Jay Rodne, Glenn Anderson for state House of Representatives

THE 5th Legislative District may be ground zero in the battle to refocus government spending and priorities.

It is a sprawling district with a diverse mix of suburban enclaves, rural communities and many small, independently owned businesses struggling in trying times. Voters in Issaquah, North Bend, Snoqualmie and parts of Sammamish, Renton and unincorporated King County are best served by leadership focused on restrained use of the public's money for targeted priorities.

For state House Positions 1 and 2, The Seattle Times editorial board chooses experience and sharp eyes on future budgets by endorsing the re-elections of Reps. Jay Rodne, R-Snoqualmie, and Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City.

Credit the two for persistent calls for fiscal restraint as a large Democratic majority spent its way through a budget surplus into a deficit.

Constructive solutions from Rodne included a focus on spending, from small items such as the state's printing operations and catering services to larger budgetary items.

Rodne has been responsive to the needs of his district. The lawmaker pushed for a statute prohibiting government from taking property for purposes of private economic development, resulting in a balance between the property rights afforded by our state constitution and the flexibility of government to take property for public uses.

Rodne and Anderson support reinstating the voter-approved two-thirds majority requirement before state lawmakers can raise taxes. Both also believe public employees should share more of the cost of their benefits, just as the private sector does.

Anderson's proven track record includes strong advocacy for small businesses and jobs creation. He supports zero-base budgeting. Anderson has proved to be adept and creative at finding money, for example paying for the Issaquah School District's robotics program using existing, rather than new, general funds.

Anderson has an independent streak Olympia could use more of. He was the sole GOP House member to sign a bill calling for public disclosure of signatures on initiatives.