Gov. Chris Gregoire seems to be sending different messages to different audiences on the issue of reopening state employee contracts.

Last month, she rejected suggestions that state employees share some of the recessionary pain that private sector employees are experiencing before the Washington State Labor Council. And this week, she says she's been trying to reopen state employee contracts but can't do it without the union's agreement -- a contention that state Sen. Joe Zarelli, the Senate Republicans budget lead, disputes. (See the videos on the jump).

Many conservative lawmakers have been urging her to do so and an increasing number of Democratic lawmakers seem to be warming up to the idea as the state Legislature grapples with its $2.8 billion budget deficit. Also, The Seattle Times and other editorial boards have been suggesting the contracts she signed last June be reopened and adjusted before taxes are raised on private-sector taxpayers -- who have been furloughed, laid off or seen their share of health care insurance premiums climb to 30 percent or more. The state contracts contain raises for some employees and state union members pay only 12 percent of their health-care premiums with the state picking up the rest.

In her Feb. 11 speech to the Washington State Labor Council, Gregoire said she was "disgusted" with those suggestions.

(Watch the full video at tvw.org: http://bit.ly/9Q4znY )

And here's what she said Monday in a media availability session, suggesting she's been trying and trying to reopen state employee contracts to help solve the budget problems.

(Watch the full video at TVW.org. http://bit.ly/cU1bK6 )

So which is it, governor? Open the contracts or not?

Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Zarelli, the Senate Republican's budget leader, disagreed with the governor that she had to wait for the union to agree or for the Legislature to join her in reopening the contracts. He says she has the authority right now.

“The governor today gave the impression she is prepared to reopen the state’s collective bargaining agreements to look at the benefits covered in those agreements - the 88-12 split of health care costs between the state and its employees, respectively, as well as deductibles, co-pays and so on. Her words are encouraging, if for no other reason than the shortfall of more than 200 million dollars in the state-employee health care system. That deficit, which recently prompted strong words from the state insurance commissioner, must be addressed.

“State law clearly gives the governor the authority to order unions back to the bargaining table. All she must do is issue a proclamation. The Legislature has the same authority. Nothing in the law requires the governor and the Legislature to agree on such a move ahead of time. It also does not matter if the unions do not want to reopen the contracts, legally speaking.