Jobs and the Economy

My number one priority is creating jobs to get our economy back on track.  As the economy recovers from the recession, there are still too many people looking for jobs and too many families struggling to make ends meet.

I am committed to creating an economic environment that creates jobs, strengthens the foundation for future economic growth, and reduces unemployment. To grow the economy to its full potential, we need to invest in worker education, support innovation and infrastructure, make sure that credit is available for small businesses to grow and create jobs. Small businesses are a critical part of economic recovery for our nation because they are the leading source of new job growth.

Exports from Northwest Washington create jobs and connect us to the rest of the world. I have worked to help small businesses export their products. I support trade policies that promote exports and create jobs here at home. Approximately one in three jobs in Washington is tied to foreign exports, and the pay for these jobs is about 46% more than the overall state average.  When Washington state businesses export, they create jobs here.

I have established a District Export Promotion Program to help link small businesses with local, state, and federal resources that help companies sell their products to other countries and create jobs here at home. The District Export Promotion Program helps small and medium sized businesses export their products – not their jobs – overseas.

Accomplishments

• Supported tax credits for capital investments and equipment purchases so small businesses could afford to expand in these tough economic times

• Supported Boeing’s bid to build the next Air Force Tanker in the Northwest by the best aerospace workers in the world

• Supported small shipyards like Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes by championing grants to help increase productivity and create jobs

• Investing in the Skagit Valley College Marine and Advanced Manufacturing & Repair program to train the next manufacturing workforce

• Introduced legislation to make the EB-5 visa program permanent, allowing qualified foreigners who make major investments in U.S. businesses that create or save at least ten full-time jobs to seek visas

• Introduced and passed legislation to create an APEC Business travel card, allowing American business men and women will be able to travel more freely to the Asia-Pacific region and expanding opportunities to export American goods to these important markets

• Implemented a District-based export promotion program to help small businesses export their products – not their jobs – overseas