Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 26, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs $22.8 billion state operating budget

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today signed a $22.8 billion state operating budget that continues Washington's commitment to improving public schools, protects vulnerable children and adults and makes the best use of the state's water and energy resources.

"This is a budget that is good for Washington," Locke said about the two-year spending plan. "It continues our commitment to reduce class sizes through the Better Schools Fund and Initiative 728. And it provides additional funding to improve school safety, to stop bullying in our schools and to help struggling young students keep up with their classmates in reading and math."

The governor thanked fiscal committee chairs Sen. Lisa Brown and Rep. Helen Sommers and Rep. Barry Sehlin. Locke also thanked Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder and House co-speakers Frank Chopp and Clyde Ballard for their efforts in passing the budget.

Locke said the budget approved by the Legislature last week addresses education needs by:

* Encouraging top professionals to become teachers and take their experience to classrooms

* Allowing dedicated teachers to be rehired by school districts after they retire

* Continuing the Reading Corps and Promise Scholarships

* Establishing a new Technology Institute at the University of Washington, Tacoma

The budget improves safety for the state's most vulnerable children and adults. It reduces caseloads of child-protection employees, improves foster care and creates safer conditions for aging and disabled citizens, the governor said.

"This budget also recognizes our water shortage by including funding that will help us provide water for our farms, cities and towns and for salmon in our rivers and streams," Locke said.

The governor said the budget addresses top public safety concerns including funding for a new special commitment center for sex offenders at the state corrections facility on McNeil Island.

The budget also funds a program to fight the methamphetamine epidemic, restricting sales of ingredients used to make this dangerous, illegal drug.

Locke said the budget respects state workers, providing a salary increase that works toward parity with salary increases for state-funded schoolteachers.

Locke also signed a $2.5 billion capital budget for the 2001-03 biennium. It provides important funding for new public schools and building projects at state colleges and universities. It also funds renovation projects at state corrections and mental health facilities and at state parks.

Finally, the governor signed a $3.4 billion "current law" transportation budget that he said continues existing transportation programs but is "woefully inadequate" in the face of serious traffic congestion problems.

Locke called a third special session of the Legislature to begin July 16 for action on a long-term state transportation plan, including new revenue sources.

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Related Links:
- Governor Locke's Major Accomplishments: 2001 Legislative Session

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