Story Photos
 Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican challenger Dino Rossi shake hands following their debate at the Capitol Theatre on Wednesday in Yakima. Kris Holland / Yakima Herald-Republic
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Candidates on the Economy: Governor's race
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 5:12 PM PDT
Printable version
E-mail this articleWe recently asked candidates for public office how they would create jobs and boost the area’s struggling economy. We’re publishing their answers this week. Today we feature responses from Gov. Chris Gregoire and her challenger, Republican Dino Rossi. The stories first appeared in the October edition of InBusiness, a publication of The Daily News.
Washington governor
Chris Gregoire, Democrat, incumbent, Olympia
Dino Rossi, Republican, challenger, Sammamish
What can the state do to encourage the creation of more jobs, especially in Southwest Washington, to offset rising unemployment?
Rossi: Small business is the number one creator of jobs in our state, but unfortunately Washington has one of the highest small business failure rates in the nation. As governor, I’ll lower taxes and ease the regulations that impede the success of these small businesses.
Gregoire: The state can help businesses all over Washington prosper with infrastructure improvements, tax incentives, grants and the promotion of exports. Diversifying the economy is very important to the economic success of Southwest Washington. I funded a Small Business Development Center in Kelso to help small businesses grow with training classes and one-on-one counseling.
How can state government best help businesses prosper?
Rossi: State government must eliminate the challenges facing business: high taxes and overregulation. I’ll increase the B&O tax credit and eliminate the death tax. Also, I’ll appoint directors to agencies such as Labor and Industries and the Department of Ecology who believe customer service and helping people succeed is their job.
Gregoire: I believe the state can lay the foundation for private investments to succeed. For instance, the state can make improvements in infrastructure, like highways and bridges, which can help businesses transports their goods to markets. The state can also promote innovation in pro-growth industries with tax incentives and grants. Under my leadership, the aerospace and agricultural industries have received tax incentives.
How should the state balance the need for clean energy with the desire to keep energy costs low?
Rossi: One of Washington’s greatest energy assets is hydropower. The state is currently negotiating climate change agreements with other states that don’t recognize hydropower as clean. The result will be higher energy costs for families. I will recognize hydropower as renewable energy and promote other alternatives such as wind and solar.
Gregoire: We need to promote clean, low-cost sources of energy in our state. It’s good for business and the environment. Fortunately, Washington is blessed with some of the lowest energy costs in the nation, thanks to our state’s abundant hydropower. With hydropower as the foundation and main source of our energy supply, we can diversify and promote new sources of energy, like wind and solar power.
Related article:
Candidates on the Economy: County Commission (Oct. 6)
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