This job is different from that of the Auditor, in that it
deals with the banking, finances, and investment of the public’s money rather
than the accounting for it. The Treasurer is responsible for taking in funds
and distributing them to state agencies, counties, cities, school districts,
and other special purpose districts. The Treasurer is custodian of all state
owned investments (securities, bonds, stocks, etc) including the state’s
pension and accident insurance funds. The Treasurer issues state bonds and pays
interest to bondholders.
Benton County Treasurer (in his 4th term), former
auditor with State Auditor’s office
education: Central WA U BS in
accounting
Appears to be competent as a treasurer. “The State Treasurer
should stay out of politics, particularly an issue as divisive as a state
income tax.” After the primary he
expanded on that statement to say that “We currently have the highest budget in
state history. We need to use the funds we already have available more wisely,
not push for a state income tax.” Other than that, he makes no policy
statements.
Former Australian tennis pro.
Education: Emory University MBA
Senior VP at a multi-national
investment company, where he manages over $10 billion.
He wants to “utilize my
private-sector experience to bring accountability, accessibility, and
transparency to the office of State Treasurer.” He believes that Dems have
politicized the office and driven the state into debt. He is determined to pay
down that debt. He intends to use the office as a ‘bully pulpit’ to push the
legislature. He is adamantly opposed to a state income tax.
Given what we’ve seen of the fine
financial management of major multi-national investment corporations, this is
not a background I would tout.
I’m not thrilled by either of
these, but at least Davidson has experience in
the appropriate field. We can only hope that he holds true to the claim that
the treasurer should stay out of politics – as opposed to Waite, who wants to
use the position as a bully pulpit.
I will be voting for Duane Davidson.
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