Newhouse Statement on Governor Inslee Reopening Construction in WA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after Governor Inslee announced his decision to implement the safe reopening of construction in Washington state:

"I am glad to see Governor Inslee finally do what is right. The need to bring parity between public and private construction has been long overdue," said Rep. Newhouse. "Not only will reopening private construction ensure thousands of Washingtonians can earn a paycheck, but it will provide relief to families who have been displaced from their homes during this pandemic and will increase access to housing across our state."

He continued, "I applaud the representatives of both the labor organizations and the construction industry. It is because of your deliberate, thoughtful collaboration that this crucial sector for Washington's economy – and for our communities – is safely reopening."

It has been:

• 30 days since Governor Inslee banned private sector construction work, making Washington one of only four states in the entire country to do so;
• 25 days since Reps. Newhouse and McMorris Rodgers sent a letter to Governor Inslee urging him to reopen residential construction;
• 10 days since Governor Inslee's construction working group – made up of representatives of both the construction industry and labor organizations – provided their recommendations to the Governor on how to safely reopen construction;
• 7 days since both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature sent Governor Inslee a list of sectors to reopen, including residential construction.

According to the Building Industry Association of Washington, $23 million in family wages are lost every single day residential construction is shut down. Therefore, Governor Inslee's ban has resulted in:

• $230 million in lost Washington family wages over the 10 days since the working group's recommendations have been on Governor Inslee's desk;
• $690 million in total lost Washington family wages over the 30 days residential construction has been banned.