Editorial
October 23, 2012
Our endorsements for state representatives
Issaquah is divided between the 5th and 41st legislative districts. Redistricting has changed district boundaries, but most Issaquah neighborhoods remain inside the 5th District.
North Issaquah and neighborhoods along Lake Sammamish shifted into the 41st District. Cougar Mountain west of state Route 900 and areas north of Interstate 90 act as the dividing lines.
Local legislative candidates answer questions
October 16, 2012
Click on the image to read candidate responses from state House of Representatives and state Senate candidates in the 5th and 41st legislative districts.
5th Legislative District — state House of Representatives
Chad Magendanz
How can the state fulfill its “paramount duty” to fund education, despite budget limitations?
• Budget writers must follow the Supreme Court ruling to fund education as our “first and highest priority before any other state programs or operations.”
What specific steps can state government take to entice businesses to expand or relocate to Washington?
• Reduce burdensome regulations by aligning with federal standards, reform workers compensation and unemployment insurance programs to lower costs, and simplify the B&O tax structure.
What specific steps can state government take to increase revenue, despite the existing limitations?
• A revenue-neutral swap of state property tax for local school levies would bring $1 billion of education funding into a more regular and dependable tax structure.
What specific steps can state government take to shore up Washington’s higher education system?
• Return to a 50-50 deal with university students and restore funding levels to their historical average, rather than just 8 percent of the general fund.
Meet congressional, legislative candidates at forum
October 9, 2012
Hear from the candidates for offices in Olympia and Washington, D.C., at a candidate forum cosponsored by The Issaquah Press, the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters.
The lineup for the Oct. 18 forum includes candidates for the state House of Representatives and state Senate, plus a candidate to represent Issaquah in Congress. The forum includes candidates in contested and uncontested races.
The event is not a debate. Candidates offer opening statements to the audience and then answer a series of questions from the moderator, Publisher Debbie Berto.
House candidates in 41st Legislative District focus on education, economy
October 9, 2012
The candidates in the 41st Legislative District race for a state House of Representatives seat cast the contest as a choice between experience in business or experience in government.
Tim Eaves
Marcie Maxwell
Voters elected the incumbent, Renton Democrat Marcie Maxwell, in 2008 and again in 2010. Republican Tim Eaves, a political newcomer and a longtime Issaquah resident, decided to challenge Maxwell days before the candidate-filing period closed in May.
Both candidates said education is the top priority among the 41st District electorate, and Maxwell and Eaves often field questions about education policy as they canvass the district.
Eaves, who owns a small business in Lynnwood, said he sees a link between education and the economy.
Local legislative candidates join chambers’ forum
October 2, 2012
Voters can hear from candidates for the state House of Representatives and Senate on Oct. 9 at a forum organized by the Issaquah and Sammamish chambers of commerce.
The lineup includes the contenders for a 5th Legislative District House seat — Republican Chad Magendanz and Democrat David Spring — and the Senate seat — Democrat Mark Mullet and Republican Brad Toft.
The candidates in the 41st Legislative District, state Rep. Marcie Maxwell, D-Renton, and Issaquah Republican Tim Eaves — plus state Sen. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island, and Mercer Island Democrat Maureen Judge — also plan to attend.
State Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, the uncontested candidate for the other House seat in the district, is also expected to attend.
The forum is from 3:30-5 p.m. at Blakely Hall, 2550 N.E. Park Drive. Organizers plan to focus on business and economic issues.
Under Initiative 1240, local charter school is unlikely
September 25, 2012
On Nov. 6, people across the state will cast their vote whether to allow charter schools in Washington, and locals stand on both sides of the argument.
Supporters say the schools could pursue innovative educational techniques, free from most state regulation and without unionized teachers.
Opponents say charter schools have insufficient oversight and would drain money from traditional public schools.
“We have great schools, we have great teachers,” said Jodi Mull, an Issaquah High School parent who said she had no problem gathering signatures to get Initiative 1240 on the ballot. “Maybe it’s not going to help me in my community, but it will help others.”
How did Issaquah vote?
September 18, 2012
Data from the Aug. 7 primary shows how Issaquah voters decided — and offers clues to how the local electorate might vote in the November general election.
Voters endorse property tax measure, incumbent candidates
August 14, 2012
King County voters endorsed a $200 million property tax measure to build a juvenile justice facility to replace the aging Youth Services Center, a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
The property tax measure, Proposition 1, appeared on a crowded primary ballot alongside federal, judicial, legislative and statewide contests.
Voters endorse property tax measure, incumbent candidates
August 7, 2012
NEW — 8:40 p.m. Aug. 7, 2012
King County voters endorsed a $200 million property tax measure to build a juvenile justice facility, as King County Elections released initial results Tuesday night.
Officials asked voters to fund a replacement for the aging Youth Services Center, a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
The measure appeared on a crowded primary ballot alongside federal, judicial, legislative and statewide contests. Voters in Issaquah and throughout Washington returned ballots in recent days, as the calendar inched closer to the summer primary — and the Tuesday deadline to postmark or return ballots.
The electorate chose the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, in the all-mail primary election. The top vote recipients then advance to an all-mail general election Nov. 6.
Candidates receive boost from Municipal League of King County
July 10, 2012
Issaquah candidates for the Legislature received top marks from the Municipal League of King County, as the nonpartisan organization ranked candidates a little more than a month before the Aug. 7 primary.
The league ranks candidates through a rigorous process during each election cycle. The ratings provide a tool for voters — plus fodder for candidates’ campaign mailers and websites.
Evaluators scrutinize candidate records, check references, review candidate questionnaires and interview the electoral hopefuls. The league rates candidates on a set of criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge.
