Gregoire and Rossi face off in final debate

Gov. Christine Gregoire and her Republican opponent, Dino Rossi, face off in their fifth and final debate tonight night, with both hoping to sway the millions of voters who will start getting their mail-in ballots this week.

The debate comes in the final weeks of a rematch that could be the most competitive governor's race in the nation.

Gregoire, a Democrat, beat Rossi four years ago by just 133 votes, after three vote counts and an unsuccessful Republican court challenge.

The primary and polls show it's going to be another tight race.

Rossi and Gregoire have raised almost $20 million combined in the most expensive election in Washington history. That amount doesn't include the millions spent by third party groups on TV ads and mailers.

The debate is expected to cover several issues, but the flagging economy is likely to be a top item.

Last month, the state's revenue forecast dropped by $530 million, pushing a projected shortfall in the next budget to about $3.2 billion.

Last week, Gregoire announced immediate budget savings of about $240 million, including a 1 percent across-the-board cut at state agencies.

Gregoire's plan, which could lead to government layoffs, is expected to boost the state's surplus to more than $400 million and deliver ongoing savings in the next state budget.

Add money from the state's new "rainy day" fund, and Gregoire says she's got a blueprint for cutting the next state budget's deficit nearly in half, from $3.2 billion to about $1.7 billion.

Wednesday's debate also comes while Rossi fights an effort to compel his testimony about allegations that he illegally coordinated fundraising with a major supporter, the Building Industry Association of Washington. A King County Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments in the case Thursday.

In court filings, Rossi's lawyers said forcing his testimony before next month's election "is a politically motivated effort to guarantee Mr. Rossi's unavailability to his campaign, to improperly employ the court system for political gain, and to unfairly sway voter sentiment in favor of Governor Gregoire."

The lawsuit was filed by two former state Supreme Court justices, Faith Ireland and Robert Utter, who have donated money to Gregoire's re-election campaign.

Election Day is Nov. 4, and absentee ballots in Washington's mostly vote-by-mail election must be sent to voters by Friday. If forced to testify, Rossi could give a deposition Oct. 20.

Meanwhile, prison workers have said they will rally outside the debate over the failure to reach a new contract with the state earlier this month. Teamsters Local 117 spokesman Paul Zilly said that they want equitable raises for everyone at all institutions. Zilly said that they'll be back at the bargaining table with the state later this month.

Wednesday night's debate is sponsored by KING-TV, The Seattle Times and public radio's Northwest News Network.