“Republican Rob McKenna’s response to Kendra Obom shows a complete disregard for those who are unemployed and looking to the gubernatorial candidates for a real plan to create jobs in Washington State,” said Benton Strong, communications director for the Washington State Democrats. “With more than 288,000 Washingtonians out of work, including construction workers, manufacturers, educators, and transportation workers, McKenna’s stereotype about the jobless in Washington was both insulting and flat out wrong. Kendra Obom has a job.

“Thankfully, Jay Inslee has a real plan to put Washington back to work, through innovation and clean energy, that will help rebuild the middle class. Our next governor needs to be focused on these priorities if the 288,000 Washingtonians are going to have a real chance to ‘go get a job.’”

Background

McKenna Responds to Reproductive Parity Act Question by Telling Questioner to “Go Get A Job.” Rob McKenna responded to Kendra Obom’s question about his position on the Reproductive Parity Act by telling Obom to “go get a job.” Obom is employed at the YMCA in Seattle, yet McKenna stereotyped the young questioner as unemployed. Given the opportunity to express remorse for his public treatment of Obom, McKenna doubled down on his attacks on people who are willing to question him as an elected official, after he went months without responding to questions about his position on the legislation.

By contrast, Jay Inslee immediately supported the Reproductive Parity Act, legislation necessary to maintain the access to abortion coverage Washington women have now. As we implement the Affordable Care Act some women, who as a result of voter approved Initiative 120 currently have access to abortion coverage, are at risk of losing that access without this bill. The Reproductive Parity Act will safeguard that access regardless of what other choices we make as we implement the health care exchange.

“Women should not be forced to make health care decisions based on what is covered by their insurance plan,” said Valerie Brady Rongey, vice chair of the Washington State Democrats. “Women in Washington State have been guaranteed their right to choose for more than 40 years, with that commitment reaffirmed in 1991. The Reproductive Parity Act will preserve and strengthen that basic commitment, making Rob McKenna’s silence on the issue that much more stunning.”

While McKenna initially said he would not comment on the recent budget debate in Olympia, he then flipped his stance and interfered in the process, something both Governor Gregoire and legislative leaders called unhelpful and destructive. Now, despite his campaigns claims that gubernatorial candidates should comment on issues facing the legislature, McKenna has been completely silent on the Reproductive Parity Act.

Timeline

March 6, 2012: McKenna Still Has Not Commented On Reproductive Parity Act. Nicole Broder in the Seattle Times reported that McKenna still had not taken a position on Reproductive Parity Act. Broder wrote, “But McKenna has not commented. I tried to reach him, but he’s in Washington, D.C., for the National Association of Attorneys General meeting and wasn’t available for comment.” [Nicole Broder, Seattle Times, 3/6/12]

January 30, 2012: McKenna Still Had Not Taken Position. According to the Stranger, as of January 30, 2012, McKenna still had not taken a position on the Reproductive Parity Act. [The Stranger, 1/30/12]

January 13, 2012: McKenna Avoided Taking A Stance On The Issue. According to the Huffington Post, “Abortion is already becoming a wedge issue in Washington’s highly competitive gubernatorial race. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), who is running for governor and has a strong pro-choice record in Congress, immediately pledged his support for the bill. Republican candidate Rob McKenna, who currently serves as the state’s Attorney General, has avoided taking a stance on the issue…McKenna’s dodge could help him win over anti-abortion advocates in the state, who strongly oppose the proposed mandate.” [Huffington Post, 1/13/12]

On Facebook, McKenna Posted On His Wall That He Looked Forward To Reading The Bill When It Becomes Available. During a Facebook Wall Chat with McKenna, he posted, “Regarding the proposed parity act, I look forward to reading the bill when it becomes available. I believe providing access to reproductive health services is critical, and fortunately private insurers currently are doing so. I also want to read the bill so that, as Attorney General, I can understand how my clients such as DOH would be affected.” [McKenna, Facebook Wall Chat, 1/10/12]

• The Stranger Noted That Cody’s Reproductive Parity Act Had Already Been Posted When McKenna Made This Facebook Comment. According to the Stranger, Rep. Cody’s Reproductive Parity Act had already been posted. They hyperlinked to the bill. [The Stranger, 1/11/12]

“We rejected this idea two years ago because it hurts small business like the one I started with my partner 10 years ago,” said Deb Schaack, Business Manager of Central Physical Therapy and Fitness, in Seattle. “The current workers’ comp program in Washington stresses getting people back to work quickly and prioritizes health over profit, something we value strongly. When private insurance companies prioritize profit, businesses and injured workers lose out.”

McKenna has repeatedly said he wants to introduce “competition” into our worker’s compensation program, which is politi-speak for allowing private insurance companies to come in and maximize their profits. This is yet another issue where McKenna stands against the will of the voters, and it could cost small businesses up to $315 million each year in increased premiums for small businesses. McKenna’s talking points on the issue line up with those of the supporters of I-1082, calling the state’s system a “monopoly,” even as many call it great for workers in Washington State. It is no surprise McKenna has taken over $150,000 from private insurance companies for his campaigns.