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| Mary Margaret Haugen, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: State Senator, District 10 |
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| Mary Margaret Haugen |
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| Age: 59 |
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| Residence: Camano Island |
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| Occupation: |
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State senator |
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| Education: |
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High school and trade school |
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| Political history: |
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Former Stanwood School Board member, state representative |
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| Endorsements: |
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Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, Washington Conservation Voters, Washington State Women's Political Caucus |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.marymargaret.org |
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| Campaign theme: |
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No one works harder to protect our quality of life. |
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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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Initiatives are an individual choice and some are too complex to just put yes and no down without misleading. I will take no position on them at this time. |
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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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I want a primary that is as open as possible under the Supreme Court's decision. It must recognize the independence of Washington voters and ensure independent voters' ability to participate in our political process. I do not support requiring voters to register by political party. |
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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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Any decision on tax cuts must take into consideration the economy and our tax receipts. If our economy and receipts continue as they are now, I would support raising the exemption on business and occupation taxes or a tax credit in excess of the present standard of $100,000. |
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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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I support a constitutional amendment giving every homeowner a $200 credit on property taxes. This helps seniors and working families, but doesn't shift taxes to others. Since 1993, 82 percent of tax breaks have been for businesses. It is time to help others, too. |
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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 support passing tougher laws relating to identity theft and regulating telemarketers. With respect to financial institutions I think we should monitor the recently passed federal legislation and their regulations and determine whether they are protecting our Washington citizens. |
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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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As a member of the commission, I support its recommendations for not only new financing mechanisms, but also changes in governance, more accountability and greater flexibility with existing dollars. I also support its recommendation that regions have more flexibility on high-priority needs. I will work to pass all these options. |
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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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The death penalty was passed by a vote of the people. Changes should also be submitted for their approval. I would support a moratorium upon receiving convincing evidence that the death penalty is being imposed unjustly or unfairly. |
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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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No, I would not support such a constitutional amendment. We have duly elected public officials. We have a republic form of government. It works well. If the people do not like their actions, they can elect others. |
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