Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire appeared before a joint legislative session Tuesday to give her final address as sitting governor.
Gregoire, who will hand over executive control of the state to fellow Democrat Jay Inslee on Wednesday, reflected on the challenges and accomplishments she met during her eight years in office—the second half of which brought great economic struggle to Washington state and the rest of the country.
“History will reflect that this was not just any eight years," Gregoire said. "You were not just any Legislature. And these were not just any times.”
How would you rate Gregoire's time in office? Tell us in the comments section.
Despite economic challenges, the state made several important accomplishments during the past eight years, Gregoire said. She specifically touted the beginning of construction on the new State Route 520 Bridge, a declining statewide crime rate, the closure of three prisons, and the way officials have begun to implement the Affordable Health Care Act.
Another key accomplishment, Gregoire said, was Washington becoming the first state where same-sex couples married after voter approval.
“We made the best decision for our gay and lesbian citizens, and the people of Washington agreed,” she said. “We clearly saw that separate but equal is not equal.”
Gregoire concluded her remarks by urging legislators to act immediately to better fund public education, as mandated by the state's supreme court. Funding for education and transportation infrastructure will be central to Washington's economic recovery and competitiveness in the global marketplace, she said.
“There is no free lunch. We cannot cut our way out of this; we cannot save our way out of this,” Gregoire said. “Today is the day. Now is the time. We must invest in our children and their future.”
Outgoing Attorney General Rob McKenna, Secretary of State Sam Reed and Auditor Brian Sonntag also made remarks before the joint session on Tuesday.
Inslee will be sworn in as governor on Wednesday morning at the capitol rotunda in Olympia. An inaugural speech and inaugural ball will be held later in the day.
Please, God, don't let her take anything that resembles a position of authority or management in the Obama administration.
"Governor Gregoire Gingers strength" There is even more than is in the video
Tribal receipts are not taxed by state or local governments, and Washington’s compact with the tribes does not provide for revenue sharing. All other states with tribal gaming have revenue sharing or provide at least some competitive equity for nontribal operations. The phenomenal growth of tribal gaming is driven largely by the tribal casinos’ exclusive operation of some 23,000 electronic scratch-ticket machines. The tribes have made it clear that maintaining their de facto monopoly on these machines is a top legislative priority for them.
That actually helps me put comments on Patch in perspective. They are not typcial folks commenting....some 95% seem to be to the right.
FWIW - 57% negative in WA is pretty bad. The trained seal portion of the population ensures at least 40% for the dems these days.
I Pledge Obedience out of Fear of Retaliation To the Masters in DC, Olympia, and University Place And to the Oligarchy, which it Disguises One Tyranny, Under Lucifer, In Perpetuity, With Corruption and Oppression of All. Supposedly, this kid would recite this under their breath during the morning pledge of allegience.