Lisa Janicki, AWB's new secretary-treasurer, gave lawmakers a list of her recommendations last week, starting with retaining the sales tax exemption for manufacturing.
Retaining the research and development tax credit is also a good idea, Janicki said, along with consolidating the state's numerous workforce development programs, shifting eduation dollars away from administration and into classrooms, and finally -- restoring common sense to regulatory agencies.
Janicki, chief financial officer for Sedro-Woolley-based Janicki Industries, offered the suggestions Friday at a meeting of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development & International Relations.
The meeting focused on ways that Washington can use the development of composite materials to boost the economy.
Janicki Industries is one of Washington's carbon fiber success stories, so her suggestions bear consideration. The family business has evolved from a wood fiber company to a carbon fiber company, developing products for aerospace, alternative energy, marine and transportation markets.
It's also grown sharply over the last 10 years, going from 103 employes in 2002 to 605 today.
If you're pressed for time, check out Janicki's summary of her remarks below, which includes a reminder for lawmakers to review the AWB Institute's report, "2012 Challenges & Opportunities for Manufacturers in Washington State."
Her full remarks, including details about products the company makes and its history of growth, can be seen here:
