If Washington wants to lead, we must strengthen our innovation economy | Opinion

Washington has always been a place where big ideas take flight. Our history is built on innovators who weren’t afraid to push boundaries, from aerospace engineers to the tech pioneers who transformed a small Redmond software company into a global powerhouse.

Innovation isn’t just a chapter of our past; it’s the reason Washington became an economic engine in the first place.

But that reputation isn’t guaranteed. Other states are moving aggressively to attract emerging technologies, build research hubs, and set the stage for the next wave of economic growth.

Meanwhile, Washington is standing still — at a moment when standing still means falling behind.

A recent article in GeekWire laid out the challenge clearly: Washington “has the pieces for a quantum ecosystem,” but lacks a coordinated strategy and the investment needed to keep pace. We have world-class research institutions, major tech companies, and hardware innovators. Yet, without a statewide game plan, other states will seize the opportunities we hesitate on.

The Association of Washington Business underscored this in its new “Washington in the Making 2024” report — a long-term, people-driven economic vision shaped by thousands of voices across the state.

The report highlights what we must do to stay competitive: strengthen our innovation environment, modernize infrastructure and build a workforce prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Its message is blunt: Unless Washington puts a stronger focus on innovation and competitiveness, we will lose ground, leaving the state to move more slowly and think smaller.

These insights should be a wake-up call, especially in the Tri-Cities, where innovation is not theoretical but the foundation of our economy.

From the advanced research happening at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to ag-tech breakthroughs supporting one of the world’s most productive farming regions, our region shows exactly how research and innovation translate into real jobs and real opportunity.

Innovation isn’t an abstract concept reserved for labs or startups. It shapes whether our kids can build their futures here, whether employers see Washington as a place worth investing in, and whether we can maintain the economic strength that supports healthy, resilient communities.

And during periods of economic uncertainty — like our state now faces — strategic investment becomes even more critical, not less.

Breakthroughs in AI, advanced computing, quantum technologies, energy innovation, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and biotech are reshaping the global economy, and they are reshaping it now. States that invest today will capture tomorrow’s job growth. States that hesitate will watch those jobs go elsewhere.

Washington cannot afford to hesitate.

Our economy is flashing warning signs: slower job growth, softer manufacturing output, and concerns from national analysts about recessionary pressure.

The latest revenue forecast shows Washington adding only 11,000 jobs in 2025, followed by zero job growth in 2026. For a state that once reliably led the nation, this represents a serious shift.

And talent always follows opportunity. If Washington does not provide clear pathways for innovation and economic expansion, workers and employers will choose states that do. Once that shift happens, it becomes incredibly difficult to reverse.

Our regulatory and tax environment adds to the challenge. Washington currently ranks near the bottom nationally for tax competitiveness.

Complex regulations routinely delay or discourage commercialization. We’ve seen this erosion before in aerospace, and we are seeing it again as cloud-computing and technology investments migrate to states with clearer, faster processes.

Leadership isn’t something we can take for granted. It must be earned and renewed continuously.

That’s why I’m introducing my updated MATCHED bill in the 2026 session.

This streamlined, fiscally responsible proposal would provide matching support for federal, private and philanthropic research grants. It gives Washington’s innovators the ability to compete for transformative funding without placing unnecessary strain on the state budget. By allowing private investment to serve as part of the match, this approach amplifies outside resources and accelerates innovation at a fraction of the cost.

It’s exactly the kind of targeted tool Washington needs to grow and diversify our economy.

Even if the revenue forecast tightens, we cannot afford to shrink our vision. Cutting back on innovation won’t solve our economic challenges. It will cement them. If we want to grow jobs, retain talent and keep Washington competitive, we must invest intentionally in the sectors that will define the future.

Every generation of Washingtonians has faced a moment when we had to decide whether to lead or follow. This is our moment. The question is simple: will we build a state where innovation thrives, or will we allow others to define the future without us?

I believe Washington should lead boldly, strategically, and with confidence in what we can achieve together.

Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, represents the 8th Legislative District. She is the ranking Republican on the House Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee.