OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire delivered the State of the State address Tuesday, retracing her steps of the past three years to conclude that Washington is on the path of continued social progress and economic prosperity.
“We’ve come a long way, from tough times and dour prophecies, to put our state back on track toward a safe, prosperous and healthy future,” Gregoire told a joint session of the Legislature.
“In the past three years, we have spent wisely and carefully to give our kids a better education, to make our families healthier and safer, and helped bring good family-wage jobs to this state,” she said. “And we have done all that while turning a huge budget deficit into a huge surplus.”
Republicans sat stoically through much of the Democratic governor’s 46-minute speech, offering tepid applause on just a few occasions.
They clapped most energetically when Gregoire lauded creation of a constitutionally protect emergency “rainy day” fund — which the GOP first proposed a couple years ago.
“It’s the kind of speech you’d expect of a person going into an election cycle,” said Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor.
In the second half of her speech, Gregoire blended past history with initiatives she’s pushing this legislative session, primarily the areas of health care, public safety and education.
She pressed lawmakers to support her legislative proposals to collect DNA samples from all convicted sex offenders and conduct national criminal background checks for out-of-state applicants who want to be licensed health care providers.
She also pushed for legalizing roadside checkpoints to nab drunken drivers. She said 251 people died in 2006 in accidents involving alcohol.
“That’s 251 preventable deaths,” she said. “We can protect privacy rights and we can prevent drunk driving.”
Gregoire said the state is home to a growing number of wind-power generators, solar manufacturing firms and biodiesel producers. It’s giving people work and helping the state reduce its impact on the environment. The state, she said, must keep providing that assistance.
“We are saving our planet and creating green-collar jobs,” she said.
And on transportation, Gregoire said the state is addressing congestion, maintaining roads and doing it all “with safety utmost in mind.”
She said the state must take down the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Highway 520 floating bridge before they collapse. “I announced our plan last week to build a new 520 bridge. It’s time. There is nothing to it but do it. And do it we will.”
Gregoire only briefly mentioned the state’s troubled ferry system. She didn’t mention U.S. 2, and that disappointed Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish.
“She came into our district and said Highway 2 would be her priority and she did not mention the state’s deadliest highway,” he said.
Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, said he had hoped to hear new ideas for dealing with convicted felons once they’re released from prison.
“There are some serious issues dealing with community supervision and the need to give our community correction officers more tools to do their job,” he said.
Gregoire also didn’t speak on the WASL, family leave nor her desire to launch a new University of Washington campus in Snohomish County.
Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, D-Lynnwood, suggested the silence reflects the fact those subjects are all sources of tension among Democrats.
“I thought it was a great speech,” Roberts said. “These are sort of the political version of Christmas parties. You don’t bring up the issue that will put Uncle Harry into orbit, even if he is a relative.”
Gregoire came off less wonky and more personable this year. She shared a humorous vignette of helping her eldest daughter prepare for her wedding.
Legislators laughed when Gregoire pointed out her younger daughter graduated from college and fulfilled “every parent’s dream. She has a job.”
And Gregoire praised Andrea Peterson, a music teacher at Monte Cristo Elementary School in Granite Falls who was the 2007 national teacher of the year.
The evening’s loudest applause came before Gregoire entered the chamber with a standing ovation with the introduction of John Lovick, the former state lawmaker and new Snohomish County sheriff who was seated in the gallery.
“I don’t know if that’s congratulations or if that’s because you’re not here anymore,” Lt. Gov. Brad Owen said.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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