01/06/05 Gregoire on issues: ag and re-vote

Washington Ag January 6, 2005 Governor-elect Christine Gregoire says she doesn't know yet whether she will move forward with Governor Locke's Columbia River Initiative, but says she will support plans to build new water reservoirs. The Democratic Gregoire spoke at a forum for AP reporters and editorial writers, where she also said it is likely that 24-million dollars for a bioproducts building for Washington State University Tri-Cities will be in her state construction budget. It was not in Locke's budget. Meanwhile, the petition drive to get the state legislature to have a re-vote for governor continues. Chad Henneman, a Dino Rossi supporter and Tonasket area rancher, is one of those in agriculture who has been forwarding on emails he's been getting urging people to sign on to an electronic petition calling for a re-vote. Henneman acknowledges that getting a Democratically controlled legislature to approve a re-vote is a long shot, but; Henneman: "You know the media is a very powerful influence. If they get enough people it is similar to an initiative. If you get enough signatures it at least gets some attention." State Republican leaders have planned a re-vote rally in Olympia next Tuesday, the day before Gregoire's inauguration. Democratic leaders in the state legislature say the election is over. I'm Bob Hoff.