Name: Val Stevens
Age: 64
Hometown: Arlington
Experience: Two two-year terms as state representative, two four-year terms as state senator; used to own construction company and was an interior designer; worked five years as state Director for Concerned Women for America, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.
Top issues: Economy: supports fewer regulations on businesses. Taxes: supports lower taxes for businesses and citizens, for example reforming the business and occupation tax. Children: more funding out of the budget for classrooms and teachers rather than bureaucrats.
Fun fact: Enjoys travelling the state.
Name: Susanne Olson
Age: 58
Hometown: Monroe
Experience: 1965 Snohomish County dairy princess and 1966 state princess, traveled statewide speaking about agricultural issues; teaches contemporary issues and history at Sultan High School; 29-year high school teacher; served three years as president of the Sultan teachers association.
Top issues: Education: supports more funding for public schools, where classrooms are too large to ensure a quality education. Growth: wants to improve congestion on major roads such as U.S. 2 and Highways 9 and 522. Economy: new economic development such as biotechnology industry will diversify and enhance the state.
Fun fact: Loves gardening and tole painting.
reader questions
reader questions
QWhat mechanism do you have in mind to prevent taxpayers’ money from being wasted?
Stevens: I will continue to oversee the Children’s Department of DSHS, which recently avoided a costly lawsuit by settling Braam vs. State of Washington out of court. I will monitor the agreed-to settlement to improve the foster care system and avoid court-imposed costly penalties against taxpayers.
Olson: To not waste money, we must make sure all programs are ones the state should be involved in and not the private sector. A monitoring method could be included in legislative bills.
QWhat specific plans do you have to improve major highways in your district and where will the money come from?
Stevens: Highways 2 and 9 are overcrowded affecting commuters and freight mobility. I have worked to expand both highways to four lanes. I fought to keep Highway 92 bypass engineering in the 2004 budget to get trucks out of Granite Falls and will work for funding to complete the project.
Olson: I will fight for our share of transportation dollars to implement our regional plan already in place. I will fight against special projects around the state that divert dollars from those regional plans. Funding will have to come from existing money until the economy improves.
QHow do you think the state should use farmlands in your district, which is facing rapid population increase?
Stevens: Farmland owners have property rights. The Growth Management Act has hurt our economy and food producers. The Growth Hearings Board thwarts local control. I will continue to support legislation that prevents the expansion of the socialist agenda of GMA. In 2005 I will again sponsor legislation to eliminate the hearings board.
Olson: We have the controversy of using farmlands for recreational purposes. I support some of the acreage close to communities being used for recreation. This may help the farmer bring in money and also serve as a buffer or barrier to development. GMA changes should be done at county levels.
QWhat’s your stance on the proposed NASCAR track?
Stevens: My 100 percent voting record with the Washington Conservative Union proves I have always voted to reduce the size and scope of government to allow the free market to succeed without government subsidies or interference, except under extraordinary circumstances. My position remains, “private” means “private” and “for profit” means that.
Olson: I need to know what kind of jobs would be provided. Minimum wage or livable wage? Will the good-paying jobs go to our people? What are they expecting from the state? I need to know the environmental impacts. I have strong reservations about using taxes to help private business.
QWhat plans do you have to make the state’s health care system more affordable and more accessible to people in your district?
Stevens: In 16 counties in Washington, doctors and mid-wives have stopped delivering babies because they can’t afford liability insurance. Doctors are being sued for procedures they didn’t do and insurance companies are settling out of court with trial lawyers. I will continue to support tort reform.
Olson: Support small businesses being able to join together to purchase health care. I support large employers who don’t provide health care paying the state for health care. It is OK to purchase drugs from Canada. Tort reform is necessary, but must hold insurance companies, lawyers and patients accountable and include patients’ rights.
QWhat plans do you have to enhance the quality of education for students in your district?
Stevens: Lack of funding is not the problem in our schools; getting more existing dollars into the classroom and to teachers is. Until we do so, we will continue to fail our children. I will continue to support strong local control of education decisions, stronger local funding and far more accountability.
Olson: We must develop our community colleges and make universities accessible. Community colleges provide alternative routes to universities and vocational programs. I will support removing the required 60 percent approval for local levies and bonds and also support the 1 cent sales tax dedicated to education.
QHow do you plan to increase the number of affordable homes in your district?
Stevens: Rising house costs due to government regulations and fees force people on fixed incomes to move. The GMA’s inflexible urban growth boundaries caused the situation. Large flexible urban growth areas equal affordable housing. I will sponsor legislation to allow local officials to adjust boundaries without interference from state bureaucrats.
Olson: Serving the mentally ill will reduce homelessness. We can partner with nonprofit private enterprises such as Housing Hope. Child care services, basic health care and employment counseling will help prevent homelessness.
QWhat specific plans do you have to attract businesses to your district?
Stevens: Wholesome, profitable, contributors to the economy are the best possible businesses for our community. Women-owned businesses are the state’s fastest-growing small businesses, and to help them succeed I will continue to support legislation that earned me the Guardian of Small Business award from the National Federation of Independent Business.
Olson: We need diversity in business. I would encourage companies that partner with universities, biotech and pharmaceuticals, are nonpolluting and provide livable wage jobs. We want jobs that support families. No more minimum-wage jobs. We need a skilled and well-educated work force to attract these types of businesses.
QWhat specific plans do you have to make the communities in your district safer?
Stevens: The first duty of government is to provide for the security of its citizens and their property in a manner that is consistent with personal liberty. I have introduced SB6114 to criminalize eco-terrorism activities. To protect children I have enhanced prison sentencing for child rapists.
Olson: We must adequately fund staffing and equip police, medics and firefighters. Police need to partner with neighborhoods.
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