The present technology relates generally to aqueous dispersion or emulsion compositions that include a polymeric binder resin and an ether amine. Specifically, the polymeric binder resin includes acid functional groups, at least a portion of which are neutralized by the ether amine such that the polymeric binder resin is dissolved or dispersed in the water, provided that the polymeric binder resin is not a polyurethane and the ether amine is a compound of formula I: wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C4 alkyl or C3-C4 cycloalkyl group; or R1 and R2, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a C4-C5 membered heterocycloalkyl ring; A is a C1-C6 alkylene or C1-C6 cycloalkylene ring; and R3 is C1-C4 alkyl or C3-C4 cycloalkyl group; provided that the compound of formula I contains no more than 10 carbons.