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| Steve Hammond, Republican |
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| Candidate: State Representative, |
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| Steve Hammond |
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District 31, Position 2 |
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| Age: 47 |
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| Residence: Enumclaw |
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| Occupation: |
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Minister |
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| Education: |
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Doctor of Ministry, Southern Baptist School, Jacksonville, Fla. |
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| Political history: |
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First-time candidate |
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| Endorsements: |
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King County Police Officers Guild, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Washington Taxpayers Association |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.SteveHammond.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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Leadership with integrity. |
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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 |
no response |
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I-722 - Property taxes |
no response |
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I-728 - School district financing |
no response |
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I-729 - Charter schools |
no response |
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I-732 - Teacher raises |
no response |
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I-745 - Transportation funding |
no response |
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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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The difficulty associated with a closed primary system seems to be how to equitably include independents and small parties. I have not yet heard a system proposed that adequately addresses this. A number of solutions would satisfy the two major parties. A better answer must be found. |
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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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Although tax cuts are a major part of my platform, I do not favor separating the various groups. United we stand, divided we fall. The fairest form of tax cut is the one that helps everyone. Therefore, I favor tax cuts that do not single out one type of voter or business. |
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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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The Washington state Constitution provides a "uniformity" clause in it. This is designed to keep a one-tiered tax structure in place that protects everyone. As with question number 3, I believe that uniformity is a good idea and keeps taxes from rising on groups too small to resist. |
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| 5. |
What privacy legislation would you support? Would you exempt financial institutions? Why or why not? |
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No one wants to feel like their privacy is available to the highest bidder. Most of us do like to benefit from the speed of available information. These two concepts can be made to work if a few items are addressed. |
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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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Transportation is at a critical stage. I sense that most of the voters of my district would rather shift monies away from lower budget priorities before they would favor a new or increased tax. |
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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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Evidence says that the death penalty works as a deterrent when it is properly carried out without years of delays. I do not support a moratorium. |
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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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I think that I-695 was a tax protest vote because people do not believe the Legislature is responding to their voices. The general public perception (right or wrong) is that elected officials are not controlling their spending the way working families have to do. The best solution is to elect officials who respond to the people. |
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