Governor Gregoire Discusses Jobs and Economy Accomplishments of the 2007 Legislative Session

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2007

VANCOUVER - Governor Chris Gregoire today discussed the jobs and economy accomplishments of the 2007 legislative session with members of the local economic development council and chamber of commerce, business leaders and elected officials at Silicon Forest Electronics, Inc. in Vancouver.

�Like any good business, we are making strategic investments to keep our economy growing. That is why we worked together this legislative session to invest in education to train the workers of tomorrow and targeted incentives that will support businesses today,� said Governor Gregoire.

Governor Gregoire toured the Silicon Forest Electronics, Inc. manufacturing facility and discussed the jobs and economy accomplishments of the 2007 legislative session with members of the local economic development council and chamber of commerce, business leaders and elected officials.

With Governor Gregoire�s leadership, the Legislature this session passed measures that will:

• Promote tourism;
• Invest locally to bring new jobs to Washington;
• Expand Small Business Development Centers;
• Turn research into products;
• Create an Innovation Partnership Zones program;
• Improve job market information;
• Expand new economic development tools;
• Reduce the cost of new business;
• Give business a break in Medical Aid payments;
• Ease taxes on rural small businesses; and
• Provide microenterprise assistance.