Evan Smith: Ryu on legislative joint trade committee

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Democratic State Rep. Cindy Ryu has won an appointment to the special joint House and Senate committee that oversees trade policy for the Legislature.

Ryu represents the 32nd Legislative District, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Woodway, south Edmonds and nearby areas in both King and Snohomish counties.

State House Speaker Frank Chopp, who announced the appointment two weeks ago, said that Ryu's "leadership for small business will be a valuable addition to the trade policy committee.”

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy was created in 2003 amid concern that international trade agreements could significantly impact Washington jobs and businesses — for better or worse. The bipartisan committee includes an equal number of Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate.

“I’m happy to be given a role on the committee that oversees trade policies,” Ryu said. “Export opportunities equal job opportunities, so it is very important that we have good trade policies to help our businesses compete in national and global markets.”

Ryu sponsored the new law that directs the state Department of Commerce to improve its services to small businesses. The law, which takes effect July 22, includes provisions that require the state to improve export assistance to businesses.

Ryu operated an insurance agency in Shoreline and was president of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce before serving one term on the Shoreline City Council from 2006 to 2009. She won election to the Legislature in 2010.