The two leading candidates for Washington governor debated for the first time on Tuesday and agreed that new taxes aren’t needed to improve schools. But they disagreed on most other points, including education in the hour-long debate at the Bing Crosby Theater in Spokane. Former…
Inslee: There's a federal process and that process needs to be followed. I have a concern about expansion of tribal gaming that could lead to harm for existing businesses. Each of them needs to be reviewed on the merits. Need to look at land use…
How will you vote on the initiative? McKenna: We will go to the Supreme Court and I believe they will overturn the King County ruling the supermajority is unconstitutional. The voters have been clear on taxes. They did so because it provides a higher wall.…
When is the right time to ask voters for a tax increase for transportation? McKenna: The fall of 2013 or fall of 2014. It will depend on the voters' reaction to the list of projects...including the North Spokane Corridor. We need to look for ways…
If you could do it over, would you make it possible to make it easier to get mortgagest for people with poor credit? Inslee: The problem was de-regulation of Wall Street. I stood up to Bill Clinton and my party on the repeal of Glass…
Inslee: As King County Council president, the council passed a budget that was out of balance in King County, why should voters trust you as governor? McKenna: I opposed a new tax increase, the council passed it. In my opinion, it was the wrong thing…
Inslee: Look at them through the lens of jobs and job benefits, and the potential downsides for the towns the trains will go through, including Spokane. Right policy and it is the law. This is a moment of truth for the state of Washington: Will…
How many jobs can you create if you're elected? How can the state afford tax breaks to business if you're going to spend more for higher education? McKenna: It's not something we can afford to do right away. The current threshhold doesn't make sense, but…
Inslee: I know how difficult it is to see this incredible debt burden on kids. We've got to do things to make higher education more affordable. . . Expand online learning opportunities...free universities from some of the restrictions...allow colleges to commercialize some of their technologies…
Will you ask for a new tax for schools? Inslee: No. I'm proposing job creation (to increase revenue) and close some of the corporate tax loopholes. We are 5th in high tech jobs, but 46th in the production of students to fullfill those jobs...We have…
What steps would you take if the Supreme Court McKenna: Implement the health insurance exchange, expanded Medicaid program. We also need to look to insurance reform to create more competition. We need a market that is national. We also need liabilitly reform, reduce the cost…
Here's how the gubernatorial debate in Spokane started: Rob McKenna: We need a new direction for Washington...These dreams are at risks.)ure Streets aren't safe. Our schools leave people behind, our universities are too expensive. Jay Inslee: Build a working Washington. I have an abiding faith…
Just a reminder that the two likely finalists for governor and state attorney general will be debating this afternoon in Spokane at the Bing Crosby Theater. Democrat Bob Ferguson and Republican Reagan Dunn are up first in the debates sponsored by the Association of Washington…
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