I’ve spent 15 years in politics, fundraising, and advocacy, and I didn’t encounter the term “techlash” until eight weeks ago, when I started at the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). That phrase describes a growing political instinct to view technology companies less as partners in economic growth and more as convenient targets.
In Washington state, that instinct is beginning to matter in ways we should take seriously. For decades, Washington has been known as a place where technology companies start, scale, and stay. A deep talent pool, world-class infrastructure, and a culture of innovation helped build one of the strongest technology ecosystems in the world. That success has been reinforced by a quality of life that continues to draw people and ideas here.
Other states would love to have what we have built. We cannot take our success for granted. Recent business climate rankings suggest Washington is losing ground to peer states, particularly when it comes to cost competitiveness and regulatory predictability. Technology remains the state’s largest private-sector job creator. These trends are early warning signs, not abstract metrics. They reflect choices about how welcoming and stable our policy environment feels to companies making long-term investment decisions.
Stability Matters
Technology companies plan in decades, not quarters. Data centers, research hubs, advanced manufacturing facilities, and startup ecosystems require large upfront investments and a clear understanding of the rules that will govern them over time. Predictability is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite.
As the 2026 legislative session progresses, lawmakers are advancing a range of proposals that would shape how companies develop and deploy technology, including new requirements related to artificial intelligence. Many of these ideas are motivated by legitimate concerns and good intentions. But, key details about how rules would be enforced, what technical standards should apply, and how overlapping policies would interact remain unresolved.
When those questions go unanswered, uncertainty grows. Individually, any one proposal may appear manageable. Collectively, they can create a policy environment that is becoming more complex and harder to navigate. For an industry that depends on speed, scale, and long-term planning, that perception matters.
Tech Is Mobile
Unlike other Washington staples such as aerospace, agriculture or retail, technology investment is highly mobile. Capital, talent, and expansion plans can shift quickly when conditions change. When investment pauses, growth slows. When growth slows, job creation and opportunity follow suit.
Once innovation ecosystems take root elsewhere, they are difficult to rebuild at home. These decisions matter because technology is not a niche sector in Washington; it is foundational. Tech accounts for 22% of the state’s economy and generates $138.7 billion in GDP (the highest share in the nation). Tech employs 9.4% of Washington workers, also ranking number one nationally. One study found that without the tech sector, Washington’s economy would more closely resemble that of North Dakota than that of a global innovation leader. Most states are competing aggressively to attract this kind of economic activity. Washington already has it. Protecting it should be a shared priority.
A Choice About the Future
We need smart, thoughtful regulation. The technology industry recognizes the need for safeguards, particularly around data privacy and artificial intelligence. But those safeguards work best when they are clear, coordinated, and grounded in the economic reality they are meant to serve. Many of these ideas can only achieve their goals if implemented at a national level.
Washington’s current trajectory is not inevitable. We can protect workers and consumers while also preserving the conditions that allow innovation to flourish. We can modernize policy without undermining the very sector that helps fund public services and supports communities across the state.
The question before us is not whether Washington can continue to lead in technology. It is whether we choose to protect what we’ve built and ensure that companies, workers, and investors can confidently see their future here.
Amy Harris, Director of Government Affairs at the Washington Technology Industry Association.
