Washblog

Last year, we began to move Washington forward by putting aside politics and boldly demanding change. We relied on the traditional Washington values of opportunity, responsibility and service.

In my State of the State address, I promised all Washingtonians that the Legislature and all of state government would build on that success. I called for further improvements in our education system and for increased safety for Washington's families. I called for improved access to health care and further development of our economy.

I am very proud to say that we have kept that promise. This legislative session may have been only 59 days but we were able to accomplish a great deal.

The state budget is a lot like your family's budget: make sure the kids get what they need to do well in school, pay the bills and save what you can so you can manage if money gets tight. This year I proposed a supplemental budget that would save substantially for the future; we have put aside an unprecedented $935 million for education, pensions and health care costs.

I also proposed investments in early learning, help for our high school students struggling to meet academic requirements, a down payment to clean up the Puget Sound, using alternative fuels to make Washington more energy independent, steps to prepare our state for emergencies and support for struggling families to help with health care costs.

These investments, along with the landmark agreements reached on civil rights, medical liability, Columbia River water management, unemployment insurance and regional transportation, represent real change for Washingtonians.

If you look at the work we accomplished this year, you see a spirit of bipartisanship. I often say that we can be an example for the 'other Washington' and these past two legislative sessions have certainly demonstrated that.

Sincerely,

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Moving Washington Forward

In This Issue

Unprecedented Savings
Targeted Investments
Landmark Agreements
Governor Gregoire's Bill Action
In Other News...
Unprecedented Savings
Since the adoption of the current 2005-2007 budget, revenue forecasts have gone up, resulting in a projected surplus of $1.4 billion.

Governor Gregoire's 2006 supplemental budget to the Legislature was about government living within its means. She proposed saving more than $900 million of the new revenue for the future. In the end, the Governor approved $935 million in savings for education, pensions and health care costs.

Targeted Investments
Governor Gregoire's bottom line for this legislative session was to focus any new spending on the state services that matter most to Washingtonians.

She streamlined early learning by consolidating more than half a dozen child care and early learning programs; and provided additional help to students struggling to meet academic standards. She also increased opportunities to earn four-year college degrees by expanding bachelor-of-arts programs to four Washington community and technical colleges.

Governor Gregoire worked to fund the clean up and protection of Puget Sound through the restoration of estuaries and salmon habitat and improved wastewater systems in the Sound and Hood Canal. She strengthened inspections of oil vessels and facilities to better prevent oil spills and improve hazardous materials spill response. She also signed legislation that secures water for agriculture, cities and fish on the Columbia River

She pushed for the development of a biofuels industry in Washington to help the state become more energy independent and create a new cash crop for Washington's farmers.

Twenty All-Hazard Alert radios will be installed along Washington's coast to warn residents of a tsunami and local health departments will begin to identify and address gaps in preparedness in the case of a pandemic flu. Governor Gregoire also provided funding for emergency communications equipment so first responders can talk to each other and to improve the ability to monitor law-breakers.

The first piece of legislation signed into law this year by Governor Gregoire has already helped low-income families pay heating costs this winter. She has strengthened the protection of children by increasing staffing levels to ensure that caseworkers are able to respond quickly to reports of child abuse and make more frequent visits to children protected by state child welfare laws.

Landmark Agreements
Governor Gregoire successfully worked to break through several logjams this session.

A breakthrough agreement was reached on medical liability legislation that could help improve patient safety. After a contentious initiative campaign, Governor Gregoire brought all sides to the table in good faith and was able to successfully negotiate an agreement.
Gridlock over Columbia River water management was broken when the Governor signed a bill that dedicates water to support stream flows and makes new water available for fish as well as out-of-stream water needs. Work began a year ago when the Governor convened a Columbia River Task Force to study the issue and build a consensus among all stakeholders.
Governor Gregoire requested and signed into law historic civil rights legislation that bans discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens. Similar bills have been introduced - and rejected - by the Legislature for nearly 30 years.
Equity and stability were advanced in the unemployment insurance (U.I.) system when Governor Gregoire signed a bill that addresses the most troubling provisions in the 2003 U.I. law.
A compromise was reached that will set a schedule to fight traffic congestion. The agreement on road and transit improvements will require a new focus on accountability, transparency and predictability.
Governor Gregoire's Bill Action
Governor Gregoire this week signed House Bill 2292, which addresses patient safety, reforms medical malpractice insurance and provides medical malpractice claim reforms.

She also signed Senate Bill 3278 and House Bill 6885, which restore equity and stability to Washington unemployment insurance law. The legislation addresses the provisions of the 2003 law that disproportionately reduced weekly benefits for women, people of color and low-income workers and taxed employers more than necessary to cover weekly benefits and maintain a solvent trust fund.

Please visit Governor Gregoire's website for information on other bills on which she took action.

In Other News...
Governor Gregoire and Washington legislators are receiving high marks from across the state for this past session.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Dems managed 59-day miracle
Yakima Herald: Legislative session earns good marks
Vancouver Columbian: In Our View - Grading the Session
Tri-City Herald: Legislature looks to east side
Tacoma News Tribune: Gregoire hit her stride this session, watchers say
Yakima Herald: Malpractice bill is a step in the right direction
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Roads and transit

Paid for by People for Chris Gregoire, PO Box 2114, Olympia, WA 98507