This Washington
Flip Flop of the Day: Randy Dorn on Gregoire's Education Plan
State schools Superintendent Randy Dorn reacted negatively to Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal
today to consolidate the state's education departments into one department under an education czar that she would appoint.
Dorn, who's currently elected like the AG, would report to Gregoire's czar (and basically, Gregoire), and his elected office could be eliminated.
Here's Dorn's response:
However, (and thanks to Jason Mercier at the Washington Policy Center for pointing this out), Dorn actually dug the idea back in 2008 when he was running for the office.
At the time, the Tacoma News Tribune reported:
Dorn, who's currently elected like the AG, would report to Gregoire's czar (and basically, Gregoire), and his elected office could be eliminated.
Here's Dorn's response:
Every governor I've known has wanted more power. They've tried to abolish offices. That is not in our Constitution. Ours is direct election by the citizens of this great state.
The governor can create any staff position she wants. Her proposal, however, would require the State Superintendent to report to a new Secretary of Education. I am an elected official: my boss is the people of this state, not the Governor.
However, (and thanks to Jason Mercier at the Washington Policy Center for pointing this out), Dorn actually dug the idea back in 2008 when he was running for the office.
At the time, the Tacoma News Tribune reported:
One interesting revelation from Thursday's debate between Randy Dorn and Terry Bergeson is that Dorn, the challenger, said he would support a constitutional amendment to eliminate the school superintendent as an elected office.
Dorn said the top schools job should be appointed, perhaps by the governor.
Bergeson, the 12-year-incumbent, said she thinks it should continue to be elected by the voters.
