governor & lieutenant governor

WA state governor

√  Jay Inslee, D            (currently US representative) focus on

~ economy. He fought bank deregulation and the bailout. He wanted relief for bank mortgage victims.

~ clean energy. He’s an expert and has proposed a detailed economic plan for new clean energy industries, which will create jobs.

~ education. supports increased innovation in the classroom and smaller class size. He knows education = jobs, so wants to increase emphasis on science, tech, and math.

~ equality. strong supporter of equality and civil rights, gay marriage.

~ choice. strong supporter of women’s right to choose, continued funding for Planned Parenthood, and full access to reproductive services.

~ environment.  he’s a recognized environmental champion, endorsed by conservation organizations.

~ transportation. he recognizes that transportation is more than cars and freeways. He’s working toward “a connected multi-modal, well-maintained transportation system that maximizes our ability to move people and goods.”

~ veterans. leader in pursuing health and economic security for WA veterans, particularly in training and jobs. 

Rob McKenna, R  (currently AG) appealed Obamacare to the Supreme Court. Says he’ll create jobs by ‘reducing government interference’  (you know, enabling the ‘job creators’). Says education will be improved via competition, innovation, and charter schools (read: privatization); wants to break teachers’ unions (again, read: privatization). He wants to outsource government functions, create public v private competition, and break staff unions. Are we beginning to catch a theme of union busting here? He wants to  ‘reduce lawsuit abuse’, which translates into slamming the courthouse door on people who have been harmed,  and to shrink government through attrition. This does raise a question about who is going to do the work. He’ll save $ on state health care costs by shrinking or doing away with Basic Health. He doesn’t say what happens to the poor people who lose coverage. He’ll privatize Labor & Industries (disability) insurance, and push for tort reform (limits on corporate liability). Yowza! This is our very own local Romney.

WA Lieutenant Governor (serves as president of the state Senate)

√  Brad Owen, D incumbent,  top priority is to stimulate the economy & create jobs, help WA business increase its share of world markets. He’s a former rock musician who uses his talents in his personal campaign of  substance abuse prevention, bullying prevention, and  promotion of child welfare. We’ve heard very little, either good or bad about him while in office, which the Tacoma News-Tribune says is an indication that he is doing his job well, and has been doing so for 16 years. He has spent a lot of time as a trade ambassador to other countries, which opponent Finkbeiner says is inappropriate. He says he’s courting trade and has made significant contributions to Washington’s economy at little or no cost to taxpayers. Progressive Voter reports that he sides with Tim Eyman on tax issues. He says he’s non-partisan, working with labor and business to create new jobs. He declares that he will run a positive campaign (no mudslinging).

Bill Finkbeiner, R, proposes to break partisan gridlock by reducing the number of staff and limiting the influence of lobbyists. He says he wants to ‘remove the aisle’ and make Senators sit wherever. Is this really going to make them talk to each other or agree on issues? He says he’ll act as a mediator to settle differences. Sounds good, but his history in the legislature is as a solid R. Can he be expected to mediate in good faith? He’s endorsed by Progressive Voter, and looking at his platform I can see why. It sounds really good - until you figure out what that means. He wants to make sure the legislature does not borrow more money than it can repay. Yes, of course. But what does that mean in the real world? He rags on Brad Owen for “world travel.” It seems that Mr Finkbeiner is trying to downplay a fair amount of political baggage, including trying to stop and/or slow the final ratification of Christine Gregoire as governor. Seattle Times says he was engaging in “a season of cheap shots.”