We can think of no more important a time than in the throes of a recession to send the right legislative team to the state capital.
The demands of the legislature are unlike any seen in the last four decades.
We can no longer rely on consumerism to fully replenish the coffers of the state. That means we need representatives who are willing to look at reshaping our state government to the size and services we can afford.
The upcoming session is especially important to the business community because the policy decisions made this term will have a direct effect on the ability of businesses to be profitable and whether new businesses will locate here.
Here are our thoughts on the candidates we believe would best serve the interests of the business community of southwest Washington:
17th District
Position 1: Tim Probst vs. Brian Peck
Probst is seeking a second term after what has been heralded as a masterful freshman term. Probst brought the skills of a budget analyst to his representative role. He showed a personal commitment by declining special session compensation and by cutting his Olympia office expenses in half. For those reasons, we believe he has earned a second term. Peck certainly has the small business experience to bring to the position, but his case for change falls short given Probst's track record.
Position 2: Monica Stonier vs. Paul Harris
Generally we would lean in favor of the small business experience Harris brings to this race, but we are attracted to Stonier's bold enthusiasm and the fact that she believes government needs to be held accountable. Deb Wallace created a high standard against which the next representative will be compared. We think Stonier is up to the challenge.
18th District
Position 2: Anne Rivers vs. Dennis Kampe
We applaud Kampe's willingness to continue to serve his community as a representative of the 18th District. Already, he has led the award-winning Clark County Skills Center. However, we believe his opponent is simply too strong. Rivers has been active throughout Southwest Washington for the past decade and brings a much broader perspective than Kampe. Interestingly, both candidates were teachers, but we believe Rivers' experience in the private sector as a business owner and consultant will best serve the business community in the upcoming session.
49th District
Position 1: Jim Jacks vs. Bill Cismar
Jacks is another freshman representative who spent his first sessions in Olympia distinguishing himself as anything but a novice. He gained a reputation as someone who knows the facts, knows the art of deal making and gets results. Cismar, on the other hand, fails to make a case for change beyond his party's platform rhetoric.
Position 2: Jim Moeller vs. Craig Riley
This race is difficult, as we believe Moeller was a passionate representative for the district in his eight years in Olympia. However, we are concerned that Moeller's positions are those of a by-gone era. Increasing taxes on businesses and adding an income tax cannot be the solution when we're in the depths of a recession. Meanwhile, Riley has worked in and owned small businesses. His perspective on budget management and limiting the size of government will serve the district best in the next session.
