Contact Information

  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire�s statement on end of session

For Immediate Release: March 8, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire tonight issued the following statement on the end of the 2012 regular legislative session:

�Tonight�s lack of a balanced budget shouldn�t shroud the incredible accomplishments achieved during this short legislative session. Washington state became the 7th in the nation to pass a marriage equality bill, we made great strides in education reform, and we took action to improve our state�s competiveness in the global aerospace industry.

�With that said, disagreement still remains over how to close our state�s budget shortfall after three years of ongoing cuts. Knowing this would be a challenge, I put forth a budget in November and called for the Legislature to come back early to begin what would be a large task. They still have not completed the job, and as a result, I will ask the Legislature to reconvene Monday at 12pm to finish the job they came here to do.

�I have been actively proposing ideas, convening meetings, and bringing leadership together to assure that the job is done as quickly as possible. Knowing the scope of this challenge I continue to stand by ready to help and ask the Legislature not to rest until it finishes the job.�