July 9, 2009
For Immediate Release
Scott Whiteaker, 206-303-9716
Larry Phillips to help revitalize economy with “Jobs Now!”
Action agenda for getting people back to work and businesses back in the black
Seattle, WA – With financial worries weighing heavily on the minds of the people and businesses of King County, Larry Phillips, candidate for King County Executive, today released his “Jobs Now” action agenda to make King County a partner in economic revitalization.
“My top priority as King County Executive is to do everything I can to put people back to work,” said Phillips. “As I’ve campaigned all across King County, I’ve listened to many people who’ve told me finding a job is their biggest concern. Elected officials at all levels must play a more aggressive role in revitalizing our regional economy and creating family-wage jobs.”
“Jobs Now” has six primary areas of focus:
- Building regional infrastructure
- Enhancing the business climate
- Improving job training
- Advocating for credit, lending, and access to capital for businesses
- Implementing “development-oriented transit”
- Creating green collar jobs
The Sound Transit 2 (ST2) expansion alone is projected to bring 69,000 jobs to the region and inject billions of federal dollars into our local economy—but only if it’s managed properly. Since 2006, Phillips has chaired the oversight committee responsible for bringing the light rail initial segment in on time and more than $100 million under budget. “Jobs Now” lays out Phillips commitment to keeping major projects like ST2 and the viaduct replacement on track, identifying opportunities to invest in critical infrastructure, effectively leverage federal stimulus dollars, and get the most bang for the buck with transit decisions that promote private investment.
“Jobs Now” also includes Phillips’ plan to improve the business environment in King County by reforming permitting, contracting, procurements, and human resource operations. Additionally, Phillips will use his role as Executive to advocate on behalf of local businesses to get credit markets moving again.
Building on Phillips’ Greenprint for King County, “Jobs Now” commits to harnessing the clean-energy revolution to bring green collar, family-wage jobs to King County. It also emphasizes increasing job training and apprenticeship opportunities. Phillips will work with labor, businesses and educators to launch “Job Star,” a website to connect job seekers to the current and future sectors of our local economy in need of workers.
“I see a bright future in King County – no matter what storm clouds we may face today,” said Phillips. “We must – and will – tackle and overcome the challenges we face in our economy and environment.”
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