EXECUTIVE ORDER  89-08

Establishing the Washington State Growth Strategies Commission

WHEREAS, rapid growth in the metropolitan centers of Washington State has provided new jobs, it has also resulted in significant impacts on: land use patterns, traffic, air and water resources, open space and wetlands, affordable housing; and the ability of governments to finance public facilities and service improvements; and

WHEREAS, with the loss of economic vitality in other parts of the state, which has resulted in unemployment and migration of people to more populous areas, there is an additional strain on the ability of those local jurisdictions to deal with financial and operational demands; and

WHEREAS, there is no consistent mechanism on who will bear the costs of growth and how and when such costs will be met;

WHEREAS, a contradiction exists between our traditional values and our ability to maintain our present quality of life;

WHEREAS, the state is dependent upon the wise use of its resources and a coordinated and orderly growth process to enhance the quality of life for all Washingtonians now and in the future and for these reasons there is a need to create a temporary commission of citizens to investigate, debate, and develop comprehensive growth strategies statewide, recognizing regional diversity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Booth Gardner, Governor of the State of Washington, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby establish the Washington State Growth Strategies Commission.

The Growth Strategies Commission shall be composed of 13 citizens and four legislators representing a variety of perspectives from across the state. These citizen members will be reimbursed for travel and per them costs through the Department of Community Development.

The Commission must seek broadly based input from state and local government officials and citizens in developing its recommendations.

An interim report on the Commission's progress will be due to the Governor and the Legislature during the 1990 legislative session and recommendations will be submitted to the Governor by June 30, 1990. The recommendations should address but not be limited to the following issues:

1) The effectiveness of current state planning laws and regulations to coordinate growth and development and protect the environment.

2) By whom, when and how the costs of growth are met.

3) What state and or regional roles in growth management are appropriate for issues of regional significance such as transportation, land use, environmental quality, affordable housing, and economic development issues;

4) Incentives for local governments to coordinate and implement their land use, transportation, and capital facilities plans;

5) Incentives to share growth throughout the state.

The Growth Strategies Commission should review the variety of growth related state and local studies and reports that have recently been completed or are underway as an aid to completing the work.

The Washington State Department of Community Development will provide staff and other support to the Commission.

The Commission shall terminate on August 31, 1990.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the State of
Washington to be affixed at Olympia this
31st day of August A.D., Nineteen hundred and eighty-nine.

Booth Gardner
Governor of Washington

BY THE GOVERNOR:



Acting Deputy Secretary of State

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