State Rep. Ortiz-Self, challengers talk state support for schools

Appointed incumbent Democratic 21st District State Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, Republican challenger Jeff Scherrer and Green Party candidate Bob Lewis recently sent statements about what the legislature should do to comply with the court order to provide full state support for basic public education.

The three will be on the Aug. 5 primary ballot along with independent candidate Ed Wegner, who announced in mid-June that he is withdrawing from consideration and giving his support to Republican Scherrer.

The top two vote getters in the primary, regardless of party, will qualify for the Nov. 4 general-election ballot.

The 21st Legislative District includes most of Edmonds, unincorporated areas north of Edmonds and Lynnwood and northeast of Lynnwood, all of Mukilteo and part of south Everett.

Here are statements on complying with the State Supreme Court’s 2012 McCleary decision from the candidates in the order they will appear on the primary ballot:

21st DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE Pos. 2

Lillian Ortiz-Self (Prefers Democratic Party)

As a school counselor in the Everett School District, my top priority is to ensure my students, and students across Washington state, succeed. It’s simple really: when our children succeed, our state succeeds.

It is up to us to meet our paramount duty and fully fund education including reducing class size. Our first step should be to take a tough look at corporate tax loopholes that cost our state hundreds of millions each year. I am eager to return to Olympia and get back to work finding creative, and collaborative solutions for education funding and other challenges facing our state.

Bob Lewis (Prefers Green Party)

To fully fund education, lawmakers should immediately convene a special session and pass a 5%-10% capital gains excise tax, generating $500 million to $1 billion annually. Then, audit corporate welfare, discontinuing subsidies for corporations profiting over $500 million a year.

Afterward, pass a statewide $15 minimum wage, which would: increase local and state tax revenues from current minimum wage earners by up to 60 percent, reduce welfare, and lower violent crime.

Democrats and Republicans weren’t elected to violate our Constitution. They’ve had since 2012 to fix the problem they created. Instead, they voted for corporate greed over our children’s future.

Jeff Scherrer (Prefers Republican Party)

The McCleary decision will very likely dominate the upcoming legislative session.

Understanding that the court has set a deadline of 2018 to fund K-12, and that for forty years we have been using the same tactics regarding our state’s schools, this will prove a real test of how well lawmakers can work together. Real, serious negotiations on how the money is spent needs to take place and take place fast.

It will take real tenacity in Olympia, as I have demonstrated in the past, to reverse the trends we have previously seen and put our schools on the right track.

Ed Wegner (Prefers Independent Party)

Wegner announced his withdrawal and support for Scherrer June 18, well after the May 19 deadline for withdrawing from the ballot.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.