Please save the date for a May 18, 2012 ELGL luncheon featuring Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. Location TBD (likely in the downtown/PDX area).
This event is limited to ELGL members only. We’ll have the chance to discuss current events with Governor Gregoire, including her recent marriage equality bill, intergovernmental relations with the State of Oregon, and her reflections on her eight years as governor and twelve years as attorney general.
As Washington’s 22nd governor, Chris Gregoire has delivered real results to the people of Washington. Combining effective leadership with a tireless work ethic, she has shown time and again that she has the courage and independence to stand up and fight for individuals and families. Under her leadership, we are building a better future for Washington families.
Facing a $2.2 billion budget shortfall when she took office in 2005, Governor Gregoire balanced the state’s budget as she expanded health care coverage to low-income children, led an effort to make government more efficient and accountable, introduced a plan to create a world class education system, and launched a bold plan to save Puget Sound. In 2007, she proposed and the voters passed a constitutionally protected rainy day fund to help the state prepare for economic downturns like we face today.
Governor Gregoire introduced and won approval for a landmark transportation package to create jobs and address critical challenges with our roads and bridges. She established a dedicated fund to reduce class sizes, helped increase enrollments at our colleges and universities, and protected vital social services for the state’s most vulnerable individuals and families.
Governor Gregoire is committed to promoting and expanding business and creating family-wage jobs in the state of Washington. The governor’s “Next Washington” plan lays out strategies and initiatives to encourage business development and growth, and has helped lead to the creation of more than 200,000 jobs in Washington since she took office. Forbes magazine recently ranked Washington as the 2nd best state to do business. Fortune magazine recently ranked Washington in the top five to start a small business.
Reelected overwhelmingly by Washington voters in 2008 and facing a historic multi-billion dollar shortfall brought on by the uninterrupted, deepening national recession, Governor Gregoire continues to work with the Legislature to balance the budget while striving to support job creation and economic growth.
Chris O’Grady was raised in Auburn, Washington, by her mother, who worked as a short-order cook to support the family. She rode horses, picked blueberries and learned the value of hard work and a good education. After graduating from Auburn High School, Chris entered the University of Washington. She graduated with a teaching certificate and Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and sociology. She met her husband, Mike, in September 1971 when they both worked for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. Chris received her law degree in 1977 from Gonzaga University.
Chris and Mike have two daughters, Courtney and Michelle. Courtney is married to Scott Lindsay, and is an attorney. Michelle attends law school.