OLYMPIA, Washington—The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) works on behalf of public ports across Washington to advance the interests of ports with the state legislature—and beyond. Our success in protecting these interests requires leadership, vision and collaboration from state legislators who understand the vital role ports play in our state economy.

Since 2018, WPPA has been recognizing legislators who provide "extraordinary leadership and unparalleled vision" in advancing the importance and future of public ports for the residents they serve. This year, we are pleased to announce our selection of Representative David Hackney from Washington’s 11th Legislative District as a 2023 Compass Award winner.

Representative Hackney is vice chair of the House Capital Budget Committee and sits on the Transportation Committee and the Consumer Protection & Business Committee. In these committees Rep. Hackney has been a strong ally for ports’ core mission of pursuing trade and economic development initiatives that benefit their communities and the state of Washington. In this most recent legislative session, Rep. Hackney worked to secure passage of House Bill 1257, which extends the state’s antitrust immunity to port districts to help promote infrastructure investment and regional and global competitiveness. He has also been a strong voice supporting port investments in electrification through his holes at the Capital Budget and Transportation Committees.

Since coming to the Legislature, Representative Hackney has been engaged in port issues and has been a voice for ports in his Caucus. His leadership on legislation to ensure that ports can remain competitive through infrastructure investment was key to securing passage of House Bill 1257, a priority for WPPA this year. We are grateful to Representative Hackney for his leadership and we sincerely appreciate his committed partnership.

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As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was formed by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion. Learn more at washingtonports.org. 

CONTACT

Eric ffitch

Washington Public Ports Association

E: effitch@washingtonports.org

T: 360-763-1179