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| Bob Ross, Republican |
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| Candidate: State Representative, |
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| Bob Ross |
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District 33, Position 2 |
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| Age: 53 |
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| Residence: Normandy Park |
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| Occupation: |
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Customer service at the Best Western Airport Hotel |
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| Education: |
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B.A. in liberal arts, history, Ithaca College; M.A. in public administration, San Diego State University |
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| Political history: |
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Candidate for state representative, 1998 |
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| Endorsements: |
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National Rifle Association, Gun Owners Action League of Washington, Human Life of Washington |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.bobross.net |
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| Campaign theme: |
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Restoring trust and choices and options for hard-working families. |
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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 |
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I-722 - Property taxes |
yes |
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I-728 - School district financing |
no |
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I-729 - Charter schools |
no |
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I-732 - Teacher raises |
no |
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I-745 - Transportation funding |
yes |
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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 choice to select your political affiliations already exists. I support closed primaries in accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. I favor a closed primary vote (at the polls and absentee) with party registration. |
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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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Yes. Reform and reduce business-and-occupation taxes and head taxes. Eliminate personal-property taxes. Reduce taxes on property for businesses and our hard-working families. |
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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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No. I do not support a constitutional amendment for this form of tax break. I do support a cap on property-tax increases and favor Initiative 722. I do support qualified property-tax reduction for retired seniors (65 and older) who have lived in a residence for 10 or more years. |
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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 believe in individual responsibility. I believe in individual rights and the individual's right of privacy. I will carefully weigh any legislation and exemptions concerning this issue. |
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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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All transportation revenues and directed taxes should be collected for and used only for transportation issues, projects and activities. Implement Initiative 745 and similar guidelines. Utilize performance audits to streamline the Department of Transportation and Sound Transit. |
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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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I support current state law concerning capital punishment. I will support legislation to streamline the appeals process. I will 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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Citizens have a right to decide their taxes. I support legislation (and a constitutional amendment -- if it is the desire of the electorate) that would require voter approval on all tax and fee increases. These increases should be voted on once and only once in each annual or biennial election cycle. |
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