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| Mike Cooper, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: State Representative, |
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| Mike Cooper |
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District 21, Position 1 |
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| Age: 48 |
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| Residence: Edmonds |
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| Occupation: |
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Lieutenant, Shoreline Fire Department |
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| Education: |
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Attended Edmonds Community College and Linfield College |
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| Political history: |
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State representative, 1998-present |
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| Endorsements: |
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Edmonds Education Association, Snohomish County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Sierra Club |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.mikecooper.org |
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| Campaign theme: No response. |
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| 1. |
What is your position on the initiatives proposed on this year's November ballot? |
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I-713 - Animal trapping |
yes |
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I-722 - Property taxes |
no |
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I-728 - School district financing |
yes |
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I-729 - Charter schools |
no |
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I-732 - Teacher raises |
yes |
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I-745 - Transportation funding |
no |
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| 2. |
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared blanket primary elections like Washington's violate political parties' constitutional rights, what form of new primary election system would you propose adopting? |
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We must recognize that Washington is an independent state founded on populist principles. Therefore, any primary-election system the state Legislature considers must be inclusive of all political parties and independent voters. The solution must also be constitutional. We must not leave any voters out of our election process. |
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| 3. |
Would you continue the trend of recent years and support tax cuts for businesses? Which ones specifically? If not, why? |
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During my first two terms, I have supported over $200 million in tax cuts for businesses. We provided $500 million in unemployment-insurance premium relief. I favor carefully targeted and balanced tax relief such as breaks for family-friendly employers, research and development, and expansion of commute-reduction programs. |
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| 4. |
Would you support a Constitutional amendment that would allow tax breaks for homeowners but not for business or commercial property? Why or why not? |
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Property taxes must be fair and balanced. I support a homestead exemption for single-family residences, but it must accompany relief for commercial property. The state can provide relief by increasing the amount of money we match for school construction so local districts can reduce the size of bonds. |
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| 5. |
What privacy legislation would you support? Would you exempt financial institutions? Why or why not? |
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I fought hard in Olympia to protect financial and medical privacy. I believe banks should be prohibited from selling credit-card numbers and checking-account records to telemarketers. I believe consumers have a right to know whether sensitive personal information is being used by third parties. |
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| 6. |
A commission studying transportation funding says a new financing mechanism is needed to keep Washington transportation projects on track. How would you propose financing future transportation projects? |
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We must establish performance standards for the entire transportation system and its agencies that will ensure efficiency and bang for the buck. For example, multi-modal transportation systems are efficient and effective; every effort must be made to find a solution that is balanced, dedicated, permanent and fair. |
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| 7. |
With some states reconsidering the death penalty, what is your position and what changes, if any, do you think are needed in Washington's law? Under what circumstances would you support a moratorium? |
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If it were determined that the death penalty is not effectively deterring violent crime, or being applied unfairly, I would support a moratorium. It would require a special task force appointed by the governor, that includes law-enforcement officials, mental-health professionals and clergy. |
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| 8. |
A judge struck down Initiative 695's provision that would have required a public vote for all tax and fee increases. Would you support a Constitutional amendment that would require the public vote? Why or why not? |
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In a representative democracy, the people elect local, state and federal officials whose job it is to make decisions on behalf of their constituents. Several important taxes, including Medic 1, school bonds and levies, and transit taxes are already voted on and approved by the people. |
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