The Legislature on Saturday sent Gov. Gary Locke the first bill of the 2001 session, responding to the double whammy of an earthquake and an energy crunch by approving emergency aid to families. The Senate unanimously approved a plan to provide $2 million for an energy-assistance program for needy households and grants for some of the homeowners who suffered property damage from the Nisqually Quaked that rattled the region 11 days ago.

Those state dollars will attract $7 million in federal aid under matching programs. The state share will come from the emergency reserve fund, which now stands at over $500 million. The bill already had cleared the House on Friday night, so the measure went to Locke’s desk for his signature – but not literally to his desk, since both Locke and the Legislature were evicted from the Capitol when it was damaged by the 6.8-magnitude quake.

The governor said he will sign the bill this morning outdoors, at the campus sundial between the office buildings where lawmakers are meeting in temporary chambers. Senate budget Chairwoman Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said federal, state and local governments have forged a remarkable partnership to help ease the impact of both the quake and soaring energy costs that force some families to choose between buying groceries or paying the light bill.

Peninsula Daily News March 12, 2001 Section C