State Representative, District -- 48, Position -- 1

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: September 15, 1961

Residence: Medina

Education: BS Computer Science, Yale University 1983

Political offices held: WA State Representative 2003-2005

Public service and volunteer experience: Bellevue Schools Foundation Trustee 2000-2004, Hopelink Board member 2004, Bellevue Quality Schools Steering Committee 2001-2002, Cubmaster Pack 435 (1999-2001), BSA Cascade District Vice-Chair 2001-2002

Endorsements: King County Journal, Seattle Times and Seattle PI, Children's Campaign Fund, Microsoft, NARAL Pro Choice Washington, Public School Employees of Washington, Sierra Club, WA Conservation Voters, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association, WA State Nurses Association PAC, WA Hospital Association PAC, WA State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, WA Bankers Association, PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company, WA State Council of Firefighters, Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs, Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, Washington Association of Realtors PAC and many others.

Campaign theme: We must build a new coalition of moderate legislators from both parties to make substantial changes to the way we do business as a state. We must:
• Adequately invest in our education system, from early learning through K12 and higher education.
• Improve our transportation system so that it catches up with population growth.
• Create a business climate that encourages companies to locate and expand here.
• Budget for the long-term, making prudent decisions about both revenue and expenses.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I have been endorsed by all three major newspapers. The papers specifically cited my moderate approach and bipartisan work. In contrast, my opponent is a recent member of the Republican state party executive committee, a partisan insider. My successful business career allowed me to be the only first-term legislator on the powerful Appropriations Committee. My opponent supports retaining the closed partisan primary we had this year, while I voted for the top-two alternative in the legislature.

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? My approach to closing the projected budget deficit this year is to continue the work Governor Locke started with his “Priorities of Government” approach. We must evaluate the relative performance of government programs so that we can determine how effective they are. Those that are most effective should be funded, those that are not should be eliminated. I would only consider additional revenue if, after careful consideration, we are unable to meet our most critical obligations.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? For over a decade our support for our K-12 education system has declined in real dollars. At the same time we are asking our teachers, students and school districts to significantly step up their performance. Cost of living adjusted pay for teachers in the Puget Sound area is one of the lowest in the country. I stand with Dan Evans, Booth Gardner and others and endorse I-884 because of the overwhelming need for adequate public education funding, despite my concerns about the tax source.

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? I’m unhappy with the primary we have this year. In the legislature, I voted for a “top-two” system. There are downsides to it, but I believe it is as close as possible to our previous blanket primary.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I don't support expansion of gambling in Washington. We do not want to have slot machines in every bar and restaurant in the state with all the social ills that will cause.

Contact

PO Box 4204
Bellevue, WA 98009
(425) 637-8149
ross@rosshunter.net

Campaign Web site:
www.rosshunter.net