Personal income is up, the unemployment rate is low, and violent crime rates are dropping.
But many families still are struggling to keep pace with the rising health costs, to find adequate childcare, and to deal with the financial pressures of caring for aging parents. Improving crime statistics also are little consolation to those still victimized by criminals in their own communities. Governor Locke is proposing several major initiatives for the 1999 Legislative Session to promote the health and safety of people throughout Washington. Helping Working Families Meet Their Responsibilities Governor Locke believes that people have a responsibility to take care of themselves and their families. At the same time, he recognizes that working families sometimes need help to meet those responsibilities - particularly at a time when health care costs are rising much faster than most incomes.