Governor Kulongoski Demonstrates Leadership on Ethics, Education, Taxes and the Environment; Saxton Continues to Duck and Dodge Issues that Matter to Oregonians

Governor Ted Kulongoski extended his string of dominant debate performances tonight in a debate against his opponent, Republican Ron Saxton, highlighting clear differences on ethics, schools, taxes and the environment.

“Tonight proved yet again why Governor Kulongoski is the real leader in the race,” said Kulongoski campaign manager Jim Ross. “A real leader takes responsibility and offers straight answers to questions, while Ron Saxton continued to skirt the issues and pass the buck on key questions to Oregonians.”

Ethics
Saxton refused to pledge to end outrageous gifts by lobbyists, while the Governor said he would ban the practice. When asked would he pledge, “I will not take any gifts from lobbyists including lodging, travel or meal, nor will my staff,” Governor Kulongoski unequivocally said “Yes.” Saxton continued his practice of waffling, saying that he had put out a “similar proposal” he needed to look at the question and would rather allow his staff to continue to receive gifts from lobbyists as long as they were within a “reasonable limit.”

Science in the Classroom
Governor Kulongoski again made clear that he feels education in our classrooms should be based in science, not ideology. Saxton, who ducked the question in the primary debate and later said he didn’t know enough about local laws, Saxton continued to waffle on the teaching of creationism, saying “let the teachers teach the science they think is there.” [Oregonian, 4/15/06]

Taxes
Kulongoski continued to make his case for tax fairness in Oregon, calling for saving the corporate kicker, an estimated 80 percent of which will go to out-of-state corporations, in a rainy day fund to support priorities like education, health care and public safety. Saxton continued to protect his corporate backers, saying he favors the over 60 percent tax credit they will likely receive under the Kicker law.

Environment
Saxton claimed that he “wanted clean air” but then he would consider rolling back Governor Kulongoski new clean car standards that will reduce automobile air pollution by 27 percent. Instead, Saxton said he would rely on the Bush administration to address air pollution and global warming.

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