Admin Note - The following was presented by the Dino Rossi Campaign:





Problems
. Governor Gregoire has increased spending by 33%, blown through a $2.1 billion surplus and has set us up for a $937 million deficit by the next budget. (Source: 2006 Supplemental Omnibus Budget Overview; Washington Economic Revenue Forecast, March 2007; Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee, Six Year Outlook, January 2008.)

. During the 2004 campaign, Gregoire promised no tax increases. Right after being certified as governor, the Seattle Times asked her if she would keep her no-tax promise. She answered: "Well...I never really said NO taxes." (Seattle Times. Full plate to greet Gregoire. 12/31/04) She then raised taxes by nearly half a billion dollars - equal to $4,000 in new spending per family. (Seattle Times. What Governor Gregoire said - and did. 5/1/05)

. Gregoire also supports a state income tax. She told the Spokesman-Review this in April 2007, and said the public has not been sufficiently educated on its merits. (Spokesman Review. Public education is_first step to updating system. 4/25/07)


Solutions
. Dino is committed to responsible state spending and efficient use of your tax dollars. As state senator in 2003, he chaired the committee that wrote the state budget. Despite facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, he wrote a budget that paid for state services and protected our most vulnerable citizens - without raising taxes.

. He does not support a state income tax or the death tax.

. As state senator, he joined Gov. Gary Locke in backing "Priorities of Government" for state budgeting. This process identified the most important functions of state government and prioritized spending accordingly. As governor, he will restore the "Priorities of Government."

. Dino will keep the size of state government in check and only hire new employees when there’s a need.



Problems
. Last year, only one-third of 10th graders passed all parts of the WASL. (OSPI 2006-07 Washington State Report Card)

. In 2007, a total of 281 schools failed to meet annual performance goals – up from 250 the year before. The number of districts on the “needs improvement” list grew to 30. (Seattle PI, Feds flunk 281 state schools for missing goals. 8/25/07)

. Gregoire's Washington Learns task force was assigned to study education funding and develop a new formula. After 18 months and $1.7 million, the conclusion? More study is needed. (Source: Washington Learns Final Report) Now the state is being sued for not having a valid funding formula. (Seattle PI. Judge rules school salary allocation is inequitable. 11/3/07).

Solutions
. Dino will make funding education one of his top priorities.

. Dino will reward successful teachers. When teachers and principals consistently succeed he believes they should be paid more.

. Our students need to do better in math and science and we must focus our resources on these crucial subjects. The current system does not give school districts the flexibility to pay qualified math and science teachers higher salaries. That needs to change so we can attract and keep good math and science teachers.

. Did you know that Bill Gates is not qualified to teach computer science in our schools under current regulations? We must make it easier to allow talented people to teach part-time by changing the rules on accreditation.

. Standardized testing should be used to judge the system - not just the students. And failure must be dealt with accordingly.

. When we see consistent failure, Dino wants to make it easier for local school districts to encourage failing teachers to find another profession. When a school or school district consistently fails, he wants to empower principals and communities to be able to select better teachers and new school board members.

. The state needs to understand that students who are not successful on the WASL still have
the potential to succeed. Our schools need more alternative pathways for students who do not necessarily excel on the WASL.



Problems
. An October 2007 audit report from Democratic State Auditor Brian Sonntag concluded WSDOT needs to focus on congestion as a primary goal. (2007 WSDOT Performance Audit Report) Acting Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond disagreed and said that congestion relief would still not be a priority. (Seattle Times, State audit proposes adding tolls, lanes. 10/11/07)

. Gregoire pushed through a 9.5 cent gas tax increase, the largest gas tax increase in state history, promising congestion relief. (Washington Policy Center. Initiative 912 Fuels Debate Over New Gas Tax. 5/08/05) And state gas tax revenue is falling short of expectations - $1.5 billion short. (Seattle Times. "Heartburn" over roads: State fears $1.5B shortfall. 10/4/07) Many projects promised by Gregoire are drastically over budget or being cut altogether. (Seattle Times. Highway projects' tab goes up 31%. 1/02/07)

. Gregoire has known that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is unstable. Despite saying "no action is not an option, " she still has no plan for its replacement. (Seattle Times. Governor's statement. 1/18/07)

. Gregoire is also gambling on a finance plan for the 520 Bridge, again revealing poor planning and broken promises to the public. She thinks the best way to handle the situation is to hire people with state tax dollars to mediate the problem. The group's report will not be ready until December 2008. This is not leadership. (Seattle PI. 520 bridge financing falls short. 4/3/07)

. According to our State Auditor, our state ferry system is also in trouble - while blame is diverted to anyone but the governor. (Washington State Ferries Executive Summary Report) (Everett Herald. Ferry solutions mired in blame. 7/23/07)

Solutions
. Dino will make congestion relief his number one transportation priority.

. He will ensure transportation projects get done. A WSDOT under his leadership will find the streamlined areas of efficiency and implement them.

. Democratic State Auditor Brian Sonntag is leading an important effort to eliminate waste and improve state government. Many of his recommendations, including making congestion relief apriority, have yet to be implemented. Dino will make sure they are.

. Dino will make decisions on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the 520 Bridge.

. He will improve the state's ferry system, ensuring routes are efficient, safety inspections are thorough, and accounting methods are updated and accurate.



Problems
. In 2006, Gregoire's Department of Corrections (DOC) allowed 3,144 felons to be released early from prisons. Not one felon was released due to overcrowding. In the face of intense scrutiny, Gregoire eventually ordered the DOC to stop the early release of felons. But two weeks later, they resumed the practice. (Seattle Times. State DOC resumes early felon releases. 3/14/07)

. Three law enforcement officers were killed by early-release felons. Gregoire's response was to shift the blame and call for yet another study. (Tacoma News Tribune. Another case of 'mistakes were made'. 3/16/07)

. The State currently does not know the location of 1300 sex offenders.

. The state does not have current contact information for over 1,000 foster parents. (Seattle PI. Quarter of state's foster parents can't be reached. 9/20/07)

. Too many innocent children have fallen through the cracks of Gregoire's Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Children are dying, being sexually abused and tortured because of the lack of state oversight. (Seattle Times. Another child slips through the cracks. 8/7/07) For its failure to protect children the state is now being sued. ([u]Associated Press. Foster children file millions in claims against state. 1/27/07)

Solutions
. Dino will end the practice of early release for violent felons.

. He will give community correction officers the tools they need to do their jobs and keep our neighborhoods safe.

. Dino will track sex offenders by requiring them to register their DNA with the state,
increasing penalties for sex offenders who fail to register their address, requiring sex offenders to register their e-mail addresses and online activities, and requiring all Level 3 sex offenders to be outfitted with real time GPS technology.

. Dino will focus on building new prisons. With the number of prisoners on the rise, we must take steps now to keep offenders in prison and keep our communities safe.