OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire is preparing to sign a bill that eliminates five boards and committees.
Gregoire had proposed the elimination of 36 commissions before lawmakers arrived in Olympia this year. An initial bill filed in the Legislature would have eliminated 32. The final bill passed by lawmakers eliminates only five: the Eastern State Hospital Board, the Firearms Range Advisory Committee, the Performance Agreement Committee, the Salmon Stamp Selection Committee, the Western State Hospital Board and the Home Care Quality Authority.
Two other panels will no longer operate, but some of their duties are transferred to state agencies.
Gregoire has said that many of the boards were created with good intentions but that the state can no longer has the resources it takes to manage
