Republicans see too much tax and spend in Gregoire's message

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Republicans agree with Gov. Chris Gregoire on one thing: Jobs are the way out of the current economic doldrums.

But they see little common ground on much else.

"I think what she's presenting is a false choice between all or nothing," Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, said Tuesday after Gregoire's State of the State speech before a joint session of the 2010 Legislature in Olympia.

Chandler and other members of the Yakima and Kittitas valleys' all-Republican delegation said Gregoire made overtures to the private sector's role in job creation and the philosophy of limited government. But her bottom line, they said, was about spending and taxing.

"You can cut and raise taxes or truly reform government and create jobs," said Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum. "What she's really saying is we have to raise taxes."

Hinkle, whose district includes Central Washington University, also criticized the term "tuition flexibility," likening it to a subterfuge.

"It means they're going to raise tuition, for crying out loud. We're going to ask people to pay more again," Hinkle said.

Tuition at Central and other four-year institutions rose 14 percent last year.

Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, said he found a few positive notes in the speech, such as the governor's initiative to streamline government permitting processes and the move already implemented to offer online driver's license renewal.

But Ross said Gregoire should freeze planned wage increases for unionized state employees.

"I can't believe the governor wants to raise taxes in the same year she's giving wage increases. There should be a call-to-action either by her or through a House resolution that we put a freeze on step increases until we come out of this situation," Ross said.

Chandler and Hinkle both doubt that Gregoire will be able to make good on her vow to listen to alternatives from Republicans for closing the $2.6 billion shortfall. Democratic lawmakers control both chambers of the Legislature.

"My sense is the majority is not enthusiastic about doing that," Chandler said.

Said Hinkle: "I like her on a personal level. She has the ability to work with us. But whether she has the courage is another question."

Chandler also said the governor's willingness to accept more federal stimulus money sets a trap for the state's taxpayers.

"Some of that stimulus money requires permanent changes that obligate us when the money runs out. We inherit the federal obligation, and that's not worth the long-term impact to our economy," he said.

Chandler and Hinkle also chided the governor for talking up her accountability effort, Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP).

In her speech, she mentioned it had been selected as a top program by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

The program is supposed to hold state agencies responsible for their performance and show citizens that their tax dollars are being wisely invested.

Said Chandler: "GMAP doesn't cut it."

* Leah Beth Ward can be reached at 509-577-7626 or lward@yakimaherald.com