The House Transportation Committee has launched a new series of work sessions called “Focus on: Trade” to highlight the importance of national and international trade to Washington’s economy and how transportation plays a role in making it happen.
Led by Chair Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island), the work sessions will have members of the committee bringing in businesses, ports, local governments, and economic development organizations from their district to speak first-hand to the importance of trade.
The first work session focused on Kenmore Air, a harbor-based airport on the north end of Seattle’s Lake Union which flies routes across the state and internationally to Canada. They are also a major supplier of replacement pontoons and other seaplane retrofitting parts for King County. The panel was introduced by Representative Jessyn Farrell (D-Seattle), whose 46th Legislative District contains Kenmore Air.
Representative Brad Hawkins (R-Wenatchee) sponsored the second work session in the series, bringing in representatives from Double Diamond Fruit as well as the Port of Quincy, which operates one of Washington’s primary ‘Cold Trains’ used to ship refrigerated goods from Eastern Washington to the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
The “Focus on: Trade” series will continue throughout the legislative session, bringing real world examples of how trade, transportation, and our state’s economy are all interconnected. Stay tuned for more!