Taxes are a hot topic at tense gubernatorial debate

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna couldn’t mask the growing tension between them Wednesday as they sparred frequently on policies and personal matters in their second gubernatorial debate.

Standing shoulder to shoulder for the hour-long match-up, each agreed that increasing funding for public schools and colleges is a top priority for the state’s next governor and each made their strongest pledge yet to not propose higher taxes or an income tax if elected.

But they questioned each other’s approach for coming up with the money, revitalizing the private sector and stimulating creation of new jobs.

They clashed most sharply on a personal matter: their income tax returns.

Inslee released five years of his returns last week then called on McKenna to do the same. He reiterated his request during the debate.

“Why do you feel you are exempt from this expectation,” Inslee said.

McKenna responded tersely: “I feel I am exempt from a lot of your expectations, congressman,” he said. He called the demand “laughable” and discussing it in the debate was a waste of time as anyone could go online to find out about his income, debts and investments from forms he files annually with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Inslee countered the governor is the chief executive officer of a multi-billion dollar organization and the public should be able to see the returns “to make sure they have no doubts” about the person they put in the job.

Wednesday’s debate in front of 200 people on the campus of Washington State University in Vancouver was their first face-to-face meeting since Inslee and McKenna took the top two spots in the Aug. 7 primary. Additional debates are planned Oct. 2 in Yakima and Oct. 16 in Seattle.

McKenna, who is trying to become the state’s first Republican governor since John Spellman in the early 80s, spent much of the evening on the offensive. He repeatedly jabbed Inslee for pushing recycled ideas and a “stubborn refusal to talk in specifics” for voters to know what he’ll do if elected.

“We’re not hearing any new ideas here,” he said. “We’re not hearing anything that needs to change.”

On taxes, Inslee said he was “not proposing to raise taxes” though he did believe the state needs more revenue for services and schools. And he said he also opposed a state income tax.

McKenna, who said he “will not propose tax rate increases,” questioned Inslee’s no-tax pledge given his words echoed those of Gov. Chris Gregoire before she endorsed raising some taxes.

As expected, several questions focused on issues of most concern to residents of southwest Washington. Chief among them is whether they supported construction of a new span across the Columbia River linking Vancouver and Portland and how they would cover its estimated $3 billion cost.

McKenna called the project “too important to jeopardize” but expressed concern that the burden of the costs could fall unfairly on Washington residents.

Inslee said moving forward with the project is imperative for the region, the state and the nation and a consensus must be reached on a financing package. He also said it would not be built “unless we find a way to get light rail onto this bridge.”

Education funding received attention too.

It is a central issue in this year’s campaign since the high court concluded in January that the state isn’t meeting its constitutional obligation to fully fund basic education. In the so-called McCleary decision, justices gave state lawmakers until 2018 to fix the way the state pays for education.

Both men insisted they’ll be able to make a sizable down payment in the next two years without increasing taxes.

McKenna contends he can come up with $1.7 billion for education primarily by redirecting money from non-education programs into classrooms. He said some of those dollars would come from limiting what other departments spend and paying less of the health care tab of state workers.

Inslee said he will find more money for schools and colleges by trimming wasteful spending, lowering health care costs and generating revenue from a revived economy.

McKenna, 49, in his second term as attorney general, and Inslee, 61, a former congressman, are dueling in one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial races.

McKenna is trying to become the state’s first Republican governor since John Spellman was elected to the job in 1980.

A spate of polls before the primary showed them essentially tied. In that election, Inslee bested McKenna 47 percent to 43 percent though the turnout was less than half of what is expected in November.

As they headed out of Vancouver on Wednesday, McKenna led Inslee in the competition for dollars.

McKenna has raised nearly $8.25 million to Inslee’s $7.8 million, according to information posted online with the state Public Disclosure Commission. McKenna’s spent $4 million of his pot while Inslee has paid out $4.6 million of his, records show.

Both campaigns have accused the other of violating the state’s election finance laws.

Inslee contends McKenna failed to disclose certain debts and expenses in a timely manner. McKenna alleges Inslee made illegal transfers of money from unspent funds in his congressional campaign account to the gubernatorial account.

As of Wednesday, the Public Disclosure Commission had not opened a formal investigation into either complaint.

Wednesday’s debate will be rebroadcast on TVW. For dates and times, go to www.tvw.org.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.