McKenna, Inslee spar over tax plan for schools

October 16, 2012 @ 10:32 pm

Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - Washington's gubernatorial candidates agreed Tuesday night that increasing taxes isn't something they would do as governor, and said during their final debate that more money needs to go to public schools and universities but sparred over a proposed tax plan to equalize the way Washington homeowners pay for public schools.

Both candidates expect the state to have growing revenues in the coming years. In order to free up extra cash for education, Republican Rob McKenna would like to cap non-education spending growth at 6 percent per biennium.

"I'm not willing to consider tax increases," McKenna said. "Voters don't want to see higher taxes."

Democrat Jay Inslee said he believes his economic plan can trigger strong job growth to increase revenues, as well as efforts to contain health costs.

But Inslee called McKenna's support of the so-called levy swap a tax "gimmick" that would raise taxes on people in many school districts.

The plan would replace some local property taxes with a statewide education property tax and essentially take tax money from property-rich taxpayers and distribute it to areas with schools in greater need.

Instead of the school districts with the highest property values being able to collect the most school levy dollars, taxpayers across the state would be contributing more to the overall state education system, and that money would be redistributed according to student population and needs, not by property values.

"It may help Olympia politicians on paper, it does not help students in school," the former congressman said.

McKenna, the state's attorney general, said that was not true and pointed out that the proposal was being advanced by Democrats in the Legislature.

"Hope is not a strategy, and hoping that a jobs plan will create more jobs to address this is not a strategy," he said. "Congressman Inslee has no plan."

When asked whether there were specific tax exemptions that he would close, Inslee cited a tax break for bull insemination that he said costs a million dollars a year.

"That's not going to solve our educational problems, but it is an attitude that we need to start being rigorous to solve these education funding problems. I'm calling for these to have a sunset provision in which they come for a vote on a regular basis."

McKenna agreed that while so-called tax loopholes should be regularly reviewed, he said he was more concerned about sales taxes that go uncollected by out-of-state online merchants every year. However, McKenna said closing exemptions alone wouldn't solve the overall problem.

"You're not going to close the budget gap for education by closing loopholes and preferences," he said. "There's just not enough money there."

McKenna also criticized Inslee's plan to create an Economic Competitiveness and Development office.

"The answer is clearly not to expand state government," he said.

Inslee responded that the office would make government more efficient by moving aspects of economic development and trade policy work from the Department of Commerce to the new agency.

"We're not increasing the size of government, we're making it work," he said.

The race between McKenna and Inslee is considered to be one of the most competitive races for governor in the country. Both sides have raised about $10 million each, and outside groups have also are flooded the state with cash. Recent polling has showed the candidates running about even.

Counties will start sending ballots to voters on Wednesday.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (16)


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  • Cameron wrote...
    "I'm not sure why he challenged Rob McKenna to debates."
    January 5, 2012 6:58 pm
    Because Inslee is moron. I hope tha clears it up for anyone who might have wondered.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    Inslee is a coward
    January 5, 2012 8:28 pm
    Enough said.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick (4)
    October 10, 2012 3:21 pm
    But does being a coward disqualify you from being a Governor?After all the GOP has a serial LIAR running for POTUS their have been numerous examples of cheats,thieves,adulterers, pedophiles and con artists holding high office so being a "coward" puts you at the top of the personality types that I just mentioned.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick (4)
    October 10, 2012 3:22 pm
    But does being a coward disqualify you from being a Governor?After all the GOP has a serial LIAR running for POTUS their have been numerous examples of cheats,thieves,adulterers, pedophiles and con artists holding high office so being a "coward" puts you at the top of the personality types that I just mentioned.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Poor Inslee....
    August 29, 2012 5:30 am
    McKenna is gonna wipe the floor w/ him.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    Debate tomorrow?
    August 29, 2012 5:47 am
    Why is a Portland Televison "state" going to be the only one carrying the event live? Why is it being rebroadcast later only on TVW? Is this an important news event for Washington State voters or not? The News organizations in Washington should be all over this.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    The local media
    August 29, 2012 9:08 am
    They are extremely liberal and Inslee will be shown to be the moron he is...ergo...they will not cover it. The Dimocratic machine in action.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    Please ask Inslee
    August 29, 2012 6:51 pm
    How come someone making a quarter million a year(making him one of the 1%)needed to take $45,000 from his retirement account(and thus pay a $10,000 penalty), and why we would hire such a person person to lead our state?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Moondoggie
    October 10, 2012 3:25 pm
    He took the money out because he probably needed it for his childrens education.Why would this disqualify him from leading the state? Thats silly talk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    I am just another voter for Rob McKenna
    August 29, 2012 7:55 pm
    I'll bet that statement really makes
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Got tax returns? . . . .
    August 30, 2012 3:58 am
    then we can see what Rob is all about. Same thing going on in the other washington. Both need to come out from behind the sheet.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    CH Until you post your tax returns
    October 11, 2012 6:12 am
    You have no need to ask for theirs. If they provided what was required by law, then there is no issue. I don't see you asking for Inslee's returns? Why not

    And you still have not answered my question, What about McKenna that you don't like. What has Inslee offered that you do like.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Also what is it CH
    October 11, 2012 6:13 am
    that causes you to hate McKenna so much?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    State spending
    October 11, 2012 8:46 pm
    Should fall into two categories. Is it necessary or is it nice? If it's necessary, then go ahead and fund it. If it falls under the "it's nice" category, then forget it. It's time to give McKenna a shot.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Jet City
    October 11, 2012 10:21 pm
    Ending Diamond lanes have better chance than electing a GOP Gov.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    I thought the most telling part was the quiestion about gun control
    October 12, 2012 6:17 am
    Look who the gun control advocate is, its MCKENNA! He took credit for tightening state gun laws after the Colorado massacre.

    hmmmmm.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }