News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 26, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Signs Construction Budget into Law to Create Jobs, Aid Boeing

Gov. Gary Locke today signed a $2.57 billion construction budget into law to create more than 13,000 private-sector, family-wage jobs across Washington state and build vital facilities at state colleges and universities.

The biennial construction budget also helps finance a proposed rail-barge facility in Everett that would support final assembly of the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner.

The construction budget passed by the Legislature earlier this month is similar to Locke’s proposed capital spending plan offered last December.

“This bill is an important part of our strategy to help our economy and put people to work,” Locke said. He noted that the measure is expected to create 13,400 construction and related jobs in the next 24 months and 11,000 such jobs in the following two years.

The measure also provides $15.5 million in funding to design and build a proposed rail-barge facility in Everett to support the Boeing plant in Everett. Construction of the facility is contingent upon Boeing choosing to assemble the 7E7 in Washington.

“I’m very pleased that this facility is part of our proposal to persuade Boeing that Washington is the best place to assemble the 7E7,” Locke said.

The governor also noted that the package targets construction of higher education facilities intended to provide space for a growing number of high school graduates, an important step in assuring a capable workforce for a strong economy.

Locke has been traveling the state since February on his “Jobs Now” tour, promoting his capital budget and the thousands of jobs it would create as well as his seven-point economic recovery plan.

The package contains $580 million to build higher education facilities at state universities and community and technical colleges. The measure also offers $400 million in state matching funds for public school construction, including $33 million for enhanced matching funds.

Among other highlights, the measure contains more than $350 million for construction of 876 high-security prison beds at Walla Walla and 100 intensive management units for problem prisoners. In addition, the funding will be used to provide adequate juvenile, mental health and developmental disabilities facilities, and low-cost community housing for veterans, homeless children and migrant workers.

The capital budget is effective July 1.

# # #

MEDIA ONLY: For copies of the governor’s veto messages, please call the Governor’s Communications Office at 360-902-4136.


» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington