Gov. Gregoire, Legislature position Washington for recovery, finalize education reform

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2010

OLYMPIA � At the close of the 2010 legislative session tonight, Gov. Chris Gregoire thanked members of the Legislature for completing �important work for Washington.�

�Much has been accomplished in these past 60 days,� Gregoire said. �Lawmakers continue to grapple with the worst economic downturn in 80 years. Despite our financial challenges, this session we made significant progress to improve our state and communities, especially in the area of education.�

Gregoire applauded lawmakers for passing comprehensive K-12 education reform legislation that will better position Washington state to compete for federal Race to the Top funding. The governor-request bill will ensure improvements are made at the state�s lowest-performing schools to improve student achievement, establish better evaluation criteria for teachers and principals, and encourage innovation by permitting local dollars to be used to increase achievement in science, technology, engineering and math.

�We had to make this happen, not only for Race to the Top dollars, but more importantly, for the success of our children,� Gregoire said. �I thank legislators in both chambers for their commitment to getting that bill passed. It required a lot of work and patience, and it paid off.�

Gregoire also praised the Legislature for responding to the tragedies our law enforcement community experienced last year by passing legislation to improve public safety. Lawmakers agreed to send voters a constitutional amendment that will allow judges to deny bail to suspects who pose a threat to public safety, as well as approved legislation that improves the support given to the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

In addition, Gregoire recognized lawmakers for passing legislation that will:

� Create a public safety review panel to recommend whether a person found not guilty by reason of insanity should be released from state custody.

� Address levy-equalization to help cash-strapped schools, as well as take the next steps to ensure every child has high-quality early learning opportunities.

� Take the next step to phase-in a new funding system for basic education.

� Lift the levy lid, and allow school districts to ask voters for additional funding.

� Allow work to proceed to replace the 520 Bridge over Lake Washington.

� Reform natural resource agencies.

�We have more to do,� Gregoire said. �Washington is at a turning point in our history. We need to get this right.�

Gregoire tonight signed a proclamation to convene a special session of the Legislature beginning Monday, March 15th, and has asked Senate and House leadership to focus on reaching a compromise budget and revenue package to close the state�s $2.8 billion gap, as well as legislation to create jobs. Gregoire is urging the House and Senate to complete their work in a seven day session.

�We have to move forward with a jobs package that puts more Washingtonians to work. Jobs are the way out of this recession. We need a package that puts people to work quickly,� Gregoire said. �And we have to find a balanced approach that combines difficult cuts and new revenue to fill our budget gap.�

Gregoire pointed out that state spending has already been cut sharply. Lawmakers approved nearly $3 billion in cuts during the last legislative session. This session, Gregoire proposed trimming another $1 billion from state services.

�I will continue to work with leaders in the House and Senate to find the right approach to cuts and revenue that will keep Washington on the path to economic recovery,� Gregoire said. �Under any of the budget proposals now on the table, we will have cut far more in spending than we will raise in revenue. Lawmakers have been working hard, and I know they will continue to do so until we reach an agreement.�