Wash. Governor 'Angry' and 'Disappointed' Over Boeing Announcement

10/29/2009

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire says she's "angry" and "disappointed" that Boeing will builds its second 787 assembly line in South Carolina — not Everett, Washington. Gregoire made her comments Tuesday afternoon shortly after Boeing made its announcement.

South Carolina's win is Washington's loss. And Democrat Gregoire is clearly feeling the sting.

Gregoire: "I'm angry, I'm sad, I'm disappointed, I'm frustrated. I'm all of those things wrapped into one."

Gregoire is adamant the state could not have done more to woo the second 787 line. In the end, she says, it came down to labor versus management. Gregoire is not giving up on landing future Boeing production lines — namely the Air Force refueling tanker, assuming Boeing wins that contract.

Gregoire: "There will be other competitions to come and the first up is the tanker and I not only expect Washington to compete, I expect Washington win that tanker."

The Governor did not offer specifics on how she would accomplish that goal. Minority Republicans call the Boeing announcement "tough medicine" and say the state can and should do more to be competitive with other states — starting with reducing the cost of workers' compensation.

I'm Austin Jenkins in Olympia.

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