Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire used her second inaugural address to rally support for an economic stimulus package.

After being sworn in for another four years, the Democrat spoke to an audience of legislators and dignitaries. She’s proposing an increase in spending on infrastructure to help bring Washington out of recession.

Chris Gregoire: “We now have 1,400 transportation projects underway or about to start worth $3 billion. We combine that historic transportation package with my Washington Now Jobs plan, we can provide nearly 20,000 jobs to Washingtonians over the next two years.”

Republican lawmakers are already criticizing that approach. Representative Dan Kristiansen delivered the GOP response to Gregoire’s address. He says the state can’t spend its way out of the looming deficit.

Other state executives were sworn in Wednesday such as Attorney General Rob McKenna -- a Republican, Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark and State Treasurer Jim McIntire -- both Democrats.

Gregoire will celebrate the beginning of her second term at her inaugural ball Wednesday night in Olympia.