Last week’s Seattle Policy Forum co-hosted by Nyhus Communications and Monument Policy Group welcomed more than 140 leaders in business, government and politics and was a huge success. Although we just scratched the surface of trade, transportation and technology in our state and region, several themes emerged that provide a guide for making our state and region the destination for business, culture and innovation. Below, you can find a summary of themes discussed throughout the day.

“Our local is our global”

• Mayor Ed Murray commented that the cynicism that seeps into politics and media is countered by Seattle’s culture of innovation and risk taking
• Seattle’s connections to Asia are an opportunity to grow business and culture
• Eric Schinfeld of the Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) added that tourism is the second biggest service export in Washington state
• “Mayors are incubators of change,” said Ed Murray. “I’m committed to making Seattle the most innovative city of the 21st century.”

A high quality, well-funded transportation system helps Washington across the board

• Congressman Rick Larsen observed: “We can’t have a big league economy with a little league infrastructure”
• Steve Crown of Microsoft added that transportation is key to attracting talent to our state. Employees need to be ensured a high quality of life, which doesn’t include sitting in traffic.
• The demand and need for transportation investment on the federal level is infinite, but with a depleted highway maintenance tax, fewer people driving and a federal gas tax that has been stagnant for 20 years, new financing options are needed
• The good news is that Sound Transit’s University Link project is currently $100 million under budget and six to nine months ahead of schedule. Mayor Murray is also committed to ensuring 75 percent of commuters are traveling by foot, bike, carpool or transit by 2020.
• Port of Tacoma’s Sean Eagan added that it costs a trucking company $19 for every minute one of their trucks is stuck in traffic. The ability to move freight quickly and efficiently is an important cog in our trade success. That’s why over 100 different organizations support the quick completion of State Route 167.

Washington is “trade driven” not “trade dependent”

• Schinfeld pointed to a recent study that found that international trade is the single biggest driver of jobs in Washington state. In fact, 40 percent of jobs depend on it.
• The trade agreements currently being discussed at the federal level will even the playing field on intellectual property protection, directly supporting Washington state’s technology and life sciences companies, thriving agriculture sector, and emerging startups
• Weyerhaeuser is the fourth largest container exporter in US, and while the majority of our consumers live outside our boarders, only one percent of US businesses export
• Congressman Denny Heck agreed with the trade panel: Infrastructure, fairness, Trade Promotion Authority & renewal of the Export-Import Bank are the most important issues when it comes to protecting Washington’s trade future

Attracting and building talent and protecting intellectual property are critical to our growing technology and life sciences industries

• Our state’s technology leaders are crying out for more investments in education, and an improved workforce to fill rapidly growing labor needs
• Renewing research and development tax incentives will create jobs and strengthen the economy
• Valve Corporation’s 350 employees comprise roughly 40 percent of all US gaming revenue according to Valve Attorney Liam Lavery
• Lisa Cohen of the Washington Global Health Alliance added that technology, global health and life sciences are all linked.  Our technology investments also support valuable Washington institutions like The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PATH and The Gates Foundation.

What we can expect in 2016

Washington Post’s Reid Wilson completed the event with a fascinating analysis of current and future political dynamics:
• The number of non-white voters is increasing yearly. Finding ways to appeal to those voters will continue to be priority for both parties.
• The President’s approval rating is a key indicator of election results. It often translates directly into winning or losing congressional seats.
• The number of Republicans already in line for a presidential run in 2016 is astounding. According to Wilson, they are going to have to find some bigger stages for primary debates.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us. Stay tuned for future events and updates.

Nyhus Communications: Communicate. Advocate. Innovate.