Larsen: Trade and Transportation Investments Create Jobs

Statement

Larsen: Trade and Transportation Investments Create Jobs

International trade and investments in transportation are critical to Washington state's economy, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) told the Everett Chamber of Commerce in his keynote address today.

"In Washington state, trade and transportation investments create jobs," said Larsen.

In his remarks, Larsen announced his support for a free trade agreement with South Korea, the 5th largest export market for Washington state products.

"In 2007, Washington state exported nearly $3 billion in goods and services to South Korea," said Larsen. "The U.S.-Korea free trade agreement is the key trade deal for Washington state, and I will work to bring it up for a vote in Congress."

Larsen also stressed the need for Congress to update Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) legislation to expand coverage to more workers, including those in the service industries, and to invest in retraining and health care for those adversely affected by trade.

"We need to upgrade our Trade Adjustment Assistance to help 21st century workers in a 21st century economy," stressed Larsen. "We must also increase investments in education, worker training and innovation to make American businesses more competitive in the global marketplace."

Larsen drove home the importance of investments in transportation to keep the local economy running strong.

"The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that each $1 billion of new transportation spending creates 47,000 new jobs," said Larsen, a Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "Looking toward the future, it is more critical than ever that our transportation system is efficient and reliable."

In May, Larsen held transportation roundtables across Northwest Washington to hear from local stakeholders and transportation leaders as Congress prepares to write the next major surface transportation bill in the coming year.

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