Candidates Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna were both invited to meet with SEIU members to discuss their positions on healthcare, education, our collective bargaining rights, and the economy.
SEIU members are proud to recommend Jay Inslee as the best candidate for Governor based on his positions, leadership experience, and voting record.
Jay met with nurses, healthcare workers, child care providers, school employees, long-term care workers to discuss his positions and clearly demonstrated he will be a champion for working families in Washington.
Rob McKenna chose not to participate in the endorsement process or complete a candidate questionnaire.
Our Choice, Our Values
Which candidate should be Washington’s next Governor?
|
Jay Inslee |
Rob McKenna |
|
| Will be a voice for the rest of us—the 99%—and will help us fight back to restore the middle class.Voted to increase the minimum wage so families don’t have to choose between food, rent, health care and other essentials.1 |
Fighting |
Opposes the minimum wage, saying it contributes to increased unemployment.7Called unionization of public employees “dangerous”.8 |
| Fully supported healthcare reform that will:2Expand coverage to 32 million Americans.Make sure working families cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.Help seniors with prescriptions, and allow young adults to stay on their parents’ plan. |
Healthcare |
Led a national lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act, against the direction of our governor and legislature. The ACA was upheld by the Supreme Court.9 |
| Supported Initiative 1163, which improved training and provided background checks for caregivers. Champion for quality care for seniors and people with disabilities.3 |
Quality Care |
Opposed Initiative 1163, a measure to improve quality care.Pledged to block wage increases for some of our state’s lowest paid workers who care for Washington’s seniors and people with disabilities.10 |
| Repeatedly voted for more education funding.4Committed to ensuring that all students have quality schools and access to affordable colleges and universities. Stands with parents in the fight to restore state funding for quality child care and early learning. |
Education |
Supported conservative 2012 State Senate budget that cut $74 million from education, including K-12 programs and tuition assistance for higher education.11Supports charter schools, which take money from public education and have consistently been rejected by voters.12 |
| Voted against the Wall Street bailout and will hold big banks and mortgage companies responsible for the damage they’ve done to our economy.5 |
Challenging Corporate Greed |
Has taken thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Big Oil, insurance and payday lending companies.13Wants to privatize workers’ compensation, allowing big insurance companies to deny legitimate claims of injured Washington workers.14 |
| Strongly supports collective bargaining rights and the rights of all workers to organize and negotiate fair wages and benefits.6 |
Collective |
Wants to let politicians in Olympia change the terms of negotiated contracts without giving us any say.15 |
1. [HR 2206, Vote #424, 5/24/07; Congressional Quarterly; HR 3846, Vote #45, 3/09/00; HR 3846, Vote #43, 3/09/00]
2. Inslee Took a Leading Role In Health Care Reform, Sponsoring Pieces of Legislation; McKenna Suing Federal Government Over Health Reform. Government Health IT reported that both Inslee and McKenna have both played key roles in the health care debate. Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna is among the Attorney Generals suing the Federal Government over health care reform. [Government Health IT, 5/18/12]
3. Inslee Supported I-1163 – SEIU’s Initiative To Reinstate Training Requirements For Long-Term-Care Workers. In October 2011, The Seattle Times reported that Inslee supported I-1163, SEIU’s initiative to reinstate training requirements for long-term-care workers. “Given the importance of protecting the least among us, I will be voting in support of this measure,” Inslee said in a statement. “Initiatives with budgetary impacts pose unique problems, and the Legislature will still have to balance funding this with other priorities.” According to the paper, “I-1163 would require background checks and training for long-term-care workers and providers. It would essentially reinstate a measure approved by voters in 2008 that was delayed by the Legislature because of budget shortfalls.” [Seattle Times, 10/19/11]
“Given the importance of protecting the least among us, I will be voting in support of this measure. Initiatives with budgetary impacts pose unique problems, and the Legislature will still have to balance funding this with other priorities.” [Inslee, press release, 10/18/11]
4. [H.R. 6, 103rd Congress; Vote 456, 9/13/94; AP, 10/20/94; Vote 341, 7/09/03; Vote 802, 8/02/07; Vote 659, 12/21/10; HR 1586, Vote 518, 8/10/10; H.R. 3293, Vote #646; HR 3043, Vote #1050, 11/06/07]
5. “Fundamentally, the Romney-McKenna view in life is that the reason we have problems is because of homeowners not Wall Street. I have a fundamentally different view. So no, I do not believe that our economy collapsed because of home owners. I believe our economy collapsed because of Wall Street irresponsibility.” [Jay Inslee, AWB Debate, 6/12/12]
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2008/09/29/53242/inslee-joins-states-three-republicans.html
http://horsesass.org/?p=7607 Jay Inslee press release 09/28/2008
6. Inslee: “I’m Going To Stand Up For The Right Of People To Have Collective Bargaining In The State Of Washington.” In June 2011, The Columbian reported that Inslee said, “I’m going to stand up for the right of people to have collective bargaining in the state of Washington.” [Columbian, 6/30/11]
Inslee: “When We See Organized Rights Attacked, This Is An Attack On The Middle Class.” In June 2011, The Columbian reported that at the annual Clark County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Inslee gave his full support to union workers. “When we see organized rights attacked, this is an attack on the middle class,” said Inslee. [Columbian, 6/12/11]
7. The Columbian, 1/7/11
McKenna: A High Minimum Wage “Contributes To Increased Unemployment Among Young Workers And Minorities.” The Columbian reported, “But he said a high minimum wage contributes to increased unemployment among young workers and minorities…”[The Columbian, 1/7/11]
McKenna Endorsed “Training” Minimum Wage For Young Workers At Speech Before Battle Ground Chamber Of Commerce. The Columbian reported, “[McKenna] suggested that a ‘training wage’ could create jobs and opportunities for young people to learn work and life skills.” [The Columbian, 1/7/11]
McKenna Issued Opinion Informing Department of Labor And Industries It Could Not Raise Minimum Wage Even If Inflation Does Not Meet Level Current Rate Is Based On. According to the Associated Press, “The state Department of Labor and Industries asked Attorney General Rob McKenna if the state would be able to increase the minimum wage if inflation increases, but not above the level the current rate is based upon. In an opinion issued Wednesday, McKenna said no.” [AP, 9/17/10]
8. McKenna: A High Minimum Wage “Contributes To Increased Unemployment Among Young Workers And Minorities.” The Columbian reported, “But he said a high minimum wage contributes to increased unemployment among young workers and minorities…”[The Columbian, 1/7/11]
9. Inslee Took a Leading Role In Health Care Reform, Sponsoring Pieces of Legislation; McKenna Suing Federal Government Over Health Reform. Government Health IT reported that both Inslee and McKenna have both played key roles in the health care debate. Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna is among the Attorney Generals suing the Federal Government over health care reform. [Government Health IT, 5/18/12]
10. Seattle Times: McKenna Clear, Concise & Practical on Decision to Oppose I-1163 Long-Term Care Worker Initiative. Seattle Times editorial opined, “leadership is all about telling voters the truth about what the state can and cannot afford to do… Rob McKenna said he will vote against I-1163 because it is not funded and the state does not have the money. Clear, concise, practical. McKenna cited Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, who said she would like to see training increased but not now.” [Seattle Times, editorial, 10/26/11]
11. McKenna Supported Republican Budget Pushed Through Senate. In April 2012, the Spokesman-Review reported that McKenna supported the budget pushed through the senate by 22 Republicans and 3 Democrats late in regular session. [Spokesman-Review, 4/17/12]
12. www.robmckenna.org
13. www.pdc.wa.gov
14. McKenna Proposed Eliminating State Workers’ Comp Program In His Jobs 2.0 Plan. [McKenna for Governor, 4/2/12] McKenna for Governor, 4/2/12, McKenna, Question of the Week: Workers’ Compensation, 4/5/12, McKenna, New Direction breakfast, 11/8/11
15. McKenna Wants The Legislature To Be Able To Alter Collective-Bargaining Agreements. In April 2012, writing in The News Tribune, Richard S. Davis, president of the Washington Research Council, wrote that McKenna “recently laid out his budget principles… Among his specific proposals: He wants the Legislature to be able to alter collective-bargaining agreements during fiscal emergencies.” [The News Tribune, 4/04/12]
McKenna: Give Lawmakers A Greater Role In Collective Bargaining. In April 2012, The Olympia reported on McKenna’s budget proposals, including, “Labor reform – Give lawmakers a greater role in collective bargaining. A 2002 law that reformed civil service rules gave state workers the right to bargain for wages and health benefits. McKenna said that despite the $16.4 billion cost for worker pay and benefits in the current biennium, ‘the Legislature has little say in the process’ other than to vote for or against funding the contracts negotiated with the governor. McKenna would let the Legislature adopt amendments to the deal that the governor could send back over to unions for ratification.” [The Olympian, 4/02/12]