Washington Governor Christine Gregoire On Why She Gave Newspapers A Tax Break

The Daily Beast:

As she becomes the first governor in the nation to funnel taxpayer money into her state's ailing newspaper industry this week, Washington State's Chris Gregoire is being hailed as a crusader for the survival of the press. In an exclusive interview, she talks about why the folding of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's print edition affected her so profoundly, her own brief stint as a journalist--and why she won't get a free pass from the reporters whose careers she's helping to save.

Read the whole story: The Daily Beast

Comments

[Tulka2]

I know, Gov, i wake up every morning and get a little dizzy and disoriented for lack of "The Seattle Post Intelligencer" too. For the first time in my life there is no morning paper. You were not in time to save the best paper in Washington, but i agree with Thomas Jefferson who said something like, "It's better to have a newspaper than a government". Especially when D.C. looks increasingly Zombie. Think they caught that from the Zombie banks.

Anyway... i want journalists and don't care how you send me their news.

[Gasparilla]

This is not an issue of whether "tax cuts work". This is an issue of whether we are going to have newspapers, something vital to any country. If tax breaks are the only thing that keeps them in business, then we need to do it. We may not need another fast food store, but we need newspapers.

The Tucson Citizen just announced yesterday that it will be going to an online only edition. And before we have all the comments from the ultra hip about how that's a good thing and print papers should go the way of the dinosaur, they have announced that the online edition will carry only national news and commentary. Because no one is going to pay for an online daily community newspaper. It won't happen.

What will be lost is the in depth local stories [besides crash on freeway] and the local scrutiny of politicians, to which only print newspapers generally can and will devote the time and resources needed. But go ahead and get back to what you were doing. You can't get through the day unless you know what Ashton is twittering about every five minutes.

[SouthPrairie]

Gov. Gregoire,

We feel betrayed. How could you sign off on a state wide cut that would increase the classrooms of our teachers throughout our state. How could you sign off on a state wide cut that forces districts to cut classes that are often times the only classes that keep kids in school? How could you sign off on a state wide cut that discourages our brightest and best new teachers to seek another profession.

To me it was a cheap shot right at both your constituency and the most vulnerable citizens of our state.

I will not be voting for you again, and I would venture to say that many teachers feel the same way.

How could you malign the segment of society that volunteers more hours to our youth than any other?

Slapping down education? Really? Well you went with that, and I hope you feel the time ticking, for we will not forget.

[mikefina]

I friggin f--n defy you to find an election where the Seattle Times DIDN"T endorse Christine Gregoire.

[liberalbug]

Sorry to burst your bubble dude. Times is the conservative paper in WA:

2004: Republican Rossi endorsed: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/endorsements/2002064998_dinoed17.html

Last year (2008). Soon to be two time loser Rossi endorsed again by the Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008279880_edit19rossiendorse.html

So now that you have f--n defied people to find an election where Gregoire was not endorsed and I have found two, what's in it for me?

[SouthPrairie]

She may have given newspapers a tax break, but she sure hasn't given teachers a break. Our district is trying to reduce our wages by 1600 dollars. Not feeling the love.

[mikefina]

tough S. Try working instead of marching.

[SouthPrairie]

Wow Mike. You must be a nasty man.

Teachers volunteer more unpaid hours than any other profession. In fact, if teachers staged a simple brown out nation wide for just one quarter, then America and all of America's parents would see just what it takes to teach their youth.

And by the way, do you ever post without profanity?

[BikeFreak]

No man. Not cool.

I am not a teacher...because I know how hard the work is, how they are taken for granted, and how very little in the way of pay they earn.

Mikefina, if you can read this, thank a teacher. If you have a job because you had some knowledge about something, thank a teacher.

Your mother should have raised you better. Show a bit of respect.

[ohiomark]

So a left wing Governor is giving a tax break to help an ailing industry.

I guess tax breaks DO help companies, gee what a concept!!

Why not give EVERYONE a tax break and the economy might improve.

[thundermummy]

You sir, like the Smell the Glove album cover, are brilliant.

[Gasparilla]

I think she gave them a tax break because she considers newspapers vital to the community. Just my guess.

[Khirad]

Forget about the Times and bring back the P-I! As to the Columbian declaring bankruptcy, I hope it folds. Anyone with half a brain read the Vancouver metro section in the Oregonian instead. Way to go building that new six-story office building, it will make a nice new City Hall.

[iridium53]

Cuz they'll be nicer to her?

She says no free pass? She's kidding right?

Politicians are funny. Really funny. Does anyone actually believe her?
Very droll.

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

Another Liberal DIMocrat admitting that Tax Cut works!

[Khirad]

Somebody has to, I guess. The Washington State Republican Party is a laughing stock.

[mikefina]

This is government usurpation of one of the last bastions of liberty--an informed populace. Now that the Blethen's are financially beholded to the Governor (and by extension her party), what is the likelihood that unbiased reporting will be forthcoming? Nevermind the Editorial slant which is forthwith uncredible.

[tailgateshirts]

Well, there wouldnt be ANY way to inform people without the help. What do you prefer? Probably not to inform anyone, just like the taliban

[mikefina]

Just like the Taliban, you are allowing the message to be shaped, written and held hostage to a cohort of like-minded, financially coerced, and intellectually intimidated aparachiks. Beholden to the agent whom controls the purse-strings.

You mean that kind of Taliban. The party controlled news.

[JackNasty]

Gov. Gregoire's generous bailout check to right-wing, neighbor's dog-shootin', billionaire publisher of the Seattle Times, Frank Blethen seems more like corporate welfare than a boost to honest journalism.

Just because something appears on newsprint doesn't make it journalism

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

Another Liberal Dem admitting that Tax Cut works!