Senate hopeful keys on business issues
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The man who wants to be Washington’s next U.S. senator told business people Tuesday that he supports policies beneficial to small companies, from low taxes to health care reform.
Mike McGavick, a Republican running against incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell, said he’s proud to have earned the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business associations.
“This state seems almost hostile to business at times, and we have to improve that attitude,” he told about 20 business people invited by Everett’s Private Enterprise Coalition. Earlier in the morning, McGavick spoke to a smaller group at the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce in Lynnwood.
On the federal level, if elected, McGavick said he would support the existing capital gains tax cut, which has provided a “great economic lift,” he said. He also is in favor of permanently eliminating the federal estate tax.
To reduce spiraling health care costs, the former chief executive officer of Safeco Corp. said he would lean toward more free enterprise solutions rather than more government control. He said giving people more choices among health care plans could help them choose options closely tailored to their needs while reducing costs.
McGavick also talked extensively about expanding domestic sources of energy to ease the high cost of gasoline and related energy sources. One way to do that: drilling in the Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which he strongly endorses.
“We’re not suddenly going to be off oil,” McGavick said, adding he thinks Cantwell has been mistaken in leading the fight against drilling there. That high-profile position has damaged the state’s relationship with Alaska, he said.
Renee Radcliff Sinclair, regional director of congressional and public affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said McGavick is the first challenger candidate the group has endorsed this year.
“His issues really line up with ours, on trade and transportation to energy and legal reform and a host of other issues,” she said.
Jean Hales, president of the south Snohomish County chamber, said her group was happy to provide an opportunity to talk with McGavick. Despite his visit and the U.S. Chamber’s endorsement, her chamber typically won’t endorse candidates in statewide races.
“The fact of the matter is that if (Cantwell) wants to meet with us, we will,” Hales said.
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
