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| Mike Stensen, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: State Representative, |
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| Mike Stensen |
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District 31, Position 1 |
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| Age: 54 |
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| Residence: Enumclaw |
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| Occupation: |
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Manufacturing engineer, Boeing |
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| Education: |
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Studied history, economics, Green River and Highline community colleges |
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| Political history: |
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State representative, 1998-present; Enumclaw School Board member, 1993-98; Enumclaw City Councilman, 1980-85 |
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| Endorsements: |
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Washington Education Association, District Lodge 751, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Washington State Council of Police and Sheriffs |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.mikestensen.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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A lifetime of experience, a long history of community involvement and a proven commitment to children and 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 |
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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I would propose a system in which primary voters are free to choose a particular party's ballot prior to voting, but are not locked into any one party at the time of registering and are free to vote for any candidate in the general election. |
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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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I would support some tax cuts for businesses, specifically the business-and-occupation tax. |
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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 would not support such an amendment. I do not believe that splitting the rolls is the best way to address the property-tax issue. All property taxes should be equal. |
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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 would support the strongest privacy legislation offered with no exemptions. People's personal information should be private, and no government or commercial entity should be able to share this information without their knowledge and consent. |
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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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I support creating a dedicated fund for bonding stream that the public knows will go to pay for roads. |
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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 should be applied carefully and without bias. I would support a moratorium on executions under a legislative directive to study the fairness of death sentences. |
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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 would not support an amendment. The Legislature must have the unencumbered ability to make policy decisions, especially concerning funding. I support the public's power of initiative, referendum and recall, but an additional vote on every tax and fee would usurp power from the Legislature and undermine our legislative process. |
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