By Jim Haley
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Four people seeking a pair of jobs in the state House of Representatives said Tuesday that fixing the region’s traffic mess is the top — or nearly the top — priority of their campaigns.
And three of them oppose Initiative 747, the state measure that would limit property tax increases to 1 percent a year without a public vote.
The four candidates, enmeshed in special elections for seats in the 21st and 38th legislative districts, appeared before a regional organization of business leaders working for better transportation.
In the 21st District, appointed incumbent Rep. Joe Marine, R-Mukilteo, faces a challenge from former Mukilteo Mayor Brian Sullivan, a Democrat. The district includes Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Woodway and part of Mountlake Terrace.
Both put transportation at the top of their lists, and both oppose I-747.
In the 38th District, appointed incumbent Jean Berkey, D-Everett, is opposed by former airline pilot Erv Hoglund, a Republican from Everett. The 38th includes Everett and Marysville.
Berkey puts a transportation solution at the top of her priorities. Hoglund said transportation comes in second after fixing the state budget in the wake of the slowing economy.
Berkey is against I-747, and Hoglund is for it.
The candidates answered questions put to them by the business-based Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation. The races have become two of the highest-profile legislative contests seen in the county for years. These are the only legislative spots in the state up for grabs this fall, so both Democrats and Republicans have focused attention and money on the races. Both parties hope to seize the positions in order to break the legislative logjam in the House. The 49-49 tie was blamed for the inability to pass a tax package that would have helped fund a transportation budget to ease traffic woes.
The transportation improvement committee, which works with city and county organizations to set county highway improvement priorities, this year asked the governor for a 10-cent-a-gallon gas hike to start meeting critical road problems.
Marine said he was willing to break with the Republican caucus last session to vote for a funding package to boost transportation.
While Marine and Sullivan agree money is needed to fix our roads, there are some differences between the two.
In the 38th District, Berkey said she very disappointed the Legislature failed to act last spring and bring the "congestion relief we need."
You can call Herald Writer Jim Haley at 425-339-3447 or send e-mail to
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