PORT ANGELES — The two candidates for state representative for the 24th Legislative District position both expressed a desire to improve the economy, housing and education on the Peninsula.
During the Tuesday morning Port Angeles Business Association forum at Joshua’s Restaurant, there was one strong point of disagreement between the candidates: the November ballot initiatives.
Matthew Roberson, R-Port Angeles, has been a Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney since 2016.
“I’m running because, like all of you, I love my community, I love my country, I love my state,” he said.
Adam Bernbaum, D-Port Angeles, used to serve as state Sen. Kevin Van De Wege’s legislative assistant.
Bernbaum said his legislative focus would be local infrastructure investments and the timber industry, climate change and a thriving rural economy.
The candidates agreed on the importance of improving the housing economy to help attract economic development.
Roberson said he would advocate for lot splitting and exempting detached accessory dwelling units from taxation. He also said the Legislature should minimize the regulations that it places on housing development.
“Immediately, from day one, I’m going to make calls, start working with colleagues, to see how we can take a shot on that,” he said.
Bernbaum said that, although building regulations should be rolled back, they are not solely responsible for disincentivizing housing development. Instead, he said lower return on investment is a big part of why developers aren’t building on the Peninsula.
To combat that, Bernbaum said the state should step in and support the local housing industry to make it a competitive marketplace.
Each candidate also expressed their support for increased education funding, especially for special education.
Roberson said one way to do that would be to put together an aid package for the lowest performing public schools.
The candidates disagreed about three state ballot initiatives.
Initiative 2109 aims to repeal the capital gains excise tax; Initiative 2117 aims to repeal provisions of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA); and Initiative 2124 aims to allow individuals to exempt themselves from the WA Cares program, which is a 0.58 percent payroll tax.
Bernbaum said he would vote no on each of the ballot initiatives, while Roberson said he would vote yes.
Bernbaum said that, although the WA Cares program and the CCA aren’t perfect, they are doing a messy job of addressing long-term problems and should be revised rather than scrapped.
Doing away with the CCA would “create a massive hole in the budget that would be devastating for transportation,” he added.
The 2021 CCA is a cap-and-trade system that aims to reduce carbon pollution. To date, it has generated more than $2 billion, according to the state Department of Ecology.
Roberson said that, while the CCA may fund good projects, the money isn’t required to be used for projects that clearly contribute to climate change reductions and emissions.
“It’s becoming a slush fund of desires and wants,” he said.
Additionally, he said that businesses’ CCA costs eventually trickle down to consumers.
“You and I are paying at the gas pump, at the grocery store, in our energy bill,” he said.
Bernbaum said he supports the capital gains excise tax because it raises revenue without relying on regressive property and sales taxes.
“I want to have a fair way of raising money,” he said.
The capital gains tax levies a 7 percent tax on the sale or exchange of long-term assets for any gains above $262,000. Real estate sales are exempt.
Bernbaum said he also would support increasing the capital gains tax percentage or making the real estate excise tax progressive.
“Ask people who are doing fine to pay their fair share, so we can lower the burden on the lower-income people in the community,” he said.
Bernbaum said that, as a Democrat, he would be able to utilize majority party networks to deliver on promises. As a Republican, he said Roberson could have a more difficult time navigating the Legislature.
“I negotiate for a living,” Roberson said. “I know what it’s like to give and take. I know what it’s like to build relationships.”
If elected, Roberson said he would focus on setting up a better future for his 2-year-old daughter and following generations.
“It’s about making sure opportunity doesn’t stop at the Hood Canal bridge,” he said.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
