OLYMPIA, Wash. – Outgoing Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has a message for the candidates to replace her: “sounds good, doesn’t work.” That’s Gregoire’s take on several of the budget-balancing ideas she’s hearing from fellow Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna.
In response to reporter questions, Gregoire got to play the role of seasoned eight-year veteran of the governor’s office. Both candidates say they would look to close outdated tax loopholes.
“I said that eight years ago," the governor says. "I’ve learned a lot.”
Gregoire says eliminating tax breaks is harder than it sounds. On Democrat Inslee’s plan to help close a $1 billion budget shortfall with savings from Lean management.
“I’m working on the 2013-2015 budget and I’m not booking $1 billion in savings because of our implementation of Lean.”
Or for that matter any savings of significance from improved work flow in state government. Republican McKenna proposes to cap all non-education spending at 3 percent a year.
Gregoire is blunt.
“So that’s a nice hypothetical. You need to understand as governor you don’t have that much discretion over your budget.”
Gregoire’s message to the next governor of Washington.
“On January 16th at 12:01, welcome to my world.”
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network
