| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 8:27 pm |
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Editorials 
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HERALD ENDORSEMENTS Re-elect Liias, Roberts in south county district If you think the Legislature could use a more youthful perspective, look no further than the 21st District in south Snohomish County, where 27-year-old Marko Liias and 19-year-old Andrew Funk are vying for Position 2.We endorse Liias, a Democrat who was appointed last year to fill the seat after Brian Sullivan left to join the Snohomish County Council. Liias, like Funk, was an impressive young candidate the first time he ran for office, winning our endorsement in a bid for a spot on the Mukilteo School Board in 2003. He still is, and with one session already under his belt -- after two years on the Mukilteo City Council -- Liias has political experience to complement his clear thinking and good ideas. He's on the House Education Committee, where he'll champion high standards and accountability, but also prudent changes to the WASL -- like administering it in the fall rather than the spring, so effective intervention can take place during the same school year. He's also a strong proponent of bringing a technology-oriented four-year public university campus to Everett. We think Liias has the intelligence, commitment and self-confidence to become an outstanding lawmaker. Funk, a Republican who is attending Central Washington University through Edmonds Community College, is impressive too, but some of his ideas haven't been thought out well enough. To boost gas-tax revenues that have fallen since fuel prices rose, he proposes lowering the gas tax to encourage more driving. That would just make carbon emissions and congestion worse. He also favors charter schools (so have we), but since voters have rejected the idea three times, it's not a very viable idea. Still, we're glad he decided to get his political feet wet, and hope he'll look for ways to stay involved if he doesn't win this time. In the race for Position 1, we favor two-term incumbent Mary Helen Roberts, who offers much more experience and political know-how than her challenger, Republican newcomer Brian Travis. Roberts is a passionate advocate for children's issues and for higher education (she previously served as a trustee for Edmonds Community College). She's also a former House Appropriations Committee analyst, so she understands the nuances of budget issues, which will come in handy with the state likely facing a multi-billion-dollar shortfall. Travis, currently a precinct committee officer, is a congenial fellow whose priorities include creating a $50,000 homestead exemption to lower property taxes, saving gasoline by reintroducing the 55 mph speed limit and getting the state out of efforts to reduce human-aided climate change, which he believes doesn't exist. The first two ideas may have merit, but on the third, we think he's divorced from reality. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- State Senate votes to toss I-960's tax-raising hurdle (8)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (6)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- A new bowling alley for Monroe? (3)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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