Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 16, 2003
Contact: Michael Marchand or Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Office, 360-902-4136
“This legislation is vital to the short- and long-term health of our state,” Locke said at his weekly news conference. “We need to strengthen graduation requirements, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and keep our roads safe and create jobs.”
The governor highlighted a number of key bills he supports:
Education
Locke stressed passage of his executive request legislation implementing a Certificate of Mastery graduation requirement by 2008 and identifying which content areas and examinations on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) would be used for the Certificate of Mastery.
House Bill 2124 would establish reading, writing and mathematics as the assessment areas for the Certificate of Mastery in 2008, and add science in 2010. In addition, this legislation would provide for appropriate alternative assessments and WASL retake opportunities.
“We need to focus on the basics,” Locke said. “This legislation would establish a meaningful and predictable graduation requirement while still supporting the high expectations that we have set for students in our state.”
The governor also supports House Bill 2195, which makes other WASL tests voluntary, including social studies, arts, and physical fitness and health.
Prescription Drugs
The governor also stressed the need for action on prescription drug legislation to develop a preferred drug list, prescription drug purchasing consortium and establish a senior prescription drug information clearinghouse.
Locke had requested legislation, House Bill 1214, early in session , and House and Senate leadership have been working toward an agreement on the issue.
“I am pleased with the progress the Legislature has made with my original request legislation,” Locke said. “Legislative leaders and I are in agreement that we need to take proactive steps to stop the spiraling costs of prescription drugs and provide better drug coverage for the people of Washington.”
The prescription drug bill would allow the state Health Care Authority administrator to establish a broad-based purchasing consortium of state agencies, senior and uninsured individuals to obtain better, less expensive prescription drugs. The proposed senior prescription drug clearinghouse would assist seniors and others navigate the complex array of free, charitable and low-cost drug assistance programs through a statewide toll-free phone number.
It is estimated that there are more than 50,000 older people living in Washington who are of modest income and without any form of prescription drug coverage.
Transportation
The governor continues to work with House and Senate leadership on a legislative solution for transportation. Locke has initiated a series of weekly meetings between legislative leaders and stakeholder groups to help bridge the gap between the two plans and recently unveiled his own compromise plan.
“While we have made good progress over the past three weeks, we must close the deal on a workable transportation solution – one that will pass both houses, and one that I can sign” Locke said. “Time is running out. Our state and our economy need these jobs and transportation improvements. I will work nights and weekends to help legislators reach a final agreement. We need a solution now.”
Key topics of negotiation are the amount and phasing of the gas tax, the mix of non-highway funding, and final agreement on a project list.
Water
The governor also mentioned several key water bills that continue to move through the legislative process. These bills address water rights, storage and quality issues that are essential to the state’s economic and environmental vitality.
The last day of the regular legislative session is April 27.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 16, 2003
Contact: Michael Marchand or Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Locke Calls For Action on Key Legislative Issues
With a week and a half left in the regular legislative session, Gov. Gary Locke today called for the House and Senate to take action on key education, prescription drug, transportation and water bills.“This legislation is vital to the short- and long-term health of our state,” Locke said at his weekly news conference. “We need to strengthen graduation requirements, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and keep our roads safe and create jobs.”
The governor highlighted a number of key bills he supports:
Education
Locke stressed passage of his executive request legislation implementing a Certificate of Mastery graduation requirement by 2008 and identifying which content areas and examinations on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) would be used for the Certificate of Mastery.
House Bill 2124 would establish reading, writing and mathematics as the assessment areas for the Certificate of Mastery in 2008, and add science in 2010. In addition, this legislation would provide for appropriate alternative assessments and WASL retake opportunities.
“We need to focus on the basics,” Locke said. “This legislation would establish a meaningful and predictable graduation requirement while still supporting the high expectations that we have set for students in our state.”
The governor also supports House Bill 2195, which makes other WASL tests voluntary, including social studies, arts, and physical fitness and health.
Prescription Drugs
The governor also stressed the need for action on prescription drug legislation to develop a preferred drug list, prescription drug purchasing consortium and establish a senior prescription drug information clearinghouse.
Locke had requested legislation, House Bill 1214, early in session , and House and Senate leadership have been working toward an agreement on the issue.
“I am pleased with the progress the Legislature has made with my original request legislation,” Locke said. “Legislative leaders and I are in agreement that we need to take proactive steps to stop the spiraling costs of prescription drugs and provide better drug coverage for the people of Washington.”
The prescription drug bill would allow the state Health Care Authority administrator to establish a broad-based purchasing consortium of state agencies, senior and uninsured individuals to obtain better, less expensive prescription drugs. The proposed senior prescription drug clearinghouse would assist seniors and others navigate the complex array of free, charitable and low-cost drug assistance programs through a statewide toll-free phone number.
It is estimated that there are more than 50,000 older people living in Washington who are of modest income and without any form of prescription drug coverage.
Transportation
The governor continues to work with House and Senate leadership on a legislative solution for transportation. Locke has initiated a series of weekly meetings between legislative leaders and stakeholder groups to help bridge the gap between the two plans and recently unveiled his own compromise plan.
“While we have made good progress over the past three weeks, we must close the deal on a workable transportation solution – one that will pass both houses, and one that I can sign” Locke said. “Time is running out. Our state and our economy need these jobs and transportation improvements. I will work nights and weekends to help legislators reach a final agreement. We need a solution now.”
Key topics of negotiation are the amount and phasing of the gas tax, the mix of non-highway funding, and final agreement on a project list.
Water
The governor also mentioned several key water bills that continue to move through the legislative process. These bills address water rights, storage and quality issues that are essential to the state’s economic and environmental vitality.
The last day of the regular legislative session is April 27.
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