State Representatives

Norma Smith, incumbent   R                                 office@votenormasmith.com

I would have included her website, but it is from 2014 so not particularly relevant today.

Rated 100% by American Conservative Union; 90% by the Association of WA Business; 40% by Washington Conservation Voters; 17% by AFL-CIO, 100% by NRA; 96% by Associated General Contractors of WA; 100% by the WA Farm Bureau, 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice WA

positions: voted in favor of charter schools; against automatic voter registration; against requiring police to wear body cameras; did not vote on a bill to prohibit “conversion therapy” (ANTI-GAY BRAIN WASHING) on minors; voted against requiring maternal health plans to cover abortion; voted against increasing the minimum wage; voted against requiring employers to provide paid sick leave;

She appeared at a Clinton candidates’ forum. Michael Scott did not, so she had the floor to herself and gave a major lecture on her research into rare earths. This is actually something useful that needs doing. All of our electronics use these rare elements, most of which are to be found in countries undergoing wars, revolutions, and other turmoil. I’m not quite clear on Norma’s approach to the problem. I think she is advocating recycling the rare elements out of all those electronics piling up in land fills. Good idea, actually.

Norma is a pleasant and likable person. She has some good ideas. And then she votes the party line every time. My conversations with her have had an Alice in Wonderland quality. I thought I was talking about one thing, but she was talking about something altogether different. She has her pet projects, and no matter what you want to talk about, she’ll steer the conversation to those projects.

Michael Scott                        Libertarian                michaelscottelect@gmail.com

http://www.michaelscottforoffice.com/

He ran against Norma in 2014 as well.

Elected Experience: none

Other Professional Experience: Dir/Producer "On the Record" TV show; Dir/Producer "The Rising Sun"; CIO Hollywood Choppers/Chopper House; SCUBA Instructor/Special Effects; Disability Advocate-CSUN.

Education: MS computer science studies, MBA studies; BA in Film, BA of TV production; AA College of Redwoods; ROP radio broadcast, TV production, audio engineering.

Community Service: Has been a member of many fine charitable organizations; American Legion, Eagles, Moose Lodge, Habitat for Humanity, Disability Advocate-CSUN, and several others! I believe in giving where we can throughout the year, be it, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Relay for Life, or giving food to our local food bank and providing meals to those in need.

Issues: making positive changes to our political system by ending the monopoly of special interest groups over government. Socially liberal and fiscally responsible.

Will abide by the McCleary decision; will protect property owners from corporations attempting to acquire their water rights.

Other priorities are so nebulous I can’t summarize them.

Found this statement on Go Fund Me. He had reached $500.00 of his $5000.00 goal:

“Two years ago today (May 16th, 2014) myself and 11 other Libertarian candidates ran for office in Washington state. We were quite successful that year and our party has grown substantially. Folks want another choice and we are here because we care and want to help!

Over the last few years I have been active at our state capitol. Learning the ropes, attending meetings, hearings, involved in our community, getting a better understanding of the issues we face! It's time we all standup and be heard! I ask everyone that I meet to please also run for office, to please help us with positive change. I understand this is not for everyone, and it is tough. If you cannot run please help those of us that are willing to do so! ;-) Many have asked that I do run again... well, It's that time. I can't do this alone. I do not take corporate or special interest funds. I only accept funds from supporter's like you. Please help with whatever you can, every bit is greatly appreciated!

Now let's work together towards "Positive Change"!”

Statement: My motivation to get involved is my love for our country, state and district. I had always thought those elected to serve "We the People" did just that, serve the People. However, after hearing our community concerns I came to the realization that we are not being heard. Libertarian party believes strongly in preserving our rights and listening to the People. A big part of this is “Not” to accept corporate funding in order to gain special interests. With your support, I will serve our district, make unbiased decisions and use logic for the betterment of our community.

I’m torn. On the one hand Norma Smith talks a good line. On the other hand, she contributes vote after vote to the retrograde Republicans against everything important to me. And then there’s Michael Scott, who seems well intentioned and has articulated a few positive goals. He just doesn’t seem to have a clue how to get from intention to action. It hasn’t helped any that he has been a no-show at one candidate event after another.

I may just sit this one out.

State Representative, District 10, position 2       

Dave Hayes, incumbent       R         electdavehayes@gmail.com

http://www.electdavehayes.com

He’s a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy.

Washington Conservation Voters score: 18%

issues:

Economy – reducing excessive regulatory burdens on business will create good jobs. Education – fund it without raising taxes; lower public college tuition rates while opposing unfunded mandates.

Public safety – strengthened the firearm offender registration law; passed legislation to add a 3^rd Skagit County District Court judge; Stands up for first responders. Transportation – worked to improve transportation planning and expedite permits for bridge replacement. Wants to expand and speed completion of cost-effective transportation projects. Wants to reform DOT.

He is silent on such issues as climate change, fossil fuels, or the impact of our environment on such industries as tourism.

I have not been fond of Dave Hayes since he took office because his focus is far from mine. As far as I can tell he has no opinion on land use, climate change, or the environment in general. His focus is on “public safety” (= law enforcement).

Doris Brevoort                      D         votedorisrep@gmail.com

http://dorisbrevoort.com/

education: Saybrook University         PhD in integrative health, UW Masters in education

It’s a wonderful breath of fresh air to see the candidacy of Doris Brevoort, who echoes my sentiments rather closely. You can read the details below.

issues: believes in a democracy where all voices are heard; will defend Washington’s environment. Clean air and water are critical to health, ag production, and eco-tourism; protecting forests, farmland, Puget Sound, and the Skagit watershed; create an equitable income stream for the state to fully fund education, mental health, human services, updated infrastructure, public transportation, safe communities, and disaster preparedness; supports strong unions.

Q - How would your district and the citizens of Washington state, in general, benefit from having you in office?

I will collaborate with other legislators proactively, with patience and resolve. I will be responsive to my constituents, holding Town Hall Meetings on a regular basis, rotating venues so people from every geographic region of LD-10 have opportunities to be heard. I will vote "YES" on numerous issues including:

a. Creation of an equitable, sustainable, revenue stream for WA State that can: fully fund education; provide mental health services and affordable housing for people with mental illness; update State infrastructure (bridges, roads, parks); and expand public transportation.

b. Preserve the water quality of Puget Sound and the watersheds that flow into it.

c. Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, while generating jobs in new modes of energy production and conservation.

Q - The next session of the legislature has the difficult job of fully funding basic education for our students. How would you plan to do this, regardless of the ongoing committee reports?

I will work with House colleagues to review existing proposals and present them transparently for public consideration. Some of the tools for increasing revenue are: close tax loopholes for corporations which have large preferential taxes; assess incremental taxes on capital gains and financial transactions; consider a state income tax, with a threshold well above the combined incomes of working families. Besides increasing the funding stream, I will work to make education more cost effective by strengthening early childhood education programs and working with OSPI to integrate recent research in brain function and neuroscience into our schools, including special education.

Q - Do you think the legislature could/should assist in finding solutions to the homeless problem? If so, what form might it take? If not, why not?

State agencies can collaborate with public/private partnerships, faith-based and nonprofit groups to provide temporary and transitional housing. The State then can provide access to health care, addiction recovery, training, and sustainable jobs. The State can help prevent people from becoming homeless by funding mixed-income (green) development, and renovation of existing housing into affordable homes for individuals/families on fixed incomes, including seniors. Programs that involve people, including young adults, in service related to attaining their housing also create success.  

Q - Several efforts to pass a bill authorizing automatic voter registration for 16-year-olds who receive a driver’s license have failed to pass the legislature. Would you favor such a bill?:

I favor automatic voter registration for youth before they turn 18 so that youth have a firmer stake in the democratic process and, if registered, are more likely to vote.

Q - According to Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations: “Climate change is the most emblematic challenge in this age of globalization. For the sake of our grandchildren, we cannot refuse that challenge.” (The Case For True Leadership on Climate Change – Kofi Annan Foundation, 30 Nov 2015) What is your opinion of this quotation?

I agree! If we "refuse" this challenge, the planet will become unlivable for future generations! The Earth’s temperature is rising. Human activities (mining, pollution, transportation, energy consumption) are predominantly responsible. The Legislature must respond to lower the overall carbon footprint of Washington State. We need to decrease emissions from fuel-generating facilities and vehicles SOONER than planned. We must aggressively educate the public, including children, regarding the critical need for both energy and resource conservation, keeping trees/ flora robust for our environment. The state can develop broader incentives for homeowners and businesses to monitor and decrease energy consumption, and retain tax credits for home-based renewable energy installations. Naomi Klein's book 'This Changes Everything” offers many details to inform readers of how people around the world are responding to the challenge. Indeed, this is what catalyzed me to run for office.

Q - If you believe your area is affected by unusual weather patterns, what actions would you support to mitigate these effects?

In Anacortes, Skagit County, the group "Transition Fidalgo" advocates locally for conservation and renewable energy. The Legislature can fund community-based 'proactivation' like this in counties throughout the State, involving nonprofit and public/private partnerships in changing our consumption habits. We can reach out with incentives for people to take public transport, eat locally grown food, etc and expand public transportation, including rail

Endorsed by FUSE Progressive Voters.

10-5-16 Whidbey Record Election Forum

question: The legislature must respond to the McCleary decision. Where will the money come from?

Dave Hayes: The McCleary decision was the 3^rd in a series by the Supreme Court. Where did all that money go? To various legislators’ pet projects. We have to fund education first. My priorities are: education, public safety, caring for those who can’t care for themselves. That $100k/day fine is not a real fine because the legislature has not budgeted for it. We need sustainable, equitable, ample funding.

Doris Brevoort: I will research this issue and post a response on my website. It is a matter of school funding vs tax loopholes. There is a major potential revenue loss from taxes never collected. We need to know what we’re losing out on and pick up those lost revenues to be able to apply to the budget. Educators are underpaid. We need to create actual mechanisms to pay for McCleary.

question: how will you deal with sea level rise and the changes to land use law necessary to address it?

Dave Hayes: I’m not an environmentalist. Environmental legislation is not based on science. These are unrealistic proposals with zero return on investment. Yes, I believe in basing legislation on science. There has to be a balance between the environment and the economy. Raising taxes on energy will cost businesses. Whatever we do to help the environment must show measurable economic benefit.

Doris Brevoort: There’s a hurricane slamming the east coast right now. In our region there are earthquakes and volcanoes. We want local people prepared for any potential disasters. I believe in readiness. Earning a PhD requires a lot of research. I can get the science and find the facts, and communicate that information to work on both short and long range planning. Right now the insurance industry is taking these matters very seriously and asking what should and should not be insured.

question: should we institute an income tax to fund education?

Doris Brevoort: The income stream must come from various sources. The state does not have a good history of trying to pass an income tax, so it would not be good to count on this source. I will look into all possible sources of funding. Taxes have to be both equitable and sustainable. I would consider a capital gains tax, a tax on financial transactions, and closing tax loopholes. We don’t have to limit ourselves to an income tax, although that may eventually be necessary.

Dave Hayes: A prosperous state has low taxes. We already have funds for education; we just have to fund education first. And besides, the state constitution bars an income tax.

My concern from day 1 of Dave Hayes’ tenure is that he is a cop and sees the world as a cop. If he can’t figure a “public safety” angle, he doesn’t know what to do with it and votes ‘no’ reflexively. Doris Brevoort, by contrast, looks at new information, researches it, analyzes it, and draws tentative conclusions – always looking for more information to verify or amend those conclusions. She is new to a lot of these issues, but her head is in the right place and she will get up to speed very quickly.

I will be voting for Doris Brevoort.