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Business leaders urge predictability and fiscal discipline to keep employers in Washington
Summary
Business and civic leaders including Tod Leiweke, Kerry Schroeder and Denise Moriguchi told a business audience that predictable permitting and fiscal discipline are essential to sustain private investment, jobs and growth in Washington.
Business leaders on a closing panel told attendees that predictability in permitting, clearer rules and spending discipline are key to keeping private investment and jobs in Washington.
Kerry Schroeder, who moderated portions of the panel, said predictability matters as much as cost for multi‑year investments. "Predictability matters as much and sometimes more than the cost themselves," she said, arguing that companies must be able to see timelines and outcomes before making capital commitments.
Tod Leiweke, who led the stadium and franchise efforts discussed at the session, recalled the benefits of successful public‑private partnerships but warned that credit‑rating pressure and perceptions that businesses are not valued can push firms to consider leaving. He said he has seen companies move jobs out of state and urged a clearer fiscal plan from policymakers to preserve private investment.
Denise Moriguchi, who leads Uwajimaya, spoke for small and midsize family‑owned businesses and cautioned that rapidly rising labor and operating costs make it hard for smaller firms to absorb new mandates. She said her company is still expanding but stressed the need to include small‑business voices in policy conversations to avoid unintended consequences.
Panelists urged the governor's new economic development council and the legislature's budget sustainability committee to prioritize faster permitting, stronger workforce pipelines and accountability for public spending. Rachel Smith, president of the Washington Roundtable, said the panel would carry those priorities into the governor's council and that organizers plan to publish a report summarizing the day's recommendations.
The session closed with audience questions about entry‑level jobs in an AI‑influenced labor market; speakers urged curriculum alignment with employer needs and stronger employer‑informed workforce signaling.
No votes or formal actions were taken during the panel.
