Gregoire Says Education, Transportation, Must Be Focus As We Mov - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Gregoire Says Education, Transportation, Must Be Focus As We Move Ahead

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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - In her final speech before she leaves office, Gov. Chris Gregoire urged the Legislature to focus on education and transportation in the coming months of the new legislative session that started this week.
    
Gregoire said that the state cannot "cut our way out of" the $1 billion that will be needed as a down payment for education funding in order to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling, as well as the $3.4 billion needed by 2018.
    
She also said that transportation "is the backbone" of the state and funding is needed for several projects, including the Columbia River Crossing, Spokane's North-South Freeway and Snoqualmie Pass.
    
Gregoire, a Democrat, leaves office on Wednesday after eight years as governor.  Jay Inslee will be sworn in and give his inaugural address on Wednesday.

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