McKenna, Inslee vow no new taxes with caveats

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Ballots are about to go out in Washington. In the race for governor, both candidates are pledging to veto tax hikes. But Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee also leave themselves some wiggle room.

The issue of taxes comes up a lot in the Washington race for governor. That’s because the state faces another $1B shortfall, plus the next governor will likely have to come up with $1B more for schools in the next budget. Republican McKenna says if elected he would veto any increase in state sales or business taxes. But he’s open to other revenue-generating ideas.

“If the legislature passes a change to the law that closes a loophole or a preference that they’ve concluded by the two-thirds majority isn’t need anymore, I would sign it,” McKenna said.

McKenna made his comments after receiving the endorsement of the Washington chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business. Democrat Inslee recently said he too would veto new taxes, but supports the idea of eliminating “ineffective tax loopholes.” Inslee also says he would pursue a funding package for transportation.

Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network