Remember the mantra from Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential election? At that time, his campaign emphasized, "It's the economy, stupid!"

Borrowing a page from the Clinton playbook, stakeholders supporting the completion of SR-167 need to remind our lawmakers that "It's the jobs!" (fortunately, most of our legislative delegation gets this, so we can refrain from using the word "stupid").

How many jobs? According to the project EIS, SR-167 is estimated to generate 948 direct jobs and up to 1,990 indirect jobs per year of construction. This is one of the reasons why Cement Masons & Plasterers Local #528 recently identified itself as a project supporter.

But we are also talking about long-term jobs. According to WSDOT, a completed SR-167 could fuel job growth to the tune of $10.1 billion. Then there are the jobs that already exist in Puget Sound that we need to protect. As Algona mayor David Hill said at a recent Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board meeting, "SR-167 is close to my heart. The manufacturers in my town will move elsewhere if this project is not done."

So if asked, "Why does the state need to complete SR-167?" just tell them: "It's the jobs, stupid!"