Sunday, Oct. 05, 2008

Gloves come off for House race between Haler, Welch

By the Herald staff

The state House race between Rep. Larry Haler and challenger Rob Welch has all the elements of a personal grudge match.

Both Republicans are former Richland mayors who have brought their conflicts from their time on the city council to their 8th District legislative contest.

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"I don't necessarily question Larry's work ethic," Welch said. "I question his ethics."

Haler said, "I've far exceeded anything he's ever done in his life. My resume outdoes his tenfold."

Haler outpolled Welch 56 percent to 44 percent in the August primary and has a commanding fundraising advantage. He has raised more than $86,000, which includes big checks from a blend of big business and labor interests across the state, plus smaller checks from individuals in the Tri-Cities.

Welch has raised more than $11,000, mostly from individuals in the district.

Behind all the animosity, accusations and misinformation are the issues. Both candidates oppose raising taxes to plug a potential budget deficit. Both are vague, however, when it comes to proposing specific program cuts.

Both oppose gay marriage

Haler opposes entering the state into a multistate cap and trade compact that would seek to curb carbon emissions, while Welch admits he doesn't know enough about the issue to take a stand.

Welch fashions himself as more conservative. Most notably, he criticizes Haler for voting in 2005 for a gas tax and vehicle fee increase for highway projects. In Benton County, 56 percent of voters supported a failed referendum that fall to repeal the tax and fee package.

Haler defends his vote because the package funded projects to improve the Highway 395 interchange with Highway 240 in Kennewick, widen Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass and to help widen Highway 12 between Pasco and Walla Walla.

In a May campaign speech still posted on his website, Welch argues Haler has taken 43 budget votes in four years and only eight were no votes, suggesting Haler has helped drive up state spending.

But Haler has voted against all four operating budgets that were approved by majority Democrats during his tenure. The other votes included votes for generally noncontroversial transportation and construction budgets.

"I may have been given misinformation in the beginning of the campaign," Welch acknowledged, repeating what he said when he announced his campaign in May.

Welch also hopes to seek tougher penalties for sex predators, and he argues Haler has to share blame for the failed recruitment of the Areva uranium enrichment plant to Richland. "I would have contacted everyone involved in that process," Welch said.

Haler said he was told by the Tri-City Development Council that it would handle the recruitment effort, which included appeals to Gov. Chris Gregoire for help. The company did not seek help from legislators.

Haler said in a third term he'd continue efforts to have the Washington Assessment of Student Learning program replaced with cheaper computer-scored tests that are more diagnostic and deliver results more quickly. He says he'd also support raising the income threshold for small businesses that pay the state business and occupation tax and would increase penalties on teachers who have sex with students.

Haler takes credit for opening a district office in the Tri-Cities and for making himself available to the public through a series of events he's held throughout the district.

He also supports consolidating parts of various agency budgets to achieve economies of scale. For instance, he said money could be saved by having a centralized information technology department that would serve all agencies.

Personal animosity

Haler and Welch agree their personal animosity is rooted in the time they served together on the Richland City Council. Welch believed Haler browbeat other council members. Haler believes Welch conspired with other members to try to push him off the council.

Hard feelings continued when Haler was elected to the Legislature and the council began having troubles with a tire recycling company owned by Haler's former campaign manager Jim Penor and the daughters of Rep. Shirley Hankins, R-Richland.

As a component of that, the city began investigating whether Penor, who also was the city's solid waste disposal supervisor at its municipal landfill, had used city resources to aid the private company. As the city's lengthy investigation dragged on, Haler intervened on behalf of his friend and accused Welch of a vendetta.

The state's Legislative Ethics Board later held that Haler did not break state ethics laws in the matter and also dismissed Welch's allegation that Haler had sought to have Welch's personal life investigated.

Welch continues to insist Haler crossed the line and is using it in his campaign.

"I can build relationships based on integrity and trust," Welch said.

He further accuses Haler of refusing to meet with city officials and says Haler wouldn't support funding for city projects, which Haler vehemently disputes.

"For people to bear false witness against me, I find it kind of outrageous," Haler said.

Welch also accuses Haler of telling Welch's supporters that he is being investigated for fraud. Haler says he's tried to woo some Welch supporters and that he is aware of an investigation or investigations being conducted by the Attorney General's Office. But as to whether he has told Welch supporters about them, Haler said, "I do not remember."

For his part, Haler has raised questions about the appropriateness of some city council executive sessions under Welch. Haler also has sponsored sunshine legislation to make government actions more transparent and has specifically cited Richland as not following the letter of the law.

Haler also has raised conflict of interest questions about why Welch, who had a conditional use permit to live in his business, voted on a broad zoning ordinance that allowed that mixed use.

"I can say without reservation that any time I ever thought there was an ethical conflict I would step out of a position of authority on that," Welch replied. "I never felt at the time I had a conflict."

And Haler criticizes a deal to sell Welch two pieces of city-owned land that was unanimously approved by the city council only five weeks after Welch's term in office ended. Haler also argues the price was too low.

"It may have been legal, but was it right for the citizens of this district or the people of this city?" Haler asked.