State Representative, District -- 10, Position -- 2

Party: Democrat

Residence: Camano Island

Education: Criminal Justice Degree, Everett Community College - 1994

Political offices held: None.

Public service and volunteer experience: *1986 - Present
CIVIL AIR PATROL
Presently serve as Inspector General for Washington Wing.
Hold grade of major.
Specialty qualification as Ground Search & Rescue Team Leader, Urban DF Team Leader, and Counterdrug Radio Operator.

*2003 - Present
CAMANO LUTHERAN CHURCH
Chair, Preschool Board. Member, Church Council.

Endorsements: * Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, 10th District (D).
* Former Rep. Dave Anderson.
* ATU 587 Seattle.
* ATU Legislative Caucus - Washington.
* Northwest Washington Labor Council.
* 10th District Democrats.
* IBEW Local 191 - Everett.

Campaign theme: Quality of Life, Community, Choice.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I belive the most important thing government does is serve the needs of the citizens of Washington, rather than the big business special interests. Instead of spending time trying to figure out how to make drug companies and developers happy, I will spend time working to make jobs more secure and families better served by government services.

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? To close the cavernous budget gap, we will have to consider measures all over the board: there can be few sacred cows. The equation is simple: either raise revenue (taxes), or decrease spending (service and budget cuts). The solution will necessarily comprise both of these elements. Performance audits, VET refinements, closing corporate tax loopholes, etc. During the process, however, I will work to prevent any service cuts from hurting those most in need.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? Much as I hate to pay more taxes, YES. We must to invest in our schools -- now.

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 loathe the new primary system. I will support the top 2 system only because it is the lesser of the two evils. The new primary system was created largely because the two major parties were concerned that their opponents would vote across party lines in the primary to set-up a weak opponent for their candidate to face in the general election. What a shame that we are left with this anemic primary system due to these types of concerns.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I don't support it, even though the tax revenue is attractive. The fact is that today, you have to actually GO somewhere to gamble in anything like a casino. If we allow these machines almost everywhere, we will see the detrimental effects that follow unfettered access to gaming. This will affect the poor and those least able to afford it. *** I would support looking at compromise legislation, though, as the tribal gambling monopoly isn't fair either.

Contact

370 N East Camano Drive
Suite 5, PMB 222
CAMANO ISLAND, WA 98282
425-760-1053
mlnorton@gte.net

Campaign Web site:
www.marknorton.org