Testimony from Marilyn Watkins, Ph.D, Policy Director, EOI

For HB 5659, to the House Commerce and Labor Committee

Washington’s Good Economic News

• Jobs grew rapidly in 2005 and 2006
• Jobs grew in most sectors
• Jobs grew in most regions of the state
• Washington’s job growth rate (3.2% Nov. ‘05-Nov. ‘06) is well above the national average (1.1%)
• Washington’s lowest wage workers kept pace with inflation through the recession
• Nationally, productivity grew 3.1% annually 2000-2005

Washington’s Bad Economic News

• Recovery from recession is not complete –134,000 jobs short of level needed to match population growth
• Productivity growth has not gone to wages for the majority of workers
• Men earn less than in late 1990s
• Women’s earnings have just kept pace with inflation, and remain much lower