Gregoire: Income tax ‘good idea’
August 18, 2008
Here is a video of Gov. Gregoire’s conversation with the Spokesman-Review Editorial Board last year, where she says “We need a conversion to some sort of income tax.” And: “It’s not as if it isn’t a good idea. Eventually I assume we’re going to get there.” Given the recent news that the budget deficit continues to swell past 2.7 $billion, and given the fact that House Speaker Frank Chopp acknowledged the possibility of tax increases to balance the budget (months ago), is an income tax Gregoire’s solution? All evidence points that direction. Watch for yourself. Gregoire simply thinks the citizens of Washington state just need to be educated on the merits of a state income tax. We don’t - Do you?
Times: Gregoire’s Actions Aren’t Enough
August 11, 2008
The Seattle Times today criticized Gov. Gregoire’s woefully inadequate measures to shore up the huge budget deficit caused by her Administration’s spending binge.
The Times noted that the last time Washington faced a similar budget shortfall it was Dino Rossi who – as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee – turned Washington’s economy around by writing a budget that contained no tax increases and which increased state revenues.
The differences between Rossi and Gregoire couldn’t be clearer. After being in government for 39 years, Gregoire is a classic tax-and-spend liberal. Rossi, on the other hand, is a common sense small business person who knows how to balance budgets.
FOX News reports on Gregoire’s special interest paybacks
August 7, 2008
Fox News has an in-depth report that can be viewed here about the political paybacks that Gregoire has given to the biggest donors to her campaign. Included are details about Gregoire negotiating pay raises with unions at the same time those unions are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to get her re-elected. Not surprisingly, Gregoire and her special interest friends refused to be interviewed for the report.
Government’s huge payroll
August 6, 2008
No wonder Washington voters feel over taxed and over regulated — One of the state’s leading think tanks points out that one out of every 5 Washington workers is a government worker. As the report shows, “Government” ranks #1 in the category “Principal Employers by Major Industry” in our state with over half a million employees.
Gov. Gregoire has done her part to add to the swelling government payroll. As the Seattle Times recently reported, she has added over 6,000 state government jobs since taking office – no doubt as payback to the special interest groups that have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to get her elected.
Too little, too late, Gov.
August 4, 2008
It appears Gov. Gregoire is finally admitting Washington State is facing an impending budget disaster. After months of refusing to acknowledge the looming $2.7 billion deficit, Gregoire has fired off a missive to state agencies ordering them “to cut hiring, travel and fuel costs.” Gregoire figures that by telling agency directors to cut gas consumption by just 5 percent, along with freezes on hiring, out-of-state travel, service contracts and extra equipment, she can cut $90 million.
The good news is Gregoire is finally admitting the state has a problem. But she still won’t say how much of a problem (or that it’s her fault) — Gregoire won’t say how big of a deficit the state is facing, even though legislative budget experts peg the gap at around $2.7 billion. The bad news is her cuts don’t go nearly far enough. Saving $90 million when faced with a $2.7 billion deficit is like trying to pay off a credit card by making the minimum monthly payment. To put it in perspective: Gregoire will need to find 29 more cost cutting measures at $90 million in savings to erase the massive $2.7 billion debt.
And here’s a question: If state agencies can immediately shave 5 percent off of gas consumption, tighten down on travel and quit hiring, why hasn’t Gregoire demanded such cost cutters be implemented before now? If state agencies can do it now with no ill effects, they could have done it years ago.
Since taking office Gregoire has hired 6,000 new state employees. Rather than call for a hiring freeze, Gregoire should reduce the state work force to its pre-Gregoire size. Don’t hold your breath—we’re still waiting for Gregoire to “blow past the bureaucracy” and “change the culture” of Olympia.
WA small businesses disagree . . .
August 1, 2008
The voice of small business in Washington state, NFIB, responded today to those who claim Washington is a “great state to do business.”
Gov. Gregoire made this claim in her recent TV ad, and Forbes magazine just released rankings with Washington high on its list. NFIB says that small business owners in our state strongly disagree. In fact, 96 percent of small business owners voted to endorse Dino Rossi for Governor in a special ballot of NFIB members earlier this year.
So who is Gregoire listening to? Big corporations? An east coast magazine? The Gov. is clearly not paying attention to what small businesses have to say.
Gregoire’s Carbon Footprint
July 25, 2008
While Gov. Gregoire is preaching about reducing global warming, it appears her actions don’t quite match her rhetoric. Although Gregoire talks the talk, she—both literally and figuratively—doesn’t walk the walk. For example, Gregoire is driven around in a Cadillac DTS. The big gas-guzzling Cadillac sedan gets only 17 miles per gallon in the city, and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. According to Greogire’s staff, it’s all about “safety”and there simply weren’t any flex fuel or hybrid vehicles that would be safe enough. So let’s get this straight: Gregoire gets to ride in a big, safe vehicle but average citizens should be forced drive in tiny, more dangerous Smart Cars and Toyota Priuses?
Even more astonishing is the report that Gregoire doesn’t walk to work – apparently she is picked up and driven to her office almost every morning — even though the Governor’s Mansion is a stone’s throw away (approximately 300 paces) from her office.
A great place to do business?
July 24, 2008
In her most recent television ad, Gov. Gregoire claims that Washington is a great place to do business. But virtually every small business organization in the state has endorsed Dino Rossi for Governor. Rossi’s endorsements include the National Federation of Independent Business-Washington, Washington Association of Realtors, Washington Farm Bureau, and Washington Restaurant Association among many others. In fact, NFIB’s members – all small business owners – voted to endorse Rossi over Gregoire 96% to 3%. Clearly, small businesses in Washington want change.
The claim by Gregoire begs the question – what businesses are telling her that Washington state has a great business climate?
It’s payoff time….again
July 23, 2008
The state’s public employee unions are at the table this summer negotiating pay raises (among other things) with Gov. Gregoire.
These negotiations present a striking conflict of interest for Gregoire. As Scott Dilley points out on the Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s blog, these same unions are blanketing the airwaves with pro-Gregoire, anti-Rossi ads paid for by Evergreen Progress PAC. These unions have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep Gregoire in office. Here are their contributions to Evergreen Progress PAC’s campaign to re-elect Gregoire, as laid out on the EFF blog: SEIU: $495,000, WFSE: $200,000, UFCW: $20,000; AFL-CIO (WFSE is a member): $10,000.
Looks like another payoff by Gregoire to her biggest donors. Will union leaders call this “money well spent” like they did the last time Gregoire gave them big raises?
Governor for the (BIG) Government
July 22, 2008
Sunday’s Seattle Times featured an in-depth story on Gregoire’s out-of-control spending, pointing out the fact that the general fund budget has jumped more than 31 percent under Gregoire. As the story says, Gregoire “makes no apologies for the spending” even though much of it went to huge pay raises for state employees and the hiring of more than 6,000 new state employees. Gregoire’s own office has also grown tremendously. Her office budget has doubled – to a total of $73 million, according to the report. How’s your household budget doing these days? Call us crazy, but we’re willing to bet it hasn’t DOUBLED over the last three years!
Interestingly, Gregoire created another 15 positions in her office for people who are supposed to look at ways to improve the performance of state agencies. Typical approach of our “Governor for the Government” – hire MORE bureaucrats to look for ways to REDUCE bureaucracy and make government more efficient!
Plus, we already have a state Auditor who issues reports about inefficiencies all the time – specifically conducting performance audits of state agencies . . . seems like it might be cheaper to listen to what he has to say.
In addition, there are good organizations out there doing fantastic work in this area already…for FREE! The Washington Policy Center has already published The Washington State Piglet Book, which highlights millions in wasteful or unnecessary state spending just ripe for elimination.
Gregoire Admin fails children (again)
July 17, 2008
Exercising its amazing ability to not learn from its mistakes, the Department of Social and Health Services finds itself slapped with four more audit findings — two of which were repeat findings from a previous audit — ranging from overpayments through its Social Security Payments System, to licensing and paying foster care providers without any supporting evidence that required background checks had been completed.
Washington Policy Center ’s Jason Mercier comments in the WPC blog that it is bad enough to receive audit findings, but that repeat findings should never occur. He concludes by stating his hope that the Governor and Legislature will intervene to keep these issues from arising next year.
DSHS’ continued failures have led to the misallocation of taxpayer dollars and increased risk for the safety and well being of Washington’s foster children.
96% of small business owners want change in Olympia
July 17, 2008
The members of NFIB – the voice of small business — have spoken. Earlier this spring, during a vote to endorse a candidate for Governor, more than 96 percent of participants supported endorsing Rossi this November. Gov. Chris Gregoire received just 2.6 percent of the vote, with the remaining percentage undecided.
“Our members have spoken, and they couldn’t be more clear or emphatic — they’re ready for Dino Rossi to move into the governor’s mansion in Olympia,” said NFIB/Washington State Director Troy Nichols. “As soon as our special ballot went out, our fax machine was jammed and our phone lines were ringing off the hook with members sending in their votes. Small business owners have been paying attention, and they know what’s at stake this November.” Read more here.
Are you better off?
July 17, 2008
When Dino Rossi kicked off his campaign for change in 2008, Gregoire’s response was this: “Are we better off today as a state than we were three years ago? You bet we are.”
Here’s the thing . . . we’re clearly not better off than we were when Gregoire took over in 2005. Unemployment is up. The state’s unemployment rate is now equal to the U.S. rate at 5.5 percent. Gas prices are sky high – no thanks to Gregoire signing the largest gas tax increase in state history (which means Washington has the highest combined fuel tax in the nation).
Gregoire is saying no to new jobs in eastern Washington, while her fellow Democrats are trying to repeal I-601 and pave the way for tax hikes in 2009. Are we better off as a state than we were three years ago? You be the judge…..
Gregoire, Rossi tied in new poll
July 14, 2008
A new poll has the race for Governor all tied up. Moore Information, a Northwest public opinion research firm, has just released the results of a survey conducted July 9-10. Among 400 voters statewide, 45% would vote for Gregoire and 45% for Rossi with 9% undecided. It seems that more and more Washingtonians are realizing it’s time for a change in Olympia . . .
Gregoire: fantasy vs. reality
July 10th, 2008
Gov. Gregoire called into the Dori Monson show on Kiro 710 yesterday. The interview included quite a few eyebrow-raising statements (see below), proving that Gregoire thinks the voters of Washington state aren’t smart enough to distinguish fantasy from reality:
1) Gregoire quote: “I didn’t raise taxes.” Reality: she raised $400 million worth of new taxes her first year in office and pushed for and signed the largest gas tax in state history. Gregoire has a history of attempting to revise history — see this Seattle Times story about Gregoire’s history of saying one thing and doing another.
2) Regarding the Ways and Means Committee’s recent budget forecast showing a 2.7 billion deficit, Gregoire quote: “We have no idea whether it’s right or wrong right now based on the assumptions we think they used.” Reality: the bipartisan staff of the Ways and Means Committee puts this budget outlook document together which reflects Gregoire’s own Office of Financial Management’s revenue projections. It appears Gregoire would rather ignore the reality of the slowing economy and avoid talking about raising taxes to pay for her out-of-control spending.
3) Gregoire quote: “I would not engage in anything unethical.” Reality: the Seattle P-I and the Seattle Times have recently uncovered payoffs by Gregoire to large special interest groups – all who have contributed generously to her campaign.
Jobs for WA? Not under this Gov
July 8th, 2008
Earlier this year, Christine Gregoire took credit for Washington’s low unemployment rate, saying “we’re making good decisions and doing right by businesses in this state.” Does that mean the Governor will also accept the blame for now high unemployment?
As Washington’s unemployment rate climbs sharply, Gregoire’s fear-driven approach to governing continues to cost our state thousands of jobs. When business and civic leaders beg her to support economic development in the Tri-Cities, she is too busy and too worried about keeping her job to actually do her job. When the Sonics threaten to leave town, Gregoire shows “all the leadership of a rookie point guard” — to the chagrin of hundreds of small businesses who will be “devastated” by the loss.
Sonics gone . . .
July 3rd, 2008
The big news this morning is that the Sonics are leaving Seattle. Fans are understandably devastated and angry at the Governor for her lack of leadership. Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelly wrote this morning:
“Shame on Gov. Christine Gregoire and Rep. Frank Chopp for either not understanding or not caring about the future of the sport in this state.”
It’s Time for a Change has launched a new radio spot, focused on Gregoire’s lack of leadership when it came to keeping the Sonics here in Seattle. Sonics fans, listen here.
Gas tax goes up today
July 1st, 2008
Our state’s gas tax is going up again today, thanks to legislation pushed by Gov. Gregoire during the 2005 session. Washington state has the highest gas tax in the entire nation. Today’s increase is the last in a series of increases that were supposed to pay for fixing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, among other things.
Gregoire says no to jobs in Eastern WA
July 1st, 2008
Over the weekend, Tri-City Herald reporter Chris Mulick exposed the real story behind Areva’s choice of Idaho over Washington for a new plant and hundreds of jobs.
The business community in the Tri-Cities area lobbied Governor Gregoire for months, begging her to take a stand and support economic development in eastern Washington. Mulick’s thorough investigative work reveals what was really going on: Gregoire was too worried about her re-election to take a stand, and our state missed out on a great economic opportunity.
Gregoire’s transportation mess
June 28, 2008
Yesterday the Reason Foundation released a national study ranking the road conditions in all 50 states. Washington ranked 39th in overall performance and cost-effectiveness — down from 32nd place in 2007. The state ranks 42nd in rural interstate condition and 45th in urban interstate condition. Shockingly, Washington ranks 32nd when it comes to deficient bridges; One out of 4 Washington bridges is deemed structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
You mean like the viaduct? Yesterday the Seattle Times reported that — despite having spent or committed $1 billion in funds earmarked for replacement of the viaduct –the ailing structure still stands. Last month the state Department of Transportation proposed 8 possible replacement options, and tearing down the viaduct and replacing it won’t begin for at least another year. But with $1 billion of the $2.8 billion total already gone, and inflation driving replacement costs up $10 million each month, one has to wonder how much more Christine Gregoire’s lack of leadership on this critical issue is going to cost the taxpayers of Washington state.
“Money well spent”
June 25th, 2008
Another story in the Seattle Times connects the dots between actions taken by Gregoire and large campaign donations from the same groups who are benefiting from her policy decisions. After unions and tribes gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to get Gregoire elected, those groups were paid off handsomely. Gregoire gave state employees’ unions the largest raises they had seen in decades and also pushed for big pay raises for teachers. The head of the WEA called it “money well spent.”. And as the P-I reported last week, the tribes are just as thankful after receiving a massive expansion of gambling without having to give anything in return.
Seattle traffic on Top 10 list
June 21st, 2008
A national traffic information provider released a report this week that showed Seattle-area traffic is #9 in the nation. (This news is not a surprise to those who work and drive in and around Seattle.) Governor Gregoire has increased gas taxes and transportation spending during her term, but she’s done nothing to ease congestion in our state.
Gregoire beholden to special interests
June 13, 2008
The Seattle P-I recently ran a story exposing that Gregoire is the beneficiary of hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from tribal gaming interests – contributions that come as a result of the massive gambling expansion that she has approved since becoming governor.
As one expert put it: ”It’s a payoff,” said University of Nevada-Las Vegas professor William Thompson, who has been studying tribal gambling since 1988. “She shouldn’t take any campaign money, nor should her political party, and it smells too quid pro quo for my liking.”
Longtime political commentator Ted Van Dyke also has a piece on Crosscut.com, observing that Gregoire is the only Washingtonian benefiting from the state’s giveaway to tribal special interests.
This backroom deal is business as usual for the incumbent governor. Just another reason why it’s time for a change.
Another lawsuit exposes Gregoire’s public safety failures
June 10th, 2008
Last month, the widow of a slain deputy filed a $22 million lawsuit against the Department of Corrections in another setback for the embattled agency under Gregoire’s leadership. In 2006, the Seattle Weekly exposed the “prison revolving door” in our state which led to a series of cop killings. At that time, Governor Christine Gregoire said she ordered the Department of Corrections to review its policies in the wake of the three police deaths.
But just three months later, citizens were outraged to learn about Governor Gregoire’s policy to quietly downgrade and release felons rated highly likely to reoffend. After a series of high-profile offenses committed by felons released by her Administration, Gregoire she briefly reversed – and then reinstated – the policy.
Teachers’ union refuses grant
June 6th, 2008
Proving once again that they’re not really looking out for kids, the WEA just said no to a $13 million grant that was going to help with math and scince in seven Washington schools. Washington state was one of seven states that received this grant from the National Math & Science Initiative. Despite the fact that six other states were able to work out the details, our state’s teachers’ union drew a line in the sand and kids and schools lost. Steve Seleznow with the Gates Foundation (Gates contributed about $10 million to this grant effort) told the Seattle Times, “Honestly, I cant figure out why they couldn’t solve this.” Read more here — and see how other states are reacting here. We’re still waiting to hear what Gov. Gregoire thinks about this — after all, the WEA is one of her biggest special interest campaign supporters.
High cost of doing business in WA
June 4th, 2008
The latest Kiplinger’s magazine is featuring the “Top 10” cities to live, work etc . . . Boise, ID made it on the list. One of the reasons is that doing business there costs around one-third less than doing business in Washington. I wonder whether Gov. Gregoire has this magazine on her coffee table?
Farm Bureau Endorses Dino Rossi
June 1st, 2008
The Washington State Farm Bureau is the latest statewide organization to endorse Dino Rossi for Governor. The WSFB joins an ever-growing list, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Washington Realtors(r), Associated Builders & Contractors(ABC), Associated General Contrators (AGC), the Building Industry Association of Washington, Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA), Washington State Funeral Directors Association (WSFDA), King County Police Officer’s Guild, Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, The Port Orchard Police Association, Washington Chinese Chamber of Commerce . . . in endorsing CHANGE in 2008. Read the story here.
