OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire officially launched her second term Wednesday with an inaugural speech that called for bold government reform, a new commitment to volunteer work, and a state-level economic boost designed to pair with the promised federal stimulus package.
Confronting an economic meltdown that has left state budgets nationwide in tatters, Gregoire called on legislators to quickly pass economic recovery plans she hopes will speed up nearly $1 billion in public works projects, give employers tax breaks, and expand jobless benefits.
Calling the current economic climate “the most difficult and trying times maybe since the Great Depression,” Gregoire also challenged all Washingtonians to give at least an hour of their time each month to help others in need, and to increase donations to Washington food banks.
“For us — and for all Washingtonians — there are two words that will define us as we confront the challenge and seize the opportunity,” Gregoire said, in remarks as prepared for delivery. “Those words are courage and generosity.”
The Democratic governor’s inaugural address, given to a joint session of the recently convened Washington Legislature, was the capstone of a highly ceremonial day that saw Gregoire and other statewide elected officials sworn into office for new terms.
The pomp and tradition, however, belied a current of dread running through the statehouse, where majority Democrats and minority Republicans will have to solve a budget deficit of about $6 billion.
Gregoire’s convincing re-election in November, which helped erase lingering uncertainty stemming from her whisper-close first election in 2004, showed in some of the strong language Gregoire used to frame the work ahead.
Her call for government reform, for instance, distinctly called out the three statewide agencies in charge of natural resources regulation as an example of government overkill.
“It will take courage,” Gregoire’s speech said. “But the time has come to put our sacred cows out to pasture forever.”
Gregoire also hinted at more to come in several areas, promising a “Washington Jobs Now” plan on Thursday, to be joined by government reform package and a temporary change in unemployment insurance policy.
She already has started the Legislature’s budget work by proposing a no-new-taxes plan to balance the state’s finances by relying on spending cuts, money transfers and a federal bailout.
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