Governor Gregoire Brings State of the State Speech to Spokane

For Immediate Release: January 11, 2007

SPOKANE � Governor Chris Gregoire today visited Hollister-Stier Laboratories, LLC, where she toured the manufacturing facility and discussed her proposals for job creation and Innovation Partnership Zones.

�Our economy must be based on a philosophy of �Washington grown and Washington owned,� with family-wage jobs for every Washingtonian,� said Governor Gregoire. �We can be a global leader by using smart strategies, emphasizing our advantages and forging strong alliances across regions.�

Governor Gregoire this week delivered her annual State of the State address to Washingtonians, outlining her vision for education and highlighting the accomplishments of the past year. She thanked legislators for their bipartisan work ethic and congratulated them on the responsible changes made last session.

�We have fought for change � responsible change. We demanded accountability - and the results are clear,� said Governor Gregoire in her address. �Thousands of children will have a better shot at life thanks to our new emphasis on early learning. We promised to provide health care to more children than ever before � and we delivered. We invested in renewable energy and green buildings and we curbed auto emissions. More people are working � 155,000 new jobs were created in the last two years. Together, we have taken steps to help forest land owners and farmers.�

Governor Gregoire�s proposal to help create jobs will:

• Expand the WWAMI rural education network to help address the shortage of physicians in areas of Washington not served by a medical school;
  
• Establish the Regional Initiative in Dental Education (RIDE) at WSU Spokane�s Riverpoint campus to address the need for qualified dentists, especially in rural areas;
  
• Turn research into products by increasing research capacity at the University of Washington and Washington State University;
  
• Invest locally with the creation of an Innovation Zones Partnership program that helps companies team up with research to drive the local economy with new skills and products;
  
• Expand all small business development centers and open new centers in Grays Harbor, Kelso and Pullman;
  
• Ease taxes on small rural businesses;
  
• Give businesses a break in Medical Aid payments; and
  
• Promote tourism by establishing a public-private partnership to attract more visitors to Washington.

Governor Gregoire�s vision for Washington reflects her commitment to world-class education, access to quality, affordable health care, job creation and other top priorities, including a new rainy day fund. Her proposed budget invests in:

• An education system families can rely on;
  
• An economy that offers opportunity for family wage jobs;
  
• Health insurance families can afford;
  
• An environment where families can thrive;
  
• Communities where families feel safe; and
  
• State government that is performance-driven and accountable to Washington families.

�We all want the same things for our families � quality education, reliable health care and good jobs. Our challenge is to stand in the shoes of our citizens, see the future through their eyes, and find common ground that provides changes Washington families can count on,� said Governor Gregoire.

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