Gregoire praises House vote to approve support for education and jobs in Washington state

For Immediate Release: August 10, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House�s vote to approve a bill to extend critical Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) and education support to states, including Washington:

�I applaud the House�s bipartisan action today to support FMAP and federal education funding. This funding is critical for services that are the safety net for our most needy.

�Here in Washington, we�ve already had to make $5.1 billion in cuts to the state budget. Without this aid, we would have been forced to make further draconian cuts that would have put our economic recovery in jeopardy while eliminating services like medical care for children and low-income families. Investment in education and support for our people, especially in this economic time, is essential.

�I�m pleased the President expects to sign this bill into law quickly.

�I especially want to extend my thanks to Representatives Norm Dicks, Jim McDermott, Jay Inslee, Brian Baird, Rick Larsen and Adam Smith who worked tirelessly to secure this funding in the House. I also want to thank Speaker Pelosi for her leadership during this process.�

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