Gov. Gregoire signs $130 million school construction measure

For Immediate Release: February 18, 2009

OLYMPIA � A commitment to local school districts that state construction funding will be available this year was signed today by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The school construction assistance fund is nearly empty due to lower than expected revenue and from districts asking for funds sooner than planned.

House Bill 1113 puts money back into the school construction assistance grant program, which school districts use for state assistance with local projects. The bill allows bonds to be reissued to restore the school construction fund.

Overall, 67 school districts and 159 construction projects could have been affected by the shortage in the fund. Nearly $130 million will be used to restock it.

�This legislation provides much-needed funding to school districts to help complete school construction and renovation projects,� Gregoire said. �During these tough economic times, there is nothing more important than to save construction jobs to improve our education facilities. I want to thank the bill�s sponsors and other legislators who acted quickly to pass this measure.�

Both Gregoire and prime sponsor Rep. John Driscoll, D-Spokane, stressed the importance of signing the bill into law early in the session to avoid school construction slowdowns.

"Good-paying jobs and better schools were on the line with this school construction bill," Driscoll said. "In a tough year, we're sending a message with this bill that our priorities continue to be on families, kids and quality schools."

�This is about creating jobs while building schools for our kids,� said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, chair of the House Capital Budget Committee. �It puts Emma the Electrician and Robert the Roofer to work today while investing in brainpower to boost our economy tomorrow.�



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