MOUNT VERNON Gov. Jay Inslee visited Skagit County as part of a tour of the region Tuesday to talk health care, labor and business.

As part of his visit, Inslee toured the Northwest Washington Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee in Mount Vernon. The apprenticeship is a labor and management training program for electricians.

Inslee told students that it is a goal of his to make sure jobs are available for graduates of the program.

Passing a transportation package this year so students have work when they get out is a top priority, Inslee said.

Unless a maintenance budget is passed this year, 71 bridges statewide will become functionally obsolete, Inslee said.

Inslee told students and instructors that their point of view is needed to successfully legislate infrastructure and transportation.

There arent enough working people in the legislative bodies, and thats a problem, he said.

Inslee also hosted a discussion with North Sound health officials and discussed the benefits of mental health integration.

Skagit County is part of the North Sound Accountable Community of Health, one of two pilot programs in the state that aims to improve health and lower health care costs in the region.

Part of the program identifies frequent 911 callers and those who use hospitals the most, and connects them with case managers who can troubleshoot with them and keep patients out of hospitals, said Sharen Sandell, a case manager with the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement.

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Health care, business big part of governors regional tour