In her final speech before she leaves office, Gov. Chris Gregoire urged the Legislature to focus on education and transportation in the coming months of the new legislative session that started this week.

Gregoire said in prepared remarks Tuesday that the state cannot "cut our way out of" the $1 billion that will be needed as a down payment for education funding in order to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling.

She says that transportation "is the backbone" of the state, and says funding is needed for several projects, including the Columbia River Crossing, Spokane's North-South Freeway and Snoqualmie Pass.

She leaves office on Wednesday, when Gov.-elect Jay Inslee is sworn in.