As part of our Elections '08 Web Site, we are proud to bring the latest entry in our statewide candidate video series: gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.
In this series, we will ask candidates for statewide office three questions related to the position and how their approach to each question might impact Washington's economy and business climate. You can read the questions, watch the videos and then evaluate how the candidates responded. Here are the questions we posed to the candidates for governor:
- A combination of market forces and public policies have driven
prices up in recent years, eroding what had historically been a
competitive advantage for energy-intensive industries in our state,
including our major manufacturers. Climate change proposals aimed at
curbing greenhouse gases will likely further increase energy costs,
particularly as Initiative 937 does not count our clean, abundant hydro
power as renewable for the purpose of meeting the initiative's limits.
Additionally, limits on vehicle miles traveled will be particularly
burdensome for commuting employees and employers with significant
travel commitments.
How will you work to achieve established climate change objectives without jeopardizing the competitive position of Washington industry? - Spurred in part by the Boeing 787 competition, the 2003 Legislature
recognized that high unemployment insurance costs threatened many
businesses here. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers came together to
pass comprehensive unemployment insurance (UI) reform that addressed
the issues of tax equity, misconduct and voluntary quits. The federal
government subsequently ruled that the system does not conform to
federal guidelines. Further, the state Supreme Court recently nullified
the voluntary quits language.
How will you, as governor, work with business to reinstate these essential reforms in a way that brings us into federal conformance without increasing UI costs for employers? - A strong housing market coupled with peak construction spending
fueled extraordinary state revenue growth over the past four years,
during which time state spending rose significantly. Now, revenue
growth has slowed and the nonpartisan Senate Ways and Means Committee
projects that maintenance-level spending commitments will exceed
available revenues by some $2.7 billion. Although the numbers will
vary, it’s very likely that the next governor will face serious budget
challenges.
How will you, as governor, address the shortfall? Specifically, do you believe the budget can be balanced without tax increases?
Stay tuned to hear from other candidates for statewide office in the weeks ahead.