Oregon Public Broadcasting

The two candidates for Washington governor faced each other in Spokane Thursday.

In their second-to-last debate, Democrat Chris Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi sparred over the state budget, taxes and health care in an increasingly testy campaign.  Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

This was the only debate tailored for Spokane voters. And their commute was a big issue.

Spokane’s North-South Freeway is the partially finished hub that been in the works for more than 50 years.

Rossi and Gregoire agreed it’s high on their priority lists. But Rossi says the governor’s plan to finish the freeway calls for a toll.

Dino Rossi: “That’s what the local people in Spokane have been told is that ‘you need to come up with more money to do this.’ I think you’ve been paying enough in gas taxes.”

Gregoire says Rossi’s plan for the freeway would take money from the general fund, meaning there would be less money for education and social services.

Gregoire says Rossi’s plan would shortchange eastern Washington.

Chris Gregoire: “He has a transportation plan that will fill a total of eight projects in eastern Washington. We’re filling 90 projects.”

Gregoire and Rossi will have one more debate next Wednesday in Seattle.