Candidates Mike Chapman and George Vrable, who are running in the Aug. 2 primary election for the 24th state Legislative District Position 1 seat, answered questions about their positions.
Three names will be on the primary ballot. Tammy Ramsay, a Hoquiam Democrat, did not respond to requests to fill out a candidate questionnaire.
The 24th District covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
What specific steps would you take to create new jobs?
Chapman: I will work to fully fund basic education.
I will support eliminating the 60 percent voter supermajority needed to approve new school construction bonds.
I will make sure that tax dollars are used wisely to invest in local infrastructure and environmental restoration projects.
I support business-and-occupation-tax reform to tax net profit as opposed to gross income.
This reform will allow businesses to hire more people, pay better wages and provide better benefits.
Vrable: I would lower taxes on small business.
How would you ensure that private timber companies will be able to cut the maximum acreage they are allowed under state law?
Chapman: Timber companies must follow regulations in the 1999 Forest and Fish Law.
I will support policies that advance sustainable forestry while also providing environmental benefits to our community.
I will work to provide incentives for conservation while allowing working forests to provide benefits such as clean water, clear air, carbon sequestration, habitat for fish and wildlife, and open space for recreational activities.
I believe healthy, sustainable forestry can assist in the fight against climate change.
Vrable: The forest-practice rules need to be continually reviewed to ensure that they strike the best possible balance between necessary environmental protection and maximize the amount of harvestable timber.
Legislative oversight is a necessity.
How would you ensure that the state meets its obligations to fund K-12 education under the McCleary decision?
Chapman: We must reform our regressive tax code that hurts low-middle-class workers and small businesses while large corporations get huge tax breaks.
This tax structure has our poorest families paying about seven times more of their income in taxes than the top 5 percent.
The answer will not come in higher taxes but in a fairer tax system.
We need to ask the top 5 percent to pay their fair share to help fund education.
Vrable: Fund education first.
What should be done to address homelessness?
Chapman: We need an economy that works for everyone.
We need living wages earned by all workers so that everyone can have a place to call home.
I will support fully funding the Housing Trust Fund to help low-income workers become first-time homeowners.
The HTF creates a pathway to homeownership for veterans, people with disabilities, seniors and homeless families.
I will also support policy that works with landlords to facilitate a reduction in rents.
Vrable: I think we need to address mental health as well as economic opportunity.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Chapman: A lifelong Washington resident, I have been in public service since 1991 as a police officer and sergeant, U.S. Customs inspector and a four-term Clallam County commissioner.
I will use my experience to fund our schools, support tax-code reform to make it fairer for all, invest in public infrastructure to create jobs and ensure that our environment is protected.
I have one promise: I will work hard to improve our quality of life we enjoy.
Vrable: I believe in our Constitution and the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and what they created.
As Americans, we are the most fortunate people in history.
We inherited our Constitution and government with three branches and a balance of power.
Some politicians seem to believe the end justifies the means.
I strongly disagree when the means weakens our Constitution.
If we don’t protect our Constitution, we could lose what has made America the best hope of mankind.