Dunshee: I support efficient government and performance audits to free up money, but we need roads fixed now. I helped bring funds to widen Highway 9, I-5 and Highway 527. More is needed. I will continue working to get folks to work and back home quicker and safer.

Hope: I will fight to bring money into the district and focus on expanding highways. The best way to pay for these projects is to focus on smaller sections, reduce bureaucracy and spend less on studies. It’s a shame these projects were not completed when we had a $1.2 billion surplus.

Lovick: As a member of the House Transportation Committee, it is my job to fight to fund projects in my district. The last transportation package funded expansion of the Bothell-Everett Highway, Highway 9 and I-5. I will continue to secure funding for more roadwork and highway safety improvements for our region.

West: Many studies and proposals have already been done. We need to review them to find which ones will give us the most benefit for the cost. We can increase the money by spending less on studies and more on action. Increasing taxes must be the last resort.

Q What do you favor more, emphasizing development of public transportation or building more roads and freeways?

Dunshee: It is critical that we give people transportation options. Roads are the biggest part of transportation, but options are needed to deal with growth. Options also mean fewer cars on the roads. Sound Transit must be reformed.

Hope: They are both important and will need to be completed. However, our district needs to expand Highway 9, U.S. 2 and Highway 92. Highway 9 needs to be four lanes with a turn lane in the middle from Highway 522 to Arlington.

Lovick: The goal of transportation should be moving people. I favor an approach that combines both. Infrastructure and road improvements need to be in place to handle the increase in cars. HOV lanes should be added to existing highways to encourage carpooling and relieve congestion.

West: Both. Public transportation is important. However, common sense needs to be included when considering the cost. If an idea runs into problems, re-evaluate it instead of throwing more money at it.

Q What, if anything, should be done to make sure that strikes and other labor issues don’t disrupt education for Washington’s students?

Dunshee: Binding arbitration is needed to prevent teacher strikes. It works for firefighters and police. It can work for teachers. Even if the Legislature provided more funds, which they should, labor disputes can turn ugly. Children suffer when negotiations fail. Kids need a backup to regular negotiations.

Hope: We are trying to create an environment that is conducive for teachers to work and students to learn. The current Legislature is completely out of step with education. I propose to be a proponent to education and work to solve some of the current problems.

Lovick: We want to avoid strikes and keep kids in school, but we also want to honor teachers. I believe that binding arbitration works as a last option. In situations where both sides cannot reach an agreement, an arbiter can find a solution and avoid a prolonged disruption for our students.

West: Our teachers need to be fairly paid and provided with the tools they need. There were major disagreements over the pay scale in Marysville. There are too many work-arounds in the way teachers’ salaries are computed. The pay scale needs to be changed to reflect reality.

QWhat can be done to ensure public education prepares students for productive lives?

Dunshee: Our rapidly changing job market and outsourcing requires kids to become flexible and critical thinkers in order to compete for tomorrow’s jobs. We must support our teachers so they can help shape a generation that can compete and do well.

Hope: We need smaller classroom sizes to provide an environment that is conducive for learning. We need a curriculum that applies to all students at all levels. We have to prepare for those who are going to technical fields and those who are going to college.

Lovick: All of our students must graduate from high school. I support graduation standards to ensure that students leave our schools with the basic knowledge to live productive lives. We need to properly compensate our dedicated teachers and continue to remind them and our children of the good work they are doing.

West: Our teachers do a wonderful job in teaching our children. They need the right tools. The WASL has helped us see where we need to improve. However, I am very concerned that in teaching, to take a test we may not be giving our children a well-rounded education.

Q Judging from results at the ballot box in recent years, it doesn’t appear as if people want to pay more for government, and that includes public safety. Name one way you would make the community safer given available resources?

Dunshee: People are fed up with uncontrolled growth costing them taxes. Our county should charge developers for criminal justice system growth, caused by growth. I support impact fees so developers pay their fair part of cops, courts and jails. Doing that would lower taxes and make us safer.

Hope: As a police officer, I know what works to reduce crime and what doesn’t. Our current Legislature released sex offenders early (HB 2400) and allowed drug and property crime felons out before their required time. With the high rate of recidivism among these criminals, our Legislature was wrong.

Lovick: We need to focus on the root of the problem and provide treatment opportunities for those at risk of committing crimes. Programs such as drug courts have been successful in providing treatment. Money spent in treatment during and after incarceration will reduce recidivism and make our community safer.

West: People are willing to pay for public safety. The problem is, everything else is funded and then voters are told if they don’t approve the latest bond or tax increase public safety will be cut. Voters are tired of this game. I would fund public safety first.

Q What can be done to strike the correct balance in controlling growth and respecting private property rights?

Dunshee: The Constitution protects property rights, and that overrides state law. States that have good environmental protection have stronger economies (www.southernstudies.org shows how the balance works). Our county is out of balance, and uncontrolled growth is destroying our quality of life and will hurt our economy.

Hope: Controlling growth should not be confused with the refusal to build roads. Everyone that wants to have an opportunity to purchase a home should be able to do so. At the same time, we must maintain a rural balance. People in the 44th District do like their rural identity.

Lovick: Growth needs to be managed properly to allow our area to grow and prosper while respecting our environment. At the same time, we need to honor the rights of property owners. We need to exercise discretion and allow for common sense when dealing with growth and property rights.

West: Growth Management is a part of our system now. However, we need to allow people the use of their property. If regulatory changes are made that result in a major loss of value to private properties, the owners should receive some type of compensation.

QThe growing population and demand for recreation space has led some to convert farmland into ball fields, without benefit of permits. What can be done to engineer a solution where everybody wins?

Dunshee: I will work to secure the existing ball fields. The county shouldn’t evict them. The county caused this problem by not building ball fields as our communities grew. I will also require them to do their job and provide ball fields for future needs. No eviction. Play ball!

Hope: The ball fields are in jeopardy of closure because of a technicality in state law and the threat of a lawsuit by an activist group called 1,000 Friends of Washington. HB 1955 would solve the problem and eliminate the threat of a lawsuit. I will support a bill that will keep the existing fields and give us the opportunity to provide more. Youth sports are vital and should not be used as a political negotiating tool.

Lovick: I believe Snohomish County must take steps now to plan for ball fields and parks. Urban growth must be accompanied by infrastructure such as roads and parks. I support making an exception to existing ball fields belonging to the North and South Snohomish Little Leagues to allow them to remain.

West: Existing ball fields should be allowed the opportunity to be grandfathered in. Planning must be done for new parks as the population grows. That said, permits need to be obtained when changes are made. Not all farmland is conducive to large crowds. Nearby crowds could force some farmers to leave.