Gov. Christine Gregoire announces plan to create economic development partnership with Oregon

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2005

Gov. Christine Gregoire announced today a plan to work with Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to immediately begin developing plans for a partnership on economic development for Washington and Oregon.

Both governors will assign staff to begin developing a plan, she said.

�Washington and Oregon can, and must, be partners on many issues, particularly on infrastructure such as the bridges between the two states,� Gov. Gregoire said. �I look forward to forming a real partnership with our friends in Oregon.�

Gov. Gregoire and Gov. Kulongoski have spoken several times since her inauguration Jan. 12 about issues such as the Gorge Commission, the Northwest Power Planning Council, the Columbia River, ports and other issues.