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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Business leaders tell of D.C. trip

With Congress unlikely to pass any appropriations bills until a change of presidents, a delegation of Eastern Washington and North Idaho business leaders who visited Washington, D.C., last week was told not to expect any immediate funding for local projects.

Greater Spokane Incorporated President Rich Hadley said the group was told a looming squeeze on spending triggered by entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare will crimp discretionary spending. But the trip built on an understanding of Capitol ways – accumulated during 18 prior visits – and sustained the Inland Northwest’s reputation for working together on regional priorities, he said.

GSI Vice President Amy Johnson said the pending farm bill could contain one nugget.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., is on the committee resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which President Bush has threatened to veto. One provision would make grants available to rural health facilities upgrading their information technology systems, including linkages to patient-record networks like that being pioneered by Spokane-based Inland Northwest Health Systems.

Hadley noted Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who chairs a subcommittee on transportation, can assist with priorities like new railroad overpasses in Spokane Valley. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., has spotlighted the region’s green energy initiatives and companies, he said.

Hadley said he was also reassured by a one-hour briefing from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley on operations in the Pacific theater, and how future plans will affect the deployment of new tankers – when a contractor has been selected.

Fairchild Air Force Base will be one of four to receive the airplanes, he said. Which ones will get them first has not been decided.

The group also met with Air Force Assistant Secretary William Anderson to discuss proposed construction projects at Fairchild, and with Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, who reviewed the associate relationships between regular and Guard units that have them sharing some airplanes.

To impress Pentagon officials on the importance of Fairchild, Hadley said, “It’s all about being in front of them.”

This year’s delegation included the largest-ever representation from North Idaho. Jonathan Coe, president of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce, was one of eight on the trip.

He said members promoted shared transportation needs, and sought support for a Higher Education Corridor extending along the Spokane River from the North Idaho College campus.

Coe said he was impressed by Spokane’s practiced approach to building relationships in Washington.

“We have a lot to learn,” he said.