Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 24, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke calls Legislature back to Olympia for second special session

OLYMPIA - Noting that there is much work remaining on the state budget and other issues such as education and transportation, Gov. Gary Locke today called the state Legislature into a second special session to convene on June 4.

Locke made his remarks this morning at a press conference in Olympia.

"Today, I am calling for a second special session of the state Legislature, to be convened at noon on Monday, June 4, to finish the people's business," Locke declared.

"Thus far in the special session, the Legislature has passed only six bills. By the close of business today, I am hopeful that the Legislature will act on the environmental permit streamlining bill for transportation," Locke said.

"There is still much work to be done on other important issues such as the budget, education, transportation, sex offender housing and fixing the state's primary system. It's very disappointing," the governor stated. "The budget must be finalized by June 30. We must hold our schools and school districts accountable for student achievement and we must solve the transportation mess."

Referring to one of his top policy goals, Locke said, "The people of Washington want smaller class sizes and they made that clear when they voted overwhelmingly in favor of Initiative 728 last fall. I will veto any budget that does not contain $85 million for the maintenance of class-size reduction that we started with the Better Schools Program."

Locke also called on the Legislature to take action on the comprehensive safe school plan and the anti-bullying bill. "Bullying is a serious problem in our schools today and must be addressed," Locke stated.

In addition to addressing the state's budget, the governor urged the Legislature to act on his transportation proposal.

"Let's first finish the job on permit streamlining, executive appointment of the DOT secretary and the other efficiencies that need to happen," Locke said.

Referring to his overall transportation proposal, Locke told the Legislature: "Improve on my proposal if you can, but something must be done."

To pay for the package, the governor proposed a 50 percent gross weight surcharge for trucks and a 2 percent sales and use tax increase for new and used vehicles. The package also calls for a 4-cent increase in the gas tax in January 2002 and a 3-cent tax increase in 2004.

The governor's transportation plan would give metropolitan-area counties the ability to form transportation regions. The transportation regions would provide local option revenue sources - subject to approval by voters in the regions - that would pay for regional transportation improvements.

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