Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 5, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Stresses More Jobs Now for Washington Workers

Gov. Gary Locke today urged the Legislature to pass his 2003 capital budget to create thousands of new jobs – a key part of the governor’s seven-point economic development package to move Washington forward and kick-start Washington’s economic recovery.

“Washington’s economic recovery depends on putting people to work,” said Locke, who this week begins a statewide tour to promote his economic recovery plan. “The sooner we can get a capital budget approved, the sooner we can start creating new jobs and helping the private sector generate new jobs for years to come.”

Locke’s seven-point economic recovery plan focuses on:
- Creating thousands of new construction jobs through building new schools, higher education facilities and public works projects;
- Capitalizing on Washington’s competitive advantage in international trade;
- Promoting state businesses and improving the climate for new business;
- Giving communities more effective tools to build Washington businesses;
- Promoting Washington’s emerging technology strengths;
- Improving education to create and fill skilled jobs for today’s competitive marketplace;
- Pushing Congress and the President for an economic stimulus package that helps our state’s workforce.

The governor emphasized that passage of the proposed capital budget would create new private-sector jobs at an annual average of 13,400 construction and related jobs during the next two fiscal years, and 11,000 jobs in the following two fiscal years. These jobs come from the $2.5 billion in spending for new public-works funding, including $223 million in new construction at universities and $312 million at community and technical colleges through bonding against lottery revenue and general obligation bonds.

“It is critical that we starting creating new jobs now. A number of the projects highlighted in the capital budget focus on new and existing construction that would put people to work right away,” Locke said.

Locke also touted Washington’s strong international trade presence and improving business climate. Examples cited include the recent success of trade missions touting Washington exports and this week’s opening of a Home Depot Import Distribution Center in Lacey, one of five national retail chains to open or break ground on regional facilities in the state in the last year.

New legislation and policy changes proposed by the governor also call for continuing to help communities attract new business, encourage the development of emerging industries, and meet future job demand through training and retraining programs.

Locke said he plans to spend time during the coming months touring the state to stress the importance of adopting a budget to create jobs.

“We must do everything we can to foster employment opportunities. Passing the budget is the first step,” Locke said.

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