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Home / Washington Business - July/August 2006 / Points of View - The Governor: Working together to move Washington forward |
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Points of View - The Governor: Working together to move Washington forward |
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Written On: July/August 2006 |
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Written By: by Gov. Christine Gregoire, Democrat |
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This year I asked all legislators to join me and build on our past successes and accomplishments.
We worked together and delivered. I am confident that this session will be remembered for the bipartisan way that we worked together to move Washington forward and for several breakthrough accomplishments.
Unprecedented Savings
When I released my budget proposal last December, I said that we must make targeted investments that make a real difference for Washington families and set aside some new revenue to address future critical needs in health care and education.
The budget I signed in March does just that. We saved more than $940 million for future needs and made targeted investments in education, health care, environment, energy, transportation and economic development programs. Our budget keeps pace with service demands and provides for a stable pension system.
Landmark Agreements
Equity and stability were advanced in the unemployment insurance system when I signed a bill addressing the most troubling changes from the 2003 UI law. We fixed a tax system that costs employers more than necessary to cover weekly benefits and maintain a solvent trust fund.
We reached an agreement to help fight traffic congestion in the Puget Sound and focus on accountability and transparency. I recently appointed a Regional Transportation Commission, chaired by Norm Rice and John Stanton, to develop recommendations for future governance of Puget Sound regional transportation issues. I also appointed an Expert Review Panel to report on the costs and feasibility of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and SR 520 bridge replacement alternatives.
A breakthrough agreement on medical liability legislation will improve patient safety. We provided tools for the state to more efficiently buy health care by requiring an evidenced-based purchasing process and electronic medical records to increase quality care and reduce costs.
Twenty-five years of gridlock over Columbia River water management was broken when I signed a bill dedicating more water for fish, agriculture and communities. We built a consensus among stakeholders so the greater economic opportunities of the central and eastern parts of our state can be realized.
I was honored to sign historic civil rights legislation banning discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens in employment, housing, insurance and credit.
Targeted Investments
To help businesses we reduced the B&O tax for the timber and timber products industries as well as for aviation repair services. We also broadened two aerospace tax incentives to include companies engaged in research, design and engineering.
We invested in early learning so that our children arrive in kindergarten ready to learn. We consolidated more than a half-dozen child care and early learning programs into a cabinet level agency to work with the "Thrive by Five" public/private partnership.
We provided intensive instruction for students struggling to meet academic standards. We established "Running Start for the Trades" to help high school students enter apprenticeships and, by expanding bachelor-of-applied science programs to four Washington technical and community colleges, we increased opportunities for Washingtonians to earn four-year college degrees.
We invested in Puget Sound cleanup by supporting toxic cleanup, strengthened inspections of oil-related vessels and shore facilities and helped to restore estuaries and salmon habitat. Grants and loans are available to homeowners to repair and replace failing septic systems and to local governments for storm water projects and to improve our state parks’ wastewater systems around Puget Sound.
We supported the development of a biofuels industry by requiring a gradual increase in the percentage of biofuels in diesel and gasoline and by promoting private investment in the biofuels industry.
Early in the session, we provided $7.6 million to help low-income people pay heating and lighting costs this winter. We strengthened protection of children in state care by improving staffing levels to ensure caseworkers are able to respond quickly to reports of child abuse and make more frequent visits to children in our care.
My values and priorities are the same as any Washington family. Our accomplishments represent significant investments in education and a commitment to fiscal responsibility—it is what we want for our families and it is what Washingtonians expect.
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