Oregon Public Broadcasting

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has signed into law nearly $500 million in budget reductions. Tuesday's bill signing also stirred up a brief debate over whether to move the state's island lock-up for sexual predators to the mainland.

Gregoire signed the budget revision with only one lawmaker at her side, House Budget Chair Ross Hunter. Gregoire had hoped this month's special legislative session would produce a fully rebalanced budget.

It didn't so Hunter took the brunt of her ribbing.

"I know they will return to Olympia on January 9th ready to go, rested, tanned to tackle the remaining issues of the Washington state budget. Isn't that right?" Gregoire said to laughter.

An amused Hunter responded, "Tanned?"

But then a difference of opinion emerged. Gregoire was asked if she supports moving Washington's sex predator facility from McNeil Island to a mothballed faciliy south of Olympia. She doesn't think any community would say 'yes.'

"It's just virtually impossible to put the Special Commitment Center anyplace other than a remote island in my opinion," the governor said.

Chairman Hunter though piped up. He said the option of moving off the island has to be on the table.

"I don't know that they've ever had an escape from there and it's millions and millions of dollars a year," Hunter said.

Washington recently shuttered its prison on McNeil Island. But the lock-up for sexual predators remains in operation there.

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