The News Tribune -Â A day after she chaired a hearing in Seattle that focused on aerospace jobs, Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state today is headed to Vancouver, where she plans to host a roundtable discussion with community leaders to examine strategies to keep the aerospace industry competitive.
According to Cantwell, the state’s aerospace industry currently employs 83,700 people, representing more than one-sixth of all aerospace workers in the nation. And last year, she said, Washington state exported more than $23.3 billion in aerospace products, 30 percent of all U.S. aerospace exports.
As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
