News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke urges city leaders to work together to improve transportation and foster economic growth

YAKIMA - Gov. Gary Locke today called on local government leaders to work together to improve transportation, find creative ways to offer essential government services at lower costs, and help foster economic development throughout the state.

Addressing the Association of Washington Cities annual conference at the Yakima Convention Center this afternoon, Locke noted the need for state and local governments to work closely together to solve common problems in providing the services with limited resources.

“I’m well aware of the tough budget choices you are all making these days,” Locke said. “With the impact of September 11, the recession and citizen initiatives, it may seem that all of us take two steps back for every one forward as we look for ways to deliver services that people demand, but with fewer and fewer resources to do it.”

The governor emphasized the need to fund statewide and regional transportation improvements to build the economy and ensure a high quality of life in Washington.

“Our voters and our economy can no longer afford to wait for somebody else on some other day to start solving our transportation problems,” Locke said.

The governor also addressed the need to find creative ways to deal with local government costs. He noted that his policy staff, key state legislators and representatives of the Associations of Cities and Counties have been meeting over the past six weeks to develop options that may ease financial strains on local governments.

“While their work is preliminary and ongoing, I’m hopeful that those options can range from the elimination of mandates on local government to a re-examination of which level of government should be responsible for certain tasks and programs,” Locke told the leaders.

In conclusion, the governor announced the latest development in his continuing work to foster long-term economic development in Washington. In mid-September, he will host the first-ever statewide summit on economic development. It will be held in Spokane with a focus on leadership, partnership, recovery and results.

“I know that economic development is as vital to all of you as it is to me, and I will be looking to all of you for ideas and help not only at this event, but beyond it,” Locke said.
Related Links:
- Association of Washington Cities


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