LD 10 candidates in Aug. 6 primary

RON MUZZALL

Why are you seeking office?

When I was elected, I promised to be a different kind of senator and focus on doing what is best for our district. Every bill I've passed in the last five years has had bipartisan support. It's why I have the support of folks across the political spectrum.

Where will significant funding for building "missing middle" housing come from?

The Legislature has invested in middle-class housing by way of the housing trust fund. I am proud to have brought millions in state grants to workforce housing projects in the 10th District and help tackle this housing crisis. But the answer to the demand for affordable housing is simply more supply. We need to speed up permitting because delays increase costs. Industry analysts estimate that fees and permits add upwards of $100,000 to the cost of each new home built. That needs to change if we are to bring down the price of new homes.

What's your position on I-2109? It would repeal the tax imposed on individual long-term capital gains over $250,000.

I support I-2109. The new "capital gains" tax is an income tax masquerading as an excise tax. Even the IRS considers it to be a type of income tax. Also, it is the least dependable form of taxes for the state budget: we saw the state's capital gains income drop by 50% in a year - reducing funding to education. Currently, the bar is set at $250,000, but they are already pushing to lower that amount to include middle class incomes and include the sale of real property.

What's your position on I-2117? It would prohibit carbon tax credit trading and repeal the Washington Climate Commitment Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.

I support I-2117. The Climate Commitment Act is a very flawed piece of legislation. It drove up the price of all fuel, adding as much as 46 cents a gallon to the price of gas, giving us the honor of having the HIGHEST gas prices in the country last summer. How can a state as blessed agriculturally as Washington have the fourth highest food costs in the nation? This has had a disproportionate impact on those struggling in our society. The opposite of a wealth tax, the Climate Commitment Act hurts most those who can least afford it.

What's your position on I-2124? It would allow workers to opt out of WA Cares, the state's long-term care program.

I support I-2124 to allow taxpayers to opt out of the Long-Term Care Tax. While we have seen some positive changes to Long Term Care Tax, like exempting military spouses and out-of-state workers, at the end of the day, it is still a pyramid scheme. It caps the benefit to $36,500, which is $100 a day for a year. If you leave the state, you lose it. If you are over 60, you never vest into the program, and if you are in your twenties, you will pay into the program several times more than the benefit you'll receive. They are deceiving Washingtonians into believing this will pay for long-term care. Truthfully, this will only cover a small portion of it.

Who won the 2020 presidential election?

I have never seen evidence that the 2020 election was fraudulent. Joe Biden was elected president as confirmed by Congress.

JANET ST. CLAIR

Why are you seeking office?

As a teacher, social worker, and now two-term County Commissioner, I have a lifelong commitment to public service. I am a proven leader who shows up, listens and solves problems that impact our local communities. I have deep experience on policy at the local, state and national level and will be your voice in Olympia. I have fought to strengthen small businesses, bring affordable internet to rural counties, protect women's access to health care and strengthen law enforcement in Island County. I will do the same in Olympia.

Where will significant funding for building "missing middle" housing come from?

The missing middle is a critical element in solving our housing crisis, especially for working families seeking a starter home and seniors who wish to age in place. Policies that support public/private partnerships to encourage construction of housing focused on our low to middle-income families address a critical need. We also need to reduce regulatory barriers for middle and small housing, for example those less than 1,500 square feet, by streamlining permitting such as stock plans, and adding flexible language on new building codes for smaller homes. State code also needs to recognize the unique issues with septic and water in rural counties to allow innovation. We can also provide incentives and workforce support for builders and nonprofits willing to specialize in missing middle housing.

What's your position on I-2109? It would repeal the tax imposed on individual long-term capital gains over $250,000.

The wealthiest among us need to pay their fair share. This tax is levied on less than 8,200 of the wealthiest Washington households, who often pay proportionally less of their income in taxes than working families. The revenue will contribute to critical funding needs such as child care, early learning programs that are proven to lead to educational readiness and success, and our local schools for construction and maintenance.

What's your position on I-2117? It would prohibit carbon tax credit trading and repeal the Washington Climate Commitment Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.

The CCA requires the worst polluters in Washington to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a cap and invest strategy. The revenue for this program is being used to help support local green energy projects such as low-income home energy upgrades, wildfire prevention, new conservation and restoration. It invests in EV charging infrastructure and transportation such as zero-emissions transit and $200 million for new electric or hybrid ferries. It allocates $180 million for local agriculture projects and investments in tribal priorities including fishing fleet upgrades. Without this funding, many of these priorities will be further delayed or eliminated from state funding.

What's your position on I-2124? It would allow workers to opt out of WA Cares, the state's long-term care program.

As I am now the primary caregiver for an aging parent, I deeply understand the challenges of long-term care. The WA Cares Act helps families like my own plan for the future and ensures our seniors can age with dignity and the care they deserve.

Who won the 2020 presidential election?

Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election.

DENNY SANDBERG

State Senate candidate Denny Sandberg did not respond with answers to questions posed by the La Conner Weekly News.