Governor recruits business leaders to evaluate state's economic competitiveness Share Share Share Print Add News

Gov. Bob Ferguson has launched a new Economic Development Council that includes executives from some of Washington's largest employers and government, tribal and education leaders.

The new council takes shape at a time when the governor has been criticized by industry groups for supporting taxes and other regulations that have decreased the economic competitiveness.

The council will advise the governor on economic growth plans for his 2027-2029 biennial budget proposal, which is expected to be released by December.

Council members include leaders of major employers, such as Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope, Microsoft President Brad Smith and Amazon Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer David Zapolsky.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/06/26/economic-development-council-governor-bob-ferguson.html