Brief Description: Urging Congress to fully restore funding for the manufacturing extension partnership program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Schmidt, T. Sheldon, Shin, Hale, B. Sheldon and McAuliffe).

Hearing Date: 2/24/04

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

In 1989, the U.S. Congress created the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) in the U.S. Department of Commerce to foster manufacturing competitiveness. As a result, every state in the nation, as well as Puerto Rico, have created MEP centers. In Washington, the MEP center is Washington Manufacturing Services (WMS). The WMS is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps small manufacturers stay competitive. The MEP funding model is one-third federal money, one-third state and local government funds, and one-third private fees and revenues.

The WMS can provide services related to lean manufacturing, industrial marketing, quality assurance, environmental impact reduction, safety, safe quality food, workforce training, energy, product development, assessment and benchmarking, industry network development, and best manufacturing practices.

Summary of Bill:

The joint memorial communicates to President George W. Bush, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce Donald L. Evans, the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the U.S. Congress, and the Washington state congressional delegation, the state Legislature's desire that Congress fully restore funding for the MEP program in the fiscal year 2004 appropriation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.