WASHINGTON STATE LIFE SCIENCE DISCOVERY FUND

AT ISSUE
The United States currently ranks 17th in the industrialized world for number of students receiving science and technology degrees. The percentage of American attainment in these areas is thirty-one percent of all degrees granted, compared to China at fifty-nine percent. Washington ranked 46th out of 50 states in support of its own research universities. TCLC applauds the state Legislature for passing the Life Sciences Discovery Fund legislation (SB 5581) in 2005. The passage of this legislation was a critical step to increasing Washington State’s competitiveness.

TRI CITY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POSITION
During the 2007 Legislative Session, the TCLC will advocate for:
• Continue the state’s investment in implementing the Washington Life Sciences Strategy by keeping the commitment to fund the Life Sciences Discovery Fund Authority with tobacco-settlement funds starting the in the spring of 2008.
• The TCLC is supportive of the State providing the necessary start-up funds to establish an effective grant-making organization and to maintain the state’s commitment to collect and distribute the $350 million dollars in Washington State’s share of the tobacco settlement funds starting in 2008.
• Continued support of Washington’s and the Tri-City’s existing assets including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the State’s world-class research universities, institutes and companies.
• Invest in university research that supports business innovation and growth.

BACKGROUND
Beginning in the 1940’s, the Hanford Project created a knowledge economy based upon math, science, and technology that have sustained the Tri-Cities to the present. The Hanford workforce has declined by over 1,000 workers during 2005. Also, the Department of Energy estimates significant force reductions in the years to come. Scientists who are retiring with lifetimes of practical experience are, in many cases not being replaced, because of the lack of qualified
replacements. The Tri-Cities is working diligently to retain and grow a technology based economy. During 2005 the Legislature supported the Bio-Products Science and Engineering Laboratory, a joint venture between Battelle Memorial Institute and Washington State University’s Tri-Cities Campus. The passage of the Life Science Discovery Fund is a statement to the rest of the nation and to the world that Washington is committed to the advancement of the State and the Tri-City region as a major hub for technology and biotech/life sciences research.

For more information, contact the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce.