OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire released her recent tax returns today in response to requests from news reporters and criticized her opponent, Republican Dino Rossi, for refusing to follow suit.
Rossi pointed out that he has fully complied with public disclosure requirements under state law and said he saw no need to reveal more of his private financial information.
The candidates’ stances mirror their response to similar requests in 2004. Gregoire, a Democrat, made her tax returns available, and Rossi declined.
Gregoire defeated Rossi by 129 votes after two recounts and a court battle.
Neither candidate is required to make tax returns available for public inspection under campaign laws. The Associated Press requested the returns to get a better understanding of their financial ties and how those connections may involve people or groups that have dealings with state government.
The state Public Disclosure Commission compiles less specific financial information about candidates’ finances, and both Rossi and Gregoire have completed out those forms as required.
The Gregoire campaign granted news organizations’ request to see her recent household tax filings as a gesture of goodwill, spokeswoman Debra Carnes said, accusing Rossi of not being fully open with voters in refusing to do the same.
“She’s currently the governor and running for a very public office — and so is her opponent,” Carnes said, “and she doesn’t have anything to hide.”
Rossi’s aides refused the Associated Press’ request to see his tax returns, saying he has “fully complied with all financial disclosures that are required.”
Spokeswoman Jill Strait also would not respond to Carnes’ comments.
Gregoire’s returns from 2005-2007 contain mostly well-known information because her compensation as a career government employee and politician has long been a matter of public record. The governor’s present salary is $163,618, and her husband Mike is a retired public employee.
Rossi’s finances were built through a private career in real estate. He added a public income after being elected a state senator in 1996 but left that office in 2003 to run against Gregoire.
The Gregoires’ 2007 filing is typical of the three released today: The Gregoires reported a gross income of $180,179, with no adjustments. They listed $14,798 in itemized deductions and $10,200 in exemptions — accounting for themselves and one dependent, their youngest daughter, Michelle.
That left a taxable income of $155,181 on which the couple’s tax bill was $32,443, of which the Gregoires had to pay the IRS $3,119 in addition to withholding.
Their itemized deductions included $2,234 in sales taxes, $3,779 in real estate taxes, $4,976 in gifts by cash or check and $4,284 in other gifts. The campaign did not release a detailed list of those other donations.
Personal financial affairs forms required by the state provide limited information on candidates’ assets and debts, lacking exact values.
The state forms use five categories covering a range of dollar values, and the top value range has no ceiling, meaning anything worth more than $75,000 or $100,000 falls in the same category.
Rossi’s state disclosure lists four main sources of income. Proceeds from his biographical book, “Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life,” rent from an apartment building and pay from his former post as head of the nonprofit Forward Washington Foundation each are listed as $75,000 or more. Rent from a Mill Creek medical building was worth $30,000 to $74,999.
Rossi also listed a 30-year mortgage worth $75,000 or more and two checking and savings accounts worth $30,000 to $74,999.
Life insurance, a state retirement account, a mutual fund, stock in a Spokane technology company and ownership interest in the Everett AquaSox minor-league baseball team each were worth between $30,000 to $74,999. Stock in a Bellevue bank was worth $75,000 or more.
Gregoire’s state filing showed some more detail than her tax return. It lists a 15-year mortgage on their Olympia home as worth $40,000 to $99,999 and another debt secured by the home worth $4,000 to $19,999.
The Gregoires also reported a state worker retirement plan and unspecified stocks each worth $100,000 or more; a bond fund, investment account and IRA each worth $40,000 to $99,999; a second IRA worth $20,000 to $39,999 and a savings pool and savings plan each worth $4,000 to $19,999.
Two of the more colorful items were gifts: a $949 pair of skis from K2 Sports in Seattle and a $350 “customized cowboy hat” from the state Cattlemen’s Association.
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