Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Referendum 71

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on Referendum 71:

�I respect the peoples� right to place a referendum on the ballot following legislative action. However, I am obviously very disappointed that this message will be debated once again. I signed the original bill and believe it should be and will be the law of our great state. Washington state has a history of fighting to ensure everyone � mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters � enjoys equal rights.�