Governor Gregoire Appointed to Chair of Education, Early Education and Workforce Committee

For Immediate Release: August 7, 2006

Governors sign onto letter opposing federalization of National Guard

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire has been appointed by the National Governors Association (NGA) as the Chair of the Education, Early Education and Workforce Committee. She traveled this weekend to Charleston, South Carolina for the NGA�s 98th Annual Meeting, which focused on the state of health care and education.

�I am honored to have been selected to lead this key committee. As vice-chair, I felt that we made some good strides forward and I am excited to be able to continue our work,� said Governor Gregoire. �In Washington, we have reduced class sizes, provided pay increases for teachers, increased standards at day care and preschool centers and established a �Running Start for the Trades� program to provide pre-apprenticeship grants to students to pursue their interests. I look forward to the opportunity to share the experiences of Washingtonians with the rest of the country.�

The Education, Early Education and Workforce Committee works on issues in the areas of early education, elementary, secondary education and special education as well as workforce development and labor.

Governor Gregoire at the NGA meeting signed onto a letter strongly opposing federal legislation that would allow the President to federalize the state's National Guard during domestic emergencies without the governor�s consent. The legislation, which was drafted without input from governors, usurps their authority over their state's guard during domestic emergencies. The letter will be sent to Senate Majority Leader Frist, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker Dennis Hastert and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

�I stand united with my colleagues against this provision. I believe that governors, in coordination with frontline authorities, are in the best position to coordinate resources for any potential disaster - just like we are facing now with the forest fires in our state,� said Governor Chris Gregoire. �The Washington National Guard has worked extremely hard to plan for and respond to disasters in our state and the current process of requesting federal assistance if necessary should not be changed.�

In other NGA news, Washington is one of 13 states selected to receive a Healthy States grant from the NGA Center for Best Practices. The Health Care Authority and Department of Health will use the grant to launch �Washington Wellness Works,� a statewide wellness initiative to improve the health of state employees and retirees.

Governor Gregoire has directed that state government become a model employer as an important step to improving the health of all Washingtonians. She issued a directive to the Washington Health Care Authority and Department of Health requiring them to create and co-chair a Washington Employee Health & Productivity Committee. This committee will implement �Washington Wellness Works� for state employees, retirees and dependents.

States receiving grants have developed realistic, achievable and sensible plans to encourage healthy, active lifestyles in their states.

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