Keep Washington Competitive is a coalition of business, labor, agriculture, and trade organizations and leaders, joined together to promote bilateral trade growth in Washington state through sound state policies.

As the most trade-dependent state in the country, it is paramount that our lawmakers and state regulators work together with business and labor to sustain this vital industry for future generations of Washingtonians. Several critical decisions before our state could jeopardize trade related jobs and growth, threatening Washington’s ability not only to compete for new business, but also to maintain the thriving trade infrastructure we have worked so hard to build.

Our objective is to foster a regulatory environment that encourages investment in Washington’s trade industries. Ensuring our state is positioned to thrive in the increasingly competitive national and international marketplace for foreign trade will require:

• A timely regulatory review process lasting no longer than 18 months for proposals meeting Washington’s high environmental standards.
• An environmental framework that is predictable and obtainable, focusing on the needs of communities where projects are to be built, rather than speculative indirect impacts.
• A commitment to promoting trade growth and the diversity of employment opportunities that sustain Washington’s middle class.

• Gordon Baxter, Labor Leader
• Larry Brown, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, Local 751
• Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business
• Lee Newgent, Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council
• Vince O’Halloran, Sailors’ Union of the Pacific
• Eric Schinfeld, Washington Council on International Trade
• John Stuhlmiller, Washington Farm Bureau