News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 11, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke urges legislative action on education and transportation proposals

OAK HARBOR - Gov. Gary Locke today pledged to remain focused on creating a world-class education system and tackling traffic relief for all of Washington while guiding the state through the energy alert and the drought.

Locke made his remarks while addressing the Oak Harbor Rotary Club.

Referring to education, Locke said, "We've asked for $8 million to ensure we have the resources to help school districts. Currently, the state Senate has appropriated zero for focused assistance. Let's put our money where our mouth is and stop talking about 'accountability' in the abstract - let's get it done for our kids."

Addressing another of his top policy goals, the governor encouraged Rotary members to support his $17.2 billion transportation package and asked for their help in getting the Legislature to act. Locke also encouraged completion of legislative work on bills that would streamline permitting and implement other transportation reforms that would save time and money.

"I urge you to join me in pushing my traffic-relief package through the Legislature - a package which, among other things, requires 85 percent of the new revenues raised in a specific area to stay in that area," Locke stated. "People in Oak Harbor and Freeland and Mount Vernon should not be responsible for the traffic messes in Seattle and Shoreline and Bellevue."

In addition to his transportation package and education proposals, Locke highlighted successes of the first legislative session, including passage of water, energy and education bills.

"We've reformed our archaic water laws that were redundant, wasteful and bureaucratic. We have developed and passed a sweeping energy package that addresses both conservation and generation," the governor said. "And we've passed alternative-teacher certification that permits a Naval Air Station Whidbey veteran or a retired Boeing engineer to teach in our classrooms without requiring further years of graduate education."

Locke concluded his remarks by calling on the people of Whidbey Island and Washington state to conserve electricity and water.

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