Gov. Gregoire's statement on end of special session

For Immediate Release: May 25, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire tonight issued the following statement on the end of the special session:

�This session was no doubt the most difficult in recent memory. But we�ve turned a corner in Washington state. With a new spirit of bipartisanship, we�re significantly transforming Washington state government to help move us beyond the worst economic downturn in 80 years.

�We�ll walk away from this session with a stronger sense of partnership and cooperation � as well as a balanced budget that ensures we have the financial resources to provide core services now and into the future. And we developed that balanced budget with no new revenue, with no short-term fixes and with no budget gimmicks. We did it by tackling long term costs, by making government leaner and more efficient and by implementing innovative reforms that ensure the state can continue to provide critical services like health care, education and public safety.

�Additionally, we passed major legislation to spur job creation and strengthen our economic recovery. At the state level, we passed a transportation budget that will put 30,000 people to work. Our capital budget sustains another 15,000 jobs. And we passed major reforms to give our businesses the confidence they need to start hiring again � including significant changes to our workers compensation system, and a reduction in unemployment insurance rates. To help our families during these tough times, we provided a temporary increase in unemployment benefits to 70,000 Washingtonians.

�Along with the many needed changes, we also made cuts that will touch real lives. The decisions we made required deep, painful reductions to programs in every area. Some were eliminated entirely.

�No area of our budget was left untouched. Everyone shared in the sacrifice that these times have called for. Our state employees gave, our teachers gave, our retirees gave and I thank them. They have been part of the solution.

�I commend our lawmakers � especially Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, House Speaker Frank Chopp and Minority Leader Richard DeBolt � who worked tirelessly to reach this point. We know we have more work to do, but we�re moving forward with a new spirit of bipartisanship to enact reforms that ensure Washington state gets through this crisis � and more importantly lays the foundation for a more sustainable future.�