Senate Democrats
What we are doing about jobs
If Washington is to recover economically in the next 2-to-3 years, the state must transition to an innovation-driven economy that develops and commercializes new technologies. Rather than rely on traditional methods of industrial recruitment, we need a long‐term strategy focused on outcomes and measures.
Our jobs agenda focuses on five areas — talent, infrastructure, investment, barriers to success, and exports — that cultivate an innovative environment and provide a foundation for Washington's economic plan.
Our goal is to train unemployed workers to fill the current job openings and retain workers to maximize economic growth and stay competitive.
A 21st century economy must be open to top talent from around the world. Washington’s leading firms have long recruited employees from across the country and overseas. Washington has one of the best educated populations in the country in large part because we import people with college degrees and high skill levels. Currently 60,000 jobs are unfilled in Washington State due to a shortage of skilled workers.
For instance, Senate Democrats propose expanding aerospace training and implementing some of the actions in the Aerospace Competitiveness Study for the 737 MAX, as just one example. See more here.
Our goal is to make infrastructure investments that support innovative clusters, improve mobility for workers and goods, and maximize job creation in capital programs.
Investments in infrastructure should focus on innovation. The state can be a leader in the creation of enormous new markets by designing and building smart infrastructure that takes full advantage of communications and information technologies to perform more effectively.
For instance, Senate Democrats propose making large capital investment to put people to work and supporting an investment strategy that will help us maintain a more integrated transportation system. See other ideas here.
Our goal is to create an innovation ecosystem that foster businesses and investment.
Washington needs to be at the forefront of science and emerging technologies that form the foundation of new markets, product categories and industry clusters. The state is strong in the fields of life sciences, biotechnology, digital technologies, new media, advanced materials, global health, energy systems and others; what it lacks are mechanisms for commercialization, or in other words, turning ideas into new products and services. No matter how good the ideas and how dedicated the entrepreneurs, all ideas face the “valley of death” where good ideas fail due to a lack of capital at the earliest stage of development.
For instance, Senate Democrats propose supporting research and development at the university level that advances innovation in products and technologies. See other ideas here.
Our goal is to reduce the cost of doing business and improve Washington rankings in business environments.
Washington’s recent and current budget shortfalls make it essential that we look for ways to make government more efficient and streamlined. A critical component of this is to foster a regulatory environment that enhances business investment and will be efficient, lean, timely and provide certainty.
For instance, to make government more efficient and responsive, Senate Democrats propose updating and streamlining regulations delaying growth. See other ideas here.
Our goal is to provide export assistance to small and medium sized businesses.
Exports are a driver of job growth, yet only 4 percent of small to medium-size producers export today. Most small and medium sized businesses lack the technical expertise or support network to begin the process of exporting. Companies that are currently exporting are hiring and increasing their sales despite the recession. Our key to economic recovery is to help companies reach new customers in the global market.
For instance, Senate Democrats propose fostering export assistance services thru the Community Economic Revitalization Board. See other ideas here.