State Representative, District -- 11, Position -- 2

Party: Republican

Residence: Renton

Education: AA Degree Bellevue Community College 1994; Additional College Seattle Pacific U

Public service and volunteer experience: Co-Chair, 2004 King County R Convention
Chair, 2001 Friends of Churches and Schools - Committee formed that helped successfully overturn the illegal and unconstitutional moratorium placed on construction and/or expansion of churches and public or private schools in the rural areas of King Counties.
Member, Renton Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
Have taken addicted and homeless individuals and troubled teens into our home.
Have helped elderly friends.
Have served as both Area Governor, Division Governor and District 2 Secretary for Toastmasters International.
Served in the '90s on the King County Elections Bi-Partisan Process Management Committee - Formed to help ensure the integrity of the voting system in King County.

Endorsements: 11th District Republicans
King County Republicans
Washington State Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS)
King County Sheriff's Office, City of Seattle Police, and Port of Seattle Police (COMPAS)
Renton Police Officers' Guild
King County Councilman Rob McKenna
King County Councilwoman Jane Hague
King County Councilman David Irons
King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert
King County Councilman Peter Von Reichbauer
King County Councilman Steve Hammond
Renton School Board Member Lynn Desmarais
Former 11th District State Senator and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Leo Thorsness
Former State Legislator Suzette Cooke
Vietnamese Northwest News Owner Kim Pham
Domingo & Beverly Barron
Rita Harris - Beacon Hill
Marilyn Sears
Monica Tracey
Vic & Susan Santie
Jorge Veniegas
Letty Cole
Lee & Alvina Vaughn
Roberta Yates
Peter Truong
Jim & Eikko Adams
Joel & Maurine Nelson
Laif & Donna Olson
Harry & Suzanne Lewis
Elizabeth Mullett
Louise Strander
Oudom Dahn
many other personal endorsements

Campaign theme: The Common Sense Candidate who listens and can be trusted to do what I say I will do. I support performance audits and governmental accountability.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? My opponent supports a progressive state income tax. I oppose a progressive state income tax. I have been endorsed by law enforcement and am a law abiding citizen with high regard and respect for the police. I believe that I have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and free speech. I do not believe that such rights entitle me to take part in activities that endanger the lives and property of law enforcement, fire fighters, private businesses and citizens, and those who need vehicle access to medical attention. My opponent wants to represent a specific group in Olympia. I want to represent the needs of ALL the people of in the 11th District, including children, teens, the elderly, working families and business owners. My opponent believes that raising taxes will solve our problems. I believe that in-depth audits and elimination of government waste will solve our problems. I support implementation of a uniform accounting system for all bodies of state government to allow cost-effective audits and prompt reporting of expenditures. I also propose that this information be placed online so taxpayers can easily see how their dollars are being spent. My opponent supports Nader for President in 2000. Most of us including myself voted within the two party system for either Bush or Gore.

What are your highest priorities for state government? If you had to close the projected $1 billion gap between state government revenues and expenses, how would you do it? The $1 billion gap is just what it says, a PROJECTION. Already, the economy has turned around in Washington State, and there is talk that the figure is way off base. Government must be accountable to the people, discipline its spending and use our tax dollars wisely. I will work hard to pass family and business friendly legislation. Instead of raising taxes, here are some ideas: Provide tax relief for families and retirees through mandatory audits and complete accountability of all governmental agencies. Create more jobs by eliminating excessive regulations and taxes on the thousands of large, small and home businesses in the 11th District. Implement some innovative, cost-effective transportation solutions including private toll roads to supplement public roads. This has been tried in many other areas with great success, little environmental impact and a reduction in the burden to ordinary taxpayers. It also give people the choice of using the toll road or the public highway with no tolls. Another idea would be HOT lanes. These are HOV lanes that are used by single passenger travelers also, but with a fee attached to those single occupancy trips in the the lane. Both of these ideas would help eliminate a lot of traffic congestion in the area without raising taxes. A third idea would be mini bullet trains. These are lightweight aluminum mini trains that carry passengers at high speeds. They are cost effective and the structure to hold them can be erected for very little cost and takes very little space because of the light load on the structure. Elimination of the Department of Labor and Industries in Olympia, to be phased out over a period of time and replaced with a privatized insurance system. We are one of the handful of states in the nation who do not have a private system. The cost is about 1/2, and the benefits are comparable. This would result in a huge savings for both the employers AND the employees. These monies could be used to grow businesses and stimulate the economy. Public safety laws that give protection to law enforcement and consider their needs, allow them to easier apprehend criminals and toughen sentencing for convicted criminals. One of the primary functions of government is to protect the safety of its citizens. We must give the police the tools they need to enforce the law so we can be protected.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? No. A tax by any other name is still a tax. There are several ways to raise more money. One idea: Schools are required to produce the monies for many unfunded mandates. These could be either eliminated or greatly reduced. For example: The education budget is approved by the State Legislature. The general fund budget is approved by the Legislature. The education money is distributed to the school districts. The school districts have to pay sales tax on goods and even construction and remodel of schools. This money goes into the black hole called the General Fund. Where did the money go? There is no accuntability and the schools are paying a huge amount of money into this black hole.

Are you happy with Washington's new primary? Are you supporting the initiative that would give Washington a "top 2" primary system that the parties oppose? The US Supreme Court ruled the blanket primary unconstitutional. The parties have already said they will sue if this current initiative passes, and worst case scenario, they will all 3 go to nominating conventions which would be much more inconvenient for all.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I do not support expansion of gambling.

Contact

PO BOX 1693
RENTON, WA 98057
(425) 227-6453
ruthgibbs1@aol.com

Campaign Web site:
www.ruthgibbs.com