OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire is disappointed that her plan to eliminate some three dozen commissions was whittled down to only a handful.
Gregoire gave final approval to a bill Tuesday that would fully eliminate five committees and boards. Two other panels will no longer operate, but some of their duties are transferred to state agencies.
An initial bill filed in the Legislature would have eliminated 32 commissions and saved some $5 million per year. Lawmakers eventually saved many of the more prominent boards, and the final bill has negligible financial savings.
Gregoire says she had hoped the Legislature would make more cuts. She says state government often adds the commissions without ever looking back and asking whether they remain useful.
