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Gov. Gregoire signs supplemental capital budget

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed a supplemental capital budget that invests more than $1 billion in family wage construction jobs across the state. Combined with the state�s supplemental transportation budget tens of thousands of jobs will be created.

�Jobs are the way out of this recession,� Gregoire said. �I�m proud to sign a package that makes our state stronger, and invests in Washington�s future.�

Gregoire thanked state lawmakers for developing a bipartisan budget that spurs job creation and provides critical improvements to Washington�s educational facilities and transportation infrastructure.

The bill signing took place at Tacoma Community College. TCC is a direct beneficiary of the new jobs package allocating $39 million to the campus for construction of a new Health Career Center. The new 70,000 square-foot facility will accommodate the growing demand of health care industry professionals needed in the state.

Other educational beneficiaries include Washington State University, which secured $37 million for its Riverpoint Biomedical and Health Sciences Building, continuing their growing medical training and life sciences programs.

The capital budget also includes significant enhancements to our other vital sectors � economic development, housing and weatherization enhancements, sustainable energy improvements, natural resource preservation and local government infrastructure enhancements.

Additional projects the jobs package includes:
� $78 million for energy efficiency grants for higher education, K-12 schools and local governments to generate savings that can in turn be re-invested in the classroom.

� $153 million for the public works assistance for loans to local governments for sewer collection system improvements, water pollution control and storm water management.

� $216 million for natural resource improvements such as Puget Sound cleanup to ensure a clean environment that benefits citizens and businesses.

� $63 million for the University of Washington Bothell Phase 3 to expand a facility for science, technology, engineering, math, and health studies to help ensure Washington can complete in the global marketplace, and:

� $37 million for the Washington State University Spokane Riverpoint Biomedical and Health Sciences Building to secure Eastern Washington�s growing role in medical training and the life sciences.

Gov. Gregoire partially vetoed ESB 6074.