conversations with the Chinese and U.S. governments to resolve their disputes over silicon tariffs.  I support those efforts and will work with him for a speedy resolution to this critical situation being faced by our Moses Lake area families.

 

Click here to watch the recent Senate Ways and Means discussion on the state response to layoff aversion.

 

Click here to read the press release from REC Silicon on its planned curtailment.

13th District lawmakers ask President Obama to intervene to bring West Coast port labor dispute to an end

With thousands of jobs and billions of dollars on the line for Washington state, lawmakers representing the 13th District say the time for the president to act is now.

The three lawmakers signed a letter to President Obama this week, asking him to intervene in the West Coast port labor dispute. In the letter, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, cite the “devastating effect” the slowdown is having on Washington state employers, employees and the state’s economic stability.

The slowdown is currently costing U.S. agriculture millions of dollars, as representatives from the Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union have not come to an agreement on a new contract for dockworkers.

“If a resolution is not reached quickly, not only will the national economy suffer, [but] our state’s operating budget could be well short of the tax collections expected from our trade and manufacturing sectors,” wrote the lawmakers.

Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation, and exports $15.1 billion annually in food and agriculture products through Puget Sound ports.

“We need immediate action if we are to salvage what remains of our market share for trade around the globe and to ensure our manufacturers can continue to produce high-demand products.”

To read the lawmakers’ complete letter, click here.