Our Voice: Thumbs up, Thumbs down
Another chance for Ex-Im Bank
In 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order creating the Export-Import Bank as part of the New Deal. The bank provides credit insurance, loans and guarantees to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.
The bank plays a critical to Washington’s trade-dependent economy. Or it did until ultra-conservative Republicans in successfully killed bids to renew its charter.
Opponents call it corporate welfare for big business interests like Boeing. Boeing uses the bank to facilitate exports, but so do 180 other exporters, including small wineries like L’Ecole winery in Lowden. The bank acts as an insurance program for small businesses like L’Ecole, which has about 15 employees. It finances and insures the purchase of U.S. goods by foreign customers. Without the security provided by the Ex-Im Bank the future expansion of exports by our wine industry and others, is in jeopardy.
The bank doesn’t “pick winners” as opponents contend. It levels the playing field for U.S. businesses striving to compete in a global economy as 60 other countries have similar banks helping their businesses. It isn’t “corporate welfare”. It facilitates the success of private industry and does so in a way that generated over $1 billion to the U.S. Treasury through fees charged for its services. That’s $1 billion in government revenue not generated by taxes, gone.
In the next week or so those guilty of participating in this damaging and illogical act will have a chance to redeem themselves. A majority of House members recenttly signed a discharge petition which will force a vote on reauthorization. It appears there’s growing support in the House and Senators Cantwell and Patty Murray are championing renewall efforts in the Senate.
We urge you to urge your representatives to support a long-term reauthorization for the Export-Import Bank. Go to action.exportersforexim.org.
Unable to bury loved ones
When 9-month-old Serenity Reedy was murdered in 2013, it took almost four months before a funeral could be held for the Richland infant.
While her family waited to say goodbye, her body was stored at the Benton County Coroner’s Office at the request of her killer’s defense attorney. Mid-Columbia coroners and funeral home directors say it has become common for homicide victims’ bodies not to be released for months, causing unnecessary pain for already grieving families.
The Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners says most counties in the state release bodies much faster than Benton and Franklin counties. This is something county officials on both sides of the river need to address.
This story was originally published October 17, 2015 at 10:13 PM with the headline "Our Voice: Thumbs up, Thumbs down."