Taps Rep. Rick Larsen (D) To Lead State Aerospace Delegation

A legislative budget stalemate has led Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (pictured) to cancel his participation in an upcoming aerospace trade mission.

The governor was due to leave Friday to lead a delegation of 52 aerospace executives, educators and economic development professionals to the 50th International Paris Air Show. There, the governor was due to meet with officials of the Boeing Company, as well as with CEOs and other high-ranking executives of more than two dozen companies from around the world. The air show is a premier industry event for commercial aerospace manufacturers and suppliers.

“I am disappointed I will not be able to join the delegation on this trade mission as we make the case that Washington is the best place for aerospace manufacturers and suppliers,” the governor said. “We are fortunate that Congressman Larsen, a longtime champion of the industry and a leader in international trade policy, agreed to my request and will step in to lead the delegation.”

The Washington Legislature is in its second special session after failing to reach a budget compromise. The governor is actively involved in budget negotiations in Olympia and has begun contingency planning in case a budget is not approved by June 30, the end of the current two-year budget cycle.

“Washington is the aerospace capital of the world, and next week we are going to work hard to keep it that way,” Larsen said. “Governor Inslee knows his first job is getting a budget agreement that invests in education and infrastructure to keep our state’s economy growing. As a leader on the House Aviation Subcommittee and the representative of tens of thousands of aerospace workers and dozens of suppliers, I am eager to advocate for this critical part of our economy on Governor Inslee’s behalf.”

Larsen, (D-WA-02) (pictured, below), is the ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation including safety, infrastructure, labor, commerce and international issues, and oversees the Federal Aviation Administration. Washington’s 2nd District is home to Boeing’s largest facility where workers make the 747s, 767s, 777s, 787s and the new Air Force KC-46 refueling tanker. The District is also home to dozens of aerospace suppliers.

FMI: www.governor.wa.gov