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Editorial: Baumgartner best-suited for progress, moderation in Legislature

Sun., Oct. 5, 2014

Before discussing the contentious, expensive legislative District 6 Senate race, let’s clear away the chaff. Republican Sen. Michael Baumgartner is not an extremist carrying out a far-right agenda. Democrat Rick Cowan is not an errand boy for Seattle liberals.

In fact, they’re relatively moderate candidates swimming in the partisan rhetoric that swamps political debate these days. Control of the state Senate could hinge on the outcome. Hence, the hyperbole and big bucks from their respective parties. This is nothing new for a district that is also generally moderate.

We recommend Baumgartner, because Republican control of the Senate moderates the House, which will almost certainly be controlled by the Democrats. The majority coalition that has recently ruled the Senate has shown how this plays out, and we’ve generally liked what we’ve seen.

Baumgartner has been the most effective Spokane-area leader in the coalition. Even in the area of transportation – the coalition’s biggest failure – he went out on a limb to support an ambitious revenue package that would have completed the North Spokane Corridor. Unfortunately, the Republican caucus couldn’t find the political courage to put it to a vote.

Baumgartner has been a strong advocate for college affordability, leading the charge on the first tuition freezes in nearly 30 years. He’s also helped steer capital funds to WSU-Spokane’s Riverpoint campus. Now that WSU and the University of Washington have parted ways on medical education, his influence will be important in establishing a medical school in Spokane. He’s already shown that he’s willing to work with Democrats on what could be a transformative development for the region’s economy.

Rich Cowan has a compelling story and a reasonable agenda. He started North By Northwest and has employed many local people in the film industry. He wasn’t able to unseat congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers in 2012, and now wants to serve in Olympia. His focus is on jobs, education and transportation, and he says the state will need new revenue to move forward.

That’s certainly true in transportation, because the system does not meet the demands of commerce. Cowan says freight mobility also needs to be addressed. Investments in infrastructure, coupled with cheap land and power, could help Eastern Washington land more manufacturers, he notes. He would also like to improve technical education to deepen the pool of skilled workers. He supports a new medical school in Spokane and is persuaded by the need for more primary care physicians, especially in rural areas.

Cowan says the Legislature could raise some money by homing in on tax breaks. Exemptions should carry expiration dates, he says, so that their value is subject to periodic review.

Both candidates are smart and capable. Neither hangs out on the political fringe. But we think Baumgartner is better positioned to moderate Olympia and help Eastern Washington.