Blog

Scoping hearings for Millennium coal export terminal near Longview

Our recently completed four-part series on trade and transportation underscored the benefits of bulk commodity exports to our state. Among them: Continued export growth in bulk commodities will boost job creation and investment Expanded facilities for coal will benefit other key export sectors, including agriculture The expansion will spur additional private sector spending on rail […]

Culture, railroads, and GE labeling

The Lexington column in this week’s Economist magazine is about the agricultural (emphasis on cultural) differences of the U.S. and Europe, and it is worth reading — especially as Washington voters will decide in November whether to follow the European Union’s lead and require labeling of genetically engineered foods. Rivals in other lands have sniffy […]

WRC trade and transportation series in the news

Last week’s release of the third report in our trade and transportation included a briefing in the Tri-Cities following a meeting with the Tri-Cities Herald editorial board. The Herald’s story was picked up in The News Tribune. Adding more jobs and helping the state compete globally for export trade are among the benefits to expanding […]

New policy brief: Washington Cargo Rides the Rails

We have posted a new policy brief titled Washington Cargo Rides the Rails. This is the third part of our Trade and Transportation series. The brief can be downloaded through this link.

Goethe on trade and transportation

In Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy, the second part of our series Trade and Transportation, we look at export activity and the ports. There is stiff competition among ports for export business. Traditionally, Washington’s biggest competitors have been other ports on the U.S. west coast. . . . Washington’s ports face additional competition on the […]

New policy brief: Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy

We have posted a new policy brief titled Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy. The brief can be downloaded through this link. This is the second brief in our series Trade and Transportation.

New brief: Trade-Dependent Washington Relies on Rail

In a new policy brief, Trade-Dependent Washington Relies on Rail, we take a look at the rail system in Washington, including funding sources and traffic estimates. As we conclude, Our state’s ability to maintain its nation-leading position as a hub for domestic and international trade depends on speedy, safe, and reliable transportation connections. Privately-owned freight […]

2013 action on transportation

In May, a 2013–15 transportation appropriations bill, ESSB 5024, was enacted. According to the House Office of Program Research, the budget includes “a continuation of budgetary activity but no significant new transportation projects.” Considering all fund sources, it is an $8.7 billion budget ($5.2 billion of which is for capital projects). Some of the projects […]

I-5 bridge collapse should rekindle commitment to improving transportation infrastructure

Yesterday’s bridge collapse calls our attention again to the state’s transportation infrastructure – roads, bridges, and so on. Seattle Times editorial writer provides some good detail, links and commentary. It looks like the state transportation budget won’t be further stressed. We can appreciate the relatively light impact of the I-5 bridge collapse while also asking pertinent […]

Inslee's three priorities for special session: budget, transportation, DUI

Gov. Inslee has pared his list of special session priorities to three. Gov. Jay Inslee has narrowed his list of top priorities for lawmakers to address in a special session, saying Monday that the Legislature must focus on the operating budget, a transportation-funding package and new legislation to crack down on drunken drivers. As the […]