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Congestion hurts port competitiveness

Some news this week on the port slowdown: Monday the AP reported that Negotiators working on a new contract for dockworkers at West Coast seaports, which handle about $1 trillion worth of cargo annually, have resolved a key dispute in their difficult talks, an association representing employers said Monday. . . . The new agreement […]

Port delays could mean long-term damage for businesses

Yesterday the Senate Commerce & Labor and Trade & Economic Development Committees held a joint work session on the slowdown at the ports (which we have written about previously). Several Washington businesses affected testified. Marc Spears of Chelan Fresh Marketing said that they’re losing $1.2 million in sales per week. He noted that they are […]

2014 remainders: workers' comp, freight plan, and the ports

Some end-of-year housekeeping — the following are some items I didn’t get around to blogging about over the past month: The Department of Labor and Industries announced that workers’ compensation premiums will increase by an average of 0.8 percent. In September, L&I had proposed an increase of 1.8 percent. The Washington State Department of Transportation […]

Seattle Times on education, transportation, and Inslee's budget proposal

Education and transportation look to be main areas of work for the Legislature in the upcoming session. Over the weekend, the Seattle Times had a few interesting items on these topics, in light of Gov. Inslee’s 2015-17 budget proposal. First, regarding the governor’s transportation plan, the paper points to a letter from state Treasurer Jim […]

Governor proposes $12 billion transportation plan fueled largely by new carbon fee (or is it a tax?)

Gov. Inslee launched the 2015 transportation finance debate yesterday, unveiling an ambitious plan and introducing a new “cap and trade” program. From the news release: Rather than raise the gas tax on all motorists, the plan would be funded largely through fees and bonding as well as on a new carbon pollution charge. Sources of […]

Transportation funding, climate change and the electric car tax incentive … skeptics want to tap the brake

Gov. Jay Inslee believes electric cars are good for the state and good for the planet. And he’s looking for ways to promote them. …Inslee wants to extend a sales-tax break for electric vehicles and explore giving them access to carpool lanes…[Also, he] said he wants to install more charging stations and create incentives for builders […]

High stakes in West Coast ports contract dispute

In the Seattle Times, AWB president Kris Johnson and Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruits Association, underscore the urgency in resolving the contract dispute between West Coast dockworkers unions and the Pacific Maritime Association. Given our dependence on ports for nearly all industries — imports and exports — the slowdown could ultimately impact […]

Port delays hinder trade

The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma have significant economic impacts for our region. They have apparently been experiencing delays: A work slowdown at the Pacific Northwest’s two largest ports Wednesday began affecting businesses as distant as Chicago as major port terminals stopped accepting export cargoes and cut the pace of imports by half. Fruit growers […]

Port of Seattle's activities generate $894 million in state and local taxes

Yesterday the Port of Seattle released an economic impact study of its seaport (marine cargo, fishing, cruises, and marinas), airport, and real estate activity. (An economic impact study released last month looked at marine cargo at the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma.) Below is a summary chart of the impacts. Sea-Tac accounts for 80 percent […]

Next year's legislature must address transportation funding

In my column today, I revisit the Washington Roundtable-Boston Consulting Group report we posted on last week. According to BCG, a $7 billion investment would return $42 billion in value over 30 years. The benefits show up in reduced congestion costs, improved safety, lower vehicle operating costs, expanded port activity, and lower future repair costs. […]