Gregoire’s team acclaims news on economy

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire’s administration was in full “spin” cycle Monday, touting the growing strength of the state economy on her watch.

Welfare rolls have dropped to the lowest level in decades, international trade is booming, revenue projections are soaring, and the state is getting a new plug in Forbes magazine, the Democratic governor’s senior aides and Cabinet officials said.

“The theme here is the economic success of Washington,” said Tom Fitzsimmons, Gregoire’s chief of staff and top adviser. “Things are going really well for Washington citizens, for Washington businesses.”

Gregoire, just back from a trade mission to Mexico and dedication of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, was under the weather Monday, but Fitzsimmons, the state trade director and the secretary of social and health services kept her regularly scheduled news conference. They turned it into a bragging session for the administration.

“We have woven together a few connectors” to give current examples of the booming economy on Gregoire’s watch, Fitzsimmons said. The three gave these points:

•Welfare caseloads have fallen to below 50,000 families for the first time since 1979, and as a percentage of state population, are the lowest in 40 years. More than 100,000 families were on welfare just before the state and federal government adopted welfare reform in the mid-1990s.

Over time, 175,000 parents have left the welfare rolls and have stayed off, said Robin Arnold Williams, DSHS secretary.

•Tax revenue continues to roll in as the economy shows great strength, he said. Since Gregoire took office in 2005, the 10 quarterly forecasts have risen by $3.2 billion and tax collections were up another $58 million last month, he said. Unemployment is the lowest in years.

•Foreign trade is booming, said Trade Director Juli Wilkerson, just back from what she called “a truly successful” trade mission to Mexico.

Boeing airplanes, including the new 787 Dreamliner, will continue to head the export hit parade, and many other Washington businesses, including wineries and agriculture, are finding foreign markets, she said. Washington and the U.S. will continue to combat trade barriers and tariffs, such as the heavy levy on Washington apples, she said.

•The state is getting invaluable buzz as a great place to do business, Fitzsimmons said, offering to hand around copies of a rosy analysis from Forbes.com that lauds the state’s competitive and innovative spirit.

State Republicans said Gregoire is taking credit for good times that she had little to do with.

“Anytime you’re governor and good things happen, you’re going to take credit for it, regardless of your party,” said state GOP Chairman Luke Esser. “When you unpeel the onion a bit, you’ll see a fuller story.”