Candidates discuss issues at Monroe luncheon
U.S. 2, the economy, and health care were top among the topics discussed by political competitors at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday. Five candidates, including opponents Dan Kristiansen and Scott Olson, Val Stevens and Fred Walser, and Kirk Pearson, whose two opponents did not appear, made prepared statements and then fielded questions from the audience at the luncheon, held at the Rock Church.
Opening statements
In his opening statement, 39th District representative to Olympia Dan Kristiansen, (R-Monroe), reminded the audience that this year he had fought for funding for U.S. 2, which this month was the scene of the 50th fatal accident since 1999.
“It was the first time in 40 years we were able to hear bills on Highway 2,“ he said. ”I ran a bill that could have saved the life of the man who was just killed. It was $20 million for the most dangerous stretch of the highway.“
That stretch, which includes the intersection of Fern Bluff Road and U.S. 2, was the scene of the most recent fatality and seven others. Despite his efforts, King County competition for funds was too strong, said Kristiansen.
His challenger, Monroe Democrat Scott Olson, said that he learned in the private sector an important key to successful management, one he would bring to Olympia.
“Work smarter, not harder,” he said.
He emphasized a willingness to work in a bipartisan way. ”Partisanship is the biggest impediment to progress there is,” he said.
And he said that, although it is considered unwise by some, he was wiling to make a campaign promise. ”Every day, day in and day out, you can count on me to roll up my sleeves to work for you. I will never put party above your safety.”
In the state senate race for the 39th District, Monroe Democrat Fred Walser talked about his law enforcement history and passion for public safety and education. ”I worked in law enforcement for 40 years and I want to take that experience to Olympia,” said the former chief of the Sultan police.
He called for action to address domestic violence and the release of sex offenders to homeless status.
He also called for stronger DUI laws as well, and reminded attendees that he was a founder of the Highway 2 Safety Coalition and has been chairman of the grass roots group for 10 years.
He also pointed out that the drop out rate in Snohomish County is higher than that of the state, and pointed that his wife, Monroe mayor Donnetta Walser, was a school teacher for 28 years.
“What's wrong with this picture?” he said.
His opponent, two-term senator Val Stevens (R-Arlington), talked about things important to business owners.
“There are three issues that have really caught the attention of voters in Washington, especially business owners; taxes, transportation and health care,” she said.
She said that government needs to reduce regulations where possible. And without transportation improvements, business owners can’t count on their employees to get to and from work in a timely manner, she went on.
And employees will leave a business, even one they like, in order to find health care benefits, she said.
She also referenced the state’s budget deficit.
“I will do everything in my power to keep them from raising taxes to fill that gap," she said.
Kirk Pearson, representative for the 39th District, is seeking his fifth term. He noted that he has important roles in Olympia, including serving as the Republican leader of the criminal justice committee.
“The safety of your loved ones, I take very much to heart,” he said.
He will continue to work toward strengthening laws to protect people from sex offenders, he said. and he, too, called for tougher laws on driving under the influence.
Bipartisanship
Following the opening statements each pair of candidates responded to questions drawn randomly by members of the audience.
The first question, asking how the candidates how they would incorporate bipartisanship into their administrations, was fielded by Kristiansen and Olson.
“Bipartisanship is the only way to by successful,” said Kristiansen. “All the bills I passed had sponsors from both sides.”
Olson said that he can put the intersts of his contituents ahead of those of his party.
“I am pretty much a product of 20 years or more of East Snohomish County,” he said. “I think I can represent the interestes of the people of East Snohomish County regardless of what party I belong to.”
Education
Walser and Stevens were asked what their priorities for education are and how they plan to fund them.
Walser, who responded first, said he would like to explore following the recommendations of a task force that recently completed a study of the state’s education system.
As to funding, he said he didn’t know. ”I don't know, because I’m not in Olympia,” he said. “But if we don’t fund education, we’ll lose a lot. If it means culling other programs I’m for that. Education is our main goal.”
Stevens took the opportunity to draw a bead on the controversial WASL, the test all students must pass in order to graduate.
“Washington needs to get out of the WASL business,” she said. “The governor hates it, the teachers hate it, the students hate it. We end up teaching to a test rather than going to basics.”
Accessiblity
Pearson answered a question about how accessible he would be by reassuring the audience that he makes every effort to be reachable by contituents.
“I do this full time,” he said. He keeps two offices, he said, in order to be available. ”You have to be able to put in the time,” he said. “I’ll just continue to do that.”
Budget deficit
Olson responded first to the question of how the state budget should be balanced now that it is projected to end the year more that $1 billion in the red. ”We have a tax system that allows us to go from surplus to deep deficits in between budget cycles,” he said.
He said the B&O tax is part of the problem, and also hurts businesses. ”We need to focus on flattening the revenue stream,” he said, and went on that the budget defict represents about a 10% shortfall.
“It’s not good, but it’s doable. There not the mood for tax increases, so we cut what we can but keep the core, like education,” he said.
Kristiansen noted that about 60% of the state general fund goes to education, 30% for health and human services, and 10% for everything else, such as corrections and the executive and legislative branches of government.
“We need to look at it without emotion,” he said. “My fear is that there were almost $2 billion worth of empty promises made. Who do you want to make those decisions?”
Highway 2
Stevens and Walser then responded to a question about how to improve safety on U.S. 2.
“It needs to be four lanes,” said Stevens.
And she said that the state needs to buy the remaining land needed to construct a Highway 2 bypass around Monroe and complete the decades-old plans.
Walser said that U.S. 2 was the reason he chose to run for the office of senator.
“I was frustrated that we never saw our delegates come to U.S. 2 meetings,” he said.
Sustainable energy
Pearson was cautious in support of sustainable energy when asked about his position on that and environmental issues.
“Already our PUDs are investing in wind turbine energy and other things, which is good,” he said. “My concern is, this year the governor initiated a climate change initiative and I don’t know what it will cost or how it will impact business. The jury is out on this issue.”
Proposition One
When asked if he had supported the transporation package called RTID that would have created a special taxing district in the Puget Sound and would have funded part of a bypass carrying through-traffic around Monroe, Kristiansen said he had not.
“Did you know that 90% of the funding would have gone to Sound Transit?” he said. And the $49 million budgeted to create the first part of the bypass seemed excessive, he went on.
“I asked the DOT why those numbers were so high,” he said. “I was told ‘I can’t answer that.’ There was no way I could support a plan when a residential street with a roundabout cost $49 million and Monroe did it for $10 million.”
Olson said that there had been some things about Proposition One that he liked.
“I supported it in philosophy,” he said. “The thing I didn’t like was there was to much of a disparity on the cost.”
State Income Tax
“No,” said Walser flatly, when asked if he supported a state income tax.
Stevens also rejected the idea. ”It’s the most regressive tax,” she said. “It stifles productivity.”
The economy
When asked what the role of the government should be in addressing the economy, Olson said that government should support small business more.
“I think in the future, we have to make an economy based on small business,” he said. “We have to be careful how we treat small business, including taxes, possibly grants, and including transportation, how we can get products to market.”
Kristiansen said that having experienced business people in government roles is important. He noted that on the economic development committee, there hasn’t been enough experience.
“I had a litmus test,” he said. “The question I asked people was, ‘do you know what a profit and loss statement (a statement used by businesses to assess their financial status) is?’ Less that half had ever heard of it. I have some concerns about who is in these positions.”
Most serious issues
Val Stevens gave as the most serious issues in the 39th District as taxes and regulations. ”Taxes and regulations affect your home and the housing of your employees,” she said. She also noted that health care is critically important, as well as transportation.
Walser also fingered regulations. ”We must trust business owners to do the right thing,” he said. “They can regulate themselves.” And if transportation isn’t addressed soon, nothing else the government does is going to matter, he said.
Health Care
There has been too much study and not enough action on the health care situation in Washington, said Pearson.
“Since 2005, we’ve had 16 studies on health care and haven’t done anything,” he said. “Let’s enact something that will be to the benefit of everyone.”
Wrap up
During closing statements, Pearson promised to work with both parties to get legislation done.” I’m a Republican but I represent everybody,” he said. “I’ll always work for you.”
Stevens said that children’s safety will continue to be her primary focus. ”We must break DSHS up and give children’s administration a cabinet position,” she said. ”We’re going to see that happen.”
Walser promised to stay involved in the district. ”I will be visible, I will be accessible,” he said. “It’s your concerns I’ll take to Olympia, not my own.”
Olson said that he would work hard to build relationships in government to get things done, regardless of party. ”It doesn’t matter if it’s the Salmon Yoga Party,” he said to an audience chuckle. “If they’ve got a good idea, let’s talk about it.”
And Kristiansen said he would work to keep taxes low. ”I made a promise to you when I came on board that I was not going to increase burdens on you with taxes and I never have,” he said. He, too, promised to work across the aisle with Democrats to achieve solutions to the problems of the 39th District.
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