Gov. Chris Gregoire made clear Monday she’s supporting an initiative to create an income tax on the state’s wealthy and opposing two ballot measures to privatize sales of hard liquor.
Gregoire shared her positions during the Ask the Governor program on KCTS 9, a public television station in Seattle.
Here are excerpts from her comments released by the station:
On 1098:
“You know, my hat goes off to Bill Gates, Sr., and I’m gonna vote yes… because I can’t figure any other way to pay for education in the state of Washington other than what Bill Gates Sr.’s brought forward. And if we’re not willing to do this, then I fear the financial success of our children and our state if we’re really not going to really invest in their future through their education.”
On extending the tax to everyone:
“The law, in order to change it, really would require a two-thirds majority vote to amend it or change it…. So I can’t assure you of anything, but I can tell you I would veto it as Governor. And I can tell you I don’t think it will ever arrive on my desk, because I don’t think there’s a legislature that would ever do it.”
On 1100, 1105
“Right now, to do what is being proposed by those initiatives would deplete our coffers by about $300 million dollars… so I’m a no vote on both of them. I can’t afford the loss of revenue. Do I think that we should reform liquor? Yes. And I would expect the legislature to pick up where the voters left off and still do something important in that area. But at this point in time I just have to go with what I’ve seen are just heartwrenching cuts to human lives, and I just can’t afford to say yes and lose $300 million.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
