Legislative candidates faced off Thursday evening at the Vancouver Community Library at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, touching on a wide range of topics from how to fund the state’s public schools to the future of medical marijuana.
The two contenders for one of the more competitive races, Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, and challenger Lynda Wilson, vying for the 17th Legislative District, Position 1, fielded questions from the moderator first.
Wilson, a Republican and co-owner of DeWils Industries, said she’s “genuinely concerned with the direction of our state.” Wilson promised that, if elected, she would work to create a business-friendly climate in the state.
She blasted her opponent for not supporting the charter school initiative, which was on the ballot in 2012, and for voting against a measure that would have required a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to raise taxes.
“There are places where (Stonier) would be a better fit,” Wilson said. “Like maybe Seattle.”
Stonier, an educator who was vice-chair of the Education Committee during the 2013-14 Legislative session, said her background will be crucial in the upcoming session as lawmakers tackle how to fund the state’s public schools. Stonier also touted her background in being “willing to work across the aisle.” When it comes to the challenge of funding schools, it’s an issues she’s intimately involved with, Stonier said, adding “I live it every day.”
Stonier emphasized the importance of investing in early education, but Wilson was unsure about the validity of funneling more money into early grades.
“I would like to learn more about it,” Wilson said when asked about early childhood education.
Incumbent Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, faced his challenger, political newcomer Democrat Richard McCluskey, from Vancouver. Harris said he believes medical marijuana needs to be taxed; McCluskey said it needs to remain tax-free.
The exchange between incumbent Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Felida, and challenger Democrat Mike Briggs, of Washougal, who are vying for the 18th Legislative District’s first House position, got testy.
Briggs referred to Vick as someone who is “doing their best, plugging away, learning as he goes.” Briggs stressed his background as a retired lumber business professional and criticized Vick’s background as a person who works for his family’s landscaping business.
“I have a lot of experience,” Briggs said.
Vick took offense and said he would represent his constituents “regardless of what your trade is.”
Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, and Maureen Winningham, her Democratic challenger, highlighted their differences over the minimum wage and the proposed oil-by-rail terminal; Winningham is favor of boosting the minimum wage and opposes the oil-by-rail.
When it comes to ending the sales tax exemption for Oregonians, political veteran Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, and opponent newcomer Anson Service, found some common ground.
Wylie said she could argue the points either way, but too many businesses in Clark County have told her “we’ll go broke because we won’t have enough Oregon customers,” if the exemption was ended.
Finally, the two candidates hoping to represent the 49th District, Position 2, Republican challenger Lisa Ross and incumbent Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, talked about how to fund the state’s public schools.
“My belief is we’re going to raise taxes on somebody,” Moeller said.
Ross disagreed, adding she sees places to cut from the Department of Ecology, Natural Resources and the state’s health care authority.
“You can increase revenue without increasing rates and I promise, I will not raise your taxes. I will not toll our bridges and I will not infringe on your second amendment rights,” Ross said.
Lauren Dake: 360-735-4534; twitter.com/col_politics; lauren.dake@columbian.com
