Within his first month of office, Gov. Jay Inslee laid out an ambitious Working Washington Agenda to tackle his top priority – revitalizing Washington’s economy and boosting job creation.
Today, Governor Inslee signed key pieces of the agenda into law.
“I’ve said from day one that our top priority needs to be strengthening Washington’s economy and that’s exactly what these bills do,” said Inslee. “We’re helping bolster several key industries including aerospace, agriculture and clean energy. We’re strengthening STEM education, which is so critical to maintaining a competitive, world-class workforce. And I’ve taken executive action to improve employment prospects for our veterans and workers with disabilities. This is a strong start, and it’s just the beginning.”
Governor Inslee’s Working Washington Agenda included proposals related to workforce training, improving Washington’s business climate, growing key industries, and moving forward on health care reform and Medicaid expansion.
Among the bills signed by Governor Inslee today are:
- HB 1866, a bill to continue the new Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation, a joint industry-university research organization that pursues research and development opportunities.
- HB 1872, a comprehensive STEM initiative to improve education in science, technology, engineering and math.
- SB 5718, a bill to track development of a one-stop tax payment and licensing portal for Washington businesses called MyAccount.
Governor Inslee has also signed other Working Washington Agenda bills including his Yakima River Water, Jobs and Fish package, and operating and capital budget investments for a new Clean Energy Fund and a Clean Energy Institute at the University of Washington.
Not all of Inslee’s Working Washington proposals were successful. He noted his disappointment that the state Senate majority blocked a transportation package this session.
“We’re implementing many important strategies and tools for growing our economy, but Senate leaders failed to deliver one of the most critical job-creation and economic-development investments – a comprehensive transportation plan,” said Inslee.
Read more about Governor Inslee’s Working Washington Agenda successes.
# # #