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  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire's statement on joint budget

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the joint budget released this morning by the House and Senate:

�I commend the work of our lawmakers, who during the toughest economic times since the Great Depression, made the difficult decisions needed to balance our state budget. They took the right approach by not relying on short-term fixes or budget gimmicks, and they met my requirement to leave a sizable ending fund balance to ensure we have the resources needed to carry us through our economic recovery. I�m also pleased lawmakers crafted a budget that sets us on a sustainable economic path now and into the future.

�I knew in December when I announced my budget that a sustainable future required heart-wrenching decisions. These decisions will impact every Washingtonian � and many families will lose critical state services that they�ve come to rely on. As a final budget is approved, I again call on our communities to reinforce the state�s safety net, and help ensure that our most vulnerable are cared for.

�I look forward to continued work with the Legislature.�