Rail improvements vital to Washington economy
Matt ManwellerWA St. Representative - Thirteenth District
On March 13, the Legislature concluded the 60-day, short session in the 2013 legislative biennium. As usual, some things never change; there are more requests for funding than there are funds, and important projects are left out in the competition for finite resources. As legislators we try to prioritize the most vital statewide needs. However, the amount of time we meet is short, and it is common significant infrastructure - even if it concerns a cornerstone of our economy - goes unfunded.
For instance, it's well known that nearly 40 percent of jobs in Washington are trade-related. We are the most trade-dependent state in the nation. Yet when drafting a state budget, that information and the hard numbers are not taken into consideration, even though they are right in front of us. But when factoring the state budget, that information doesn't translate directly to the hard numbers in front of us. It should. It's important to acknowledge the significant contribution trade makes to our tax base, and that its supporting rail infrastructure is a critical component.
Rail is the backbone of our entire export industry. It is the reason Washington has been a global-export leader for more than a century, and frankly, there would be no Washington as we know it today if we hadn't been able to efficiently and affordably get our goods to global markets.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington set a new record for exports in 2013 with $81.9 billion in products and services sold to international customers. We are one of only 16 states setting new records, helping U.S. exports reach a record $2.3 trillion.
Washington's export growth is led by aerospace, with international sales last year totaling $43.6 billion, an 18 percent increase over 2012. Other top Washington exports include fuel, industrial and electric machinery, wheat, medical instruments and wood.
Think of what those numbers mean to state revenues and our state budget-particularly for our current educational funding needs. Now, envision budgeting in our state if that massive revenue was severely diminished, as other states and countries increasingly pick up if we falter.
We can't afford to lose our competitive edge. Our infrastructure must be honed to meet ever-changing global demands, and we cannot take the value of our trade industry for granted.
Our current economy could be seriously damaged if we don't maintain our trade infrastructure. That's why I co-founded the state's Legislative Rail Caucus, a bicameral and bipartisan group dedicated to improving rail transportation in Washington. Without rail there is no trade, and without trade there will never be enough funding to maintain even basic services the state provides.
The ultimate purpose of the caucus is to advance the understanding, communication, partnership and networking opportunities for rail in Washington by working in conjunction with the state Department of Transportation, local governments and ports, passenger railroads, freight railroads, rail suppliers, and shippers. This should ensure we meet the funding needs of all parties involved in the too-often overlooked rail sector.
When we return to session next year, we again will face a daunting budget process and ever-increasing funding demands. We will again navigate a delicate balance to ensure that vital services and projects are funded, while ensuring our transportation needs are not an afterthought. I will continue urging my colleagues to remember where the bulk of our revenues come from - our trade industry - and the rail infrastructure that allows it to thrive.
Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, is the ranking Republican on the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee.
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