Photo by John Larson
FUNNY MONEY. Representatives of Washington State Labor Council gathered in Tacoma Oct. 21 to condemn what they consider Dino Rossi’s attempt to buy the governor’s race with special interest money.
A major statewide labor organization is blasting Dino Rossi, the Republican candidate for governor, with a series of demonstrations where labor union advocates claim he is trying to buy the election with millions of dollars in contributions from groups they label as “extreme right-wing special interest groups.”
The Republican Governor’s Association has contributed a total of $5.5 million to Rossi’s campaign, with $4.5 million of that coming in the latest filing period.
The contributions were made under the name Washington State RGA PAC.
Change PAC has been another major contributor to Rossi’s campaign. The group is funded primarily through Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), a construction industry group that is a major supporter of Republican candidates in this state. Change PAC has contributed a total of $7.25 million to Rossi in the campaign.
Rossi and his supporters have been critical of his Democratic opponent, Governor Chris Gregoire, in this campaign for accepting donations from Indian tribes. They have alleged such donations are improper because the tribes operate casinos and have accused Gregoire of supporting provisions in gaming compacts for tribes in exchange for campaign donations.
The governor has vigorously denied this, and has stated the compacts she signed helped curb the expansion of gambling in the state.
In 2007 and 2008, non-tribal gambling interests have donated at least $787,000 to the RGA. These interests are based in Las Vegas, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. Some of the money came from American Gaming Association, an industry group based in Washington, D.C.
Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) launched a public awareness campaign this week to alert the public of the infusion of what they term “Dino Dollars” into the campaign.
Representatives of the labor group gathered in front of the Pierce County Elections Center Oct. 21 with bags stuffed full of play money bearing Rossi’s face on one side.
WSLC Communications Director Kathy Cummings said Rossi recently accepted $7.5 million in “special interest” contributions, money that came in a day before a deadline that would have limited contributions to just $5,000.
She noted BIAW is under investigation for allegations of violating campaign finance laws.
“The BIAW already owns Dino Rossi. Now they want to buy the governor’s office,” Cummings remarked.
Tacoma was the first stop on the public awareness tour. Cummings said it will visit other cities around the state.
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