Gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna issued the following statement today in response to the release of the Washington Aerospace Partnership economic competitiveness study:

“Washington State is blessed as the home of the world’s dominant aerospace industry today, thanks to the generations of Washingtonians who have helped build the world’s finest airplanes at Boeing and work at hundreds of other aerospace companies here. That position is now threatened both by global competition and our state’s own actions – and inactions.

“The Washington Aerospace Partnership study shows that we can remain the world’s leading builder of airplanes, but our state’s leaders must act to stay competitive – starting with recommitting our state to improving our public school system. The study confirms what I have been talking about since I started my campaign, that our state’s long-term economic success depends on quality schools preparing our children to fill the jobs of the future.

“For too long, too many of our elected officials have taken the needs of our workforce for granted in this state, and put other priorities ahead of our public schools and universities. That will change in a McKenna Administration – I will work with Democrats and Republicans in the legislature to reform, renew and adequately fund our education system.

“We have heard warnings before – remember that it was 20 years ago that Frank Shrontz, then Boeing’s CEO, warned of our state’s growing lack of economic competitiveness. Hopefully this study will be the final wake-up call needed by those in a position to change things in Olympia now.”