Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 4, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Statement from Gov. Gary Locke on the Senate's Proposed 2000 Supplemental Budget

Gov. Gary Locke said today that release of the Senate's proposed 2000 Supplement Budget means he and lawmakers can get down to final negotiations on a spending plan that reflects the need to improve education, provide property tax reduction and address services impacted by passage of Initiative 695.

The governor said there was much to praise in the Senate Democrats' proposal, which followed proposals last month from both House caucuses in the evenly split chamber.

Locke noted that the proposal includes some funding for class-size reduction and extended learning. "This provides a basis for more discussion on this important issue," he said.

The governor also said he was pleased that the Senate matched the House Democrats' commitment to spend $20 million in tobacco settlement funds to combat youth smoking. He also praised the proposal for its "recognition of the importance of transit systems and transportation in general."

"I look forward to finishing the session by midnight Thursday, and I am committed to negotiating some very difficult issues to make it happen," the governor said.

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