Gov. Gregoire goes digital

Updates now available via Twitter, Facebook

OLYMPIA – The popular social networks, Facebook and Twitter, have a new fan. Gov. Chris Gregoire is using them to stay in touch with constituents and others interested in Washington state government.

“Through the use of these interactive technologies, I aim to provide Washingtonians with information in a way that is efficient, useful and fun,” Gregoire said.

By linking constituents to resources such as the state’s recovery Web site and WorkSource employment database, Gregoire hopes to “help people who may otherwise have not discovered these tools and make the work of government more transparent.”

Gregoire started an account on twitter.com last month and now shares regular updates, dubbed “tweets,” with followers. Though she jokes that there was once a time when “to ‘tweet’ was to chirp,” Gregoire has continued to post messages on the site. The governor’s tweets range from wishing Washingtonians a happy Father’s Day to announcing the moment she entered the gate to the White House this week when she met with President Obama on health care reform.

A fan page on Facebook was launched to provide a more detailed method of updating supporters. This site includes photos, upcoming events, and links to articles and releases.

The governor’s Twitter account can be viewed at http://twitter.com/govgregoire. Her Facebook fan page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Gregoire/98121819044?ref=nf.