Issue Positions: Jobs/Economy

Issue Position

We must be laser focused on job-creation and our economic recovery. Norma serves effectively as the ranking member on the Community, Economic Development and Housing Committee because she works closely with small business owners and business advocates and understands the specific challenges facing employers trying to retain and grow jobs in this fragile economic climate. She is a tireless advocate for three actions critical to unleash the creative innovation and potential of our diverse industry sectors and create quality jobs for Washingtonians:

1. Promote certainty so that employers can make business decisions and long-term capital investments in equipment and expansion, creating new jobs as they grow. Quality education and workforce training, sound energy policy, a fair tax structure and a reasonable regulatory climate are essential keys to our economic recovery.
2. Improve our competitive disadvantages: Washington consistently scores poorly compared to other states across the nation in our high cost of doing business, and our adversarial regulatory climate. The growing gap between job opportunities and our education system must be improved so that students are prepared to succeed. We can and must take steps to address these disadvantages so that our businesses, both small and large, can thrive, and Washingtonians have quality jobs.
3. Protect and enhance our competitive advantages: Norma understands that Washington state had advantages unmatched by others, including the low cost of clean, renewable hydro energy and our quality of life. Protecting and promoting our advantages is vital to attracting job creators to Washington state.

Source