Gregoire issues 'apology' for outdated facts

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, and an air of smug satisfaction, the Gregoire for governor campaign issued a statement today apologizing for citing facts in their most recent television advertisement that have since been proven outdated.

The issue in question is the state's business climate ranking according to Forbes magazine. The ad states that Washington is the fifth best state in the union in which to do business according to 2007 rankings. 2008's list, which was released today, bumps the state up to third.

"We apologize to anyone who was misled into believing that Washington is the fifth best place to do business when, in fact, we are ranked third," said Gregoire press secretary Aaron Toso.

Both state Republicans and Dino Rossi's campaign have made issue of what they call the state's overly regulated and overly taxed business arena, hitting Gregoire often on increasing state spending by a third and covering for it with tax increases. Rossi's latest ad calls for an "improved climate for small business to keep jobs here."

In their defense, the magazine placed Washington 28th in business costs, an "index based on cost of labor, energy and taxes." Given the state's relatively low hydropower energy costs, that presumably accounts for high labor and tax costs for businesses. Washington currently has the country's highest minimum wage. However, Forbes also said that "one of Washington's big strengths is reduced red tape."

Two of Washington's other main strengths dealt with a growing labor force and increased business openings and venture capital investments. In both categories the state ranked 2nd. 

Finally, to tread on uncommon ground as far as PolitickerWA.com goes, if the Forbes rankings provide any insight to the current presidential veepstakes races, it should be noted that Democratic Governor Tim Kaine's Virginia ranked first among states, while Bill Richardson's New Mexico came in 15th and Kathleen Sebelius' Kansas hit number 21. On the Republican side, potential second bananas Charlie Crist's Florida was a strong 8th and Tim Pawlenty's Minnesota was not far behind at 11th overall, but Bobby Jindal's Louisiana came in a dismal 49th.