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Gov. Gregoire holds roundtable with state business, labor leaders

For Immediate Release: December 8, 2008

Partners for economic recovery evaluate strategies

SEATTLE � Gov. Chris Gregoire today met with business and labor leaders from across the state for a discussion on economic recovery strategies.

�The nation is experiencing the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and we in Washington are feeling it, too. We have no time to waste � insight from this diverse and talented group of business advisers can help lift our state�s economy,� Gregoire said. �Foremost, we all must make the sacrifices needed to weather this recession as well as plan together for the best possible recovery.�

The governor remains committed to crafting a balanced budget without tax increases, which will be released late next week. She has met with President-elect Obama and her fellow governors to urge passage of a federal stimulus package to get people back to work. She also is preparing a state stimulus package to maintain and expand Washington�s competitive business edge.

The group met to discuss common principles designed to shape the state�s economic future and to position Washington to fully benefit from its unique economic strengths by keeping exports growing and continuing investments in technology and cutting-edge innovations.

�Today's dialogue among government, business and labor initiated by the governor is an important step in helping our state through this global economic crisis,� said Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel at Microsoft. �It�s imperative that we work together to preserve the safety net during these difficult times while maintaining the investments that are critical to growth, especially in higher education and transportation.�

Gregoire recently expedited the release of nearly $300 million in federal funds to help relieve distressed fishing communities, assist low-income households in paying energy bills and provide home weatherization jobs. In a November letter to Congress, the governor renewed her call for an economic stimulus package that includes more funding for unemployment insurance, food stamps and Medicaid.

Gregoire supports President-elect Obama�s call for a �use it or lose it� approach to distributing federal funds to the states. She called this a responsible way to accelerate economic recovery. The states will be expected to use this federal funding in an efficient way to put people immediately back to work or risk forfeiting the money.