Taxes dominate issues for 32nd state Senate seat

Maralyn Chase, a long-time legislator, faces a challenge both within her Democrat party and from Republican Robert Reedy in the Aug. 5 primary race for the 32nd state Senate seat.

The three candidates outlined how they would approach two big issues facing the state: paying for transportation and fully funding public education, a step ordered by the state Supreme Court.

The top two finishers in the primary election will go on to the November general election ballot.

Chase said the last year’s collapse of the Skagit River bridge shows that the state’s infrastructure “is in desperate need for repairs or replacements.”

Chase said she thinks that the only way to fund major transportation improvements is with an increase in the gas tax. “I do believe that there are certain things that government must do,” she said. “The longer we delay the more expensive things get. It’s critical we fix the system.”

Chris Eggen, Chase’s Democratic opponent, said that he’s had a long-standing interest in transportation issues, including participation on several King County transportation committees. Eggen said he thought it would take an additional gas tax of about 10 cents a gallon to pay for transportation improvements. Eggen said he would support increasing the tax but thinks such a move should be put on the ballot for voters to decide.

Reedy said a combination of poor planning during times of growth, and a government philosophy of kicking problems down the road for others to figure out, have led to current transportation problems. “The freeway is overcrowded but how much more freeway can you build?” he asked.

Reedy said he thinks there’s money in the state’s transportation fund to make improvements. “You just have to spend it wisely,” he said. Reedy said he would not support an increase in the gas tax to pay for transportation improvements.

State lawmakers are under increasing pressure to take action on funding public education. In 2012, the state Supreme Court ruled that the state had failed to meet its constitutional duty to pay the full cost of a basic education for the roughly 1 million students in public elementary and secondary schools. The court gave lawmakers until the 2017-18 school year to comply and told legislators to come up with a timeline for funding the improvements, but lawmakers have been unable to do so.

Chase said the larger issue is the state needs to approve tax reform, such as a capital gains tax on items such as stocks, bonds and income on property.

She said she favors a state income tax, because it is a more equitable way of taxing people.

Reedy said he would like to see legislators hold a congressional-style investigation into the way the state spends money on education. “We seem to think the only way to solve the problem is by spending more money,” he said. “I get suspicious of that.”

Some sort of tax will likely be needed, Reedy said, but “the public wants to know what we’re spending money on first before we spend more money.”

Eggen said he didn’t think that a capital gains tax is the answer for solving the education funding issue. And increase in the state’s sales tax has been discussed as one option, he said. A solution must be found because the state Supreme Court isn’t going to back down on the need to provide for a basic education, he said.

“The Legislature needs to sit down and figure it out, whether it’s permanent cuts, new revenue or some combination, he said. “We have to resolve this.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com

The candidates:

Maralyn Chase

Age: 72

Experience: Eight years in the state House, four years in the state Senate

Website: www.maralynchase.com

Party: Democrat

Name: Chris Eggen

Age: 68

Experience: Retired University of Washington engineer, deputy Shoreline mayor for three years.

Website: www.ChrisEggenforSenate.com

Party: Democrat

Name: Robert Reedy

Age: 60

Experience: Licensed insurance agent; self employed

Website: None

Party: Republican

About the job: The job is to represent the district, which includes Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood, in the state Senate. The job pays $42,106 a year.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Southbound lanes on Highway 99 reopen after crash

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, blocked traffic for over an hour. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

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.