Issue statements from 32nd District State Senate candidates

By Evan Smith

Incumbent Democratic 32nd Legislative District State Sen. Maralyn Chase and Republican challenger Robert Reedy will meet in the November election.

The 32nd District includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Lynnwood, Woodway, parts of Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, and unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County near Edmonds and Woodway.

Both candidates recently sent statements on the issues that they think are most important in the election. Here are their statements:

Maralyn Chase (Prefers Democratic Party)

Growing the economic base and reforming the tax system will provide sufficient revenue to meet our paramount duty to fund education in our state and rebuild the safety net.

Tax reform is the key to meeting our constitutional responsibilities. We have a revenue crisis, not a budget crisis. The economic base has changed over the last century from trapping and mining to intangible property -- but our tax system has not kept up. It is the most regressive tax system in the United States: Low-income working families pay 17 percent of their income in taxes while wealthy individuals pay 2-3 percent.

We can grow the economic base by supporting the middle-market manufacturing firms that are the stable economic backbone of our community.  While the cost of advanced manufacturing techniques is a key hurdle, a skills gap – or a lack of production workers with the necessary skills to utilize advanced manufacturing techniques -- is another obstacle. By focusing on training and collaboration with community colleges, more firms are able to drive forward with advanced manufacturing techniques. Our state can become the headquarters of the most highly trained workforce in advanced manufacturing skills in the world. Let’s get the job done.

Robert Reedy (Prefers Republican Party)

There are no guarantees a state income tax will mean other taxes will end. I find it hard to believe that you and I should pay an income tax on our pensions or retirement dividends. The people who support that tax want us to believe that money was not really earned; who are they trying to kid. The higher gas tax ($1.46 per gallon increase) will send grocery prices through the roof. What family can afford that; name one single middle class mom who can feed her family with that kind of taxation; talk about a war on women.

I believe the McCreary decision has given the state legislature and Senate a great opportunity for education reform, but will they act on it or kick the can down the road? I say let’s move swiftly and smartly.

I want an economy that retires all food banks for good.

The best welfare program for American families is a good paying job. Let’s do all we can to make this possible. If we have to change some government rules, let’s do so.

I am not for a state income tax, nor a pension tax, nor higher fuel taxes.

Thank you.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.