Gov. Chris Gregoire is the guest speaker for the Sept. 21 Suburban Cities Association Networking Dinner at the Tukwila Embassy Suites.

Gregoire, an Auburn native, shares her insights on the upcoming session of the Legislature, provides an update on the revenue forecast and discusses medical marijuana and liquor sales. She also discusses the activities and expectations of the Connecting Washington Task Force.

Social hour is 5:30 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:45, with an SCA update and Gregoire’s presentation to follow.

Gregoire introduced and won approval for a landmark transportation package to create jobs and address critical challenges with our roads and bridges. She established a dedicated fund to reduce class sizes, helped increase enrollments at our colleges and universities, and protected vital social services for the state’s most vulnerable individuals and families.

Reelected in 2008 and facing an historic $5.7 billion shortfall brought on by a deepening national recession, Gregoire has held her promise to the people by proposing a balanced budget while maintaining her priorities of protecting families and kids.

Raised in Auburn by her mother, who worked as a short-order cook to support the family, Gregoire graduated from Auburn High School and entered the University of Washington. She graduated with a teaching certificate and bachelor of arts degree in speech and sociology. She met her husband, Mike, in September 1971 when they both worked for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.

Gregoire received her law degree in 1977 from Gonzaga University.

The Embassy Suites is located at 15920 W. Valley Highway, Tukwila.

Early registration is $45 per guest, $50 per guest after Sept. 16. SCA will bill member cities; non-members are asked to pay in advance. No credit cards, please. RSVP with meal selection by Sept. 16 by calling 206-433-7168, or emailing kristy@suburbancities.org.