Don Brunell

When Boeing warns that something is wrong, people listen — or at least they should.

Our state’s largest manufacturer Boeing, with more than a century of history in Washington, employs more than 86,500 people and spends more than $4.6 billion a year with vendors and suppliers throughout the state.

When it comes to Washington’s business climate, Boeing is our canary in the coal mine. When it starts gasping for air, something is wrong.

Gov. Jay Inslee recognized that fact when he moved to convince Boeing to build its next-generation 777 in Washington. Inslee formed the 777X task force and called...