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Editor’s note: Cascadia Daily News asked readers the Citizens Agenda’s prompt: What do you want candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes? Submitted questions were printed and published online, where readers voted for their top questions grouped into two subject categories: questions for candidates for federal and state offices, and regional questions for candidates for state legislative and local offices. The top reader questions were posed to candidates subject to CDN endorsement interviews; their answers — edited for length — are published below.
[ Read more: Social issues separate candidates in District 42 House race ]
What will you do about our housing crisis, not just the lack of stock but lack of average and middle-class affordability, and predatory investors and landlords?
Joe Timmons
I am deeply concerned about our state’s housing supply crisis. A lack of housing options in our community negatively impacts our economy, creates barriers to first-time homeownership, and significantly contributes to why people experience homelessness. Our family understands firsthand the challenges that many people in our community are experiencing — in 2021 our rent went up 35% right here in Whatcom County. I’m proud of our efforts in the Legislature to address this issue during my first term in office, including making historic investments in building more affordable housing, and changes to zoning laws to increase the housing supply and allow for a diversity of housing options. I will remain committed to addressing our housing crisis if reelected, including continuing my support for rent stabilization to protect tenants from excessive rent hikes and working to create more accessible options across the housing continuum.
Kamal Bhachu
Throughout the county, construction of multi-unit housing is going up. We need to keep this up. As the population of Washington continues to grow, so will the need for housing drive the supply and demand. Once the market has an adequate inventory, we will see the prices begin to drop. We need to expedite the permitting process to ramp up building. This will also create more jobs and feed into the local economies.
What will you do to bring fair and equitable funding to all public school districts in Washington? (Is the state’s “adjustment factor” working?)
Joe Timmons
As someone that attended Washington public schools throughout my life, I believe all students deserve access to the same high-quality educational opportunities. The Legislature made progress during my first term in office to more equitably fund education around the state, including supporting school districts by investing in special education, but there is more work to do. We need to continue to make adjustments to our state’s school funding formula to reduce disparities for districts around the state, including here in Whatcom County. If re-elected, I will continue to make this a priority by listening to educators about the best ways to address this issue, and by working with colleagues and local superintendents to find solutions that bring more fairness and equity to our schools so that all students have access to a quality education that prepares them for the future.
Kamal Bhachu
I recognize that there is a need for all schools to receive funding, but not all districts and areas have the same issues. You have to take into account the population and economic resources of each community. Some have fallen through the cracks, take Blaine for example. Further transparency is needed to see how and where funds are being spent. This will allow further discussion on what is needed. Schools need to be able to fund programs that are important to their community with regard to technical and professional needs.
Do you think the current state infrastructure (utilities, transportation, parks, etc.) is up to the standards that taxpayers expect? If not what specific things would you do to change that?
Joe Timmons
I have worked hard during my first term in office to improve our transportation infrastructure here in Whatcom County and around the state. This includes securing resources from Olympia for local transportation projects, supporting infrastructure for fish passage under our roads and highways, and also ensuring that our state is committed to preserving and maintaining existing infrastructure. I will remain committed to these efforts if re-elected. I am concerned that our public infrastructure does not support communities equitably in Whatcom County and around the state — there are inequities in access to sidewalks and internet, for example. I am committed to continuing to work with our local governments to support infrastructure projects that serve urban and rural communities across Whatcom County.
Kamal Bhachu
There are a lot of areas we are working to improve locally — for instance, Thornton overpass in Ferndale, Meridian intersection by Haggen, Slater Road exit. All areas are being upgraded for their communities’ needs. An area that desperately needs improvement in Washington state is bridges. They must be inspected routinely, brought up to standards and then maintained. Another area of concern is increasing the traffic capacity on our roads and highways. Again, there must be routine inspections, repairs and maintenance.
What is your stance on state Initiative 2117, which would repeal Washington’s Climate Commitment Act?
Joe Timmons
Like most people, I am deeply concerned about the impacts of climate change in our local communities, across our state and around the planet. We are already experiencing severe weather events with greater force and frequency, and I am proud to live in a state that is taking action to curb the effects of climate change. Funding from the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is contributing to important efforts that benefit Whatcom County residents — including funding public electric vehicle charging stations, funding for electric school buses, and Washington’s “kids ride free” program, which allows all riders 18 and under to ride transit, Amtrak and Washington State Ferries free of charge. I don’t want these programs and many others to go away with the repeal of the CCA. For these reasons, I do not support I-2117 and hope voters will join me in voting No.
Kamal Bhachu
Yes, I support the repeal. I think Initiative 2117 leads to high energy prices, especially for low-income people. For instance, when gas prices increase for truckers, they must recoup the costs to make a profit to care for their families. This translates to price increases for their transportation, which affects the cost of goods at the market for everyone. We need a more effective approach to dealing with climate change.
For legislators and the state attorney general: What can you do to ensure PeaceHealth and other hospital groups in the state provide price transparency, and screen patients for financial assistance eligibility?
Joe Timmons
I am proud to have voted in favor of legislation during my first term to improve consumer affordability by strengthening Washington’s Health Care Cost Transparency Board (House Bill 1508). Prior to my time in office, the Legislature also passed legislation to strengthen the social safety net by expanding charity care in hospitals. We need to ensure that these bills are enacted as intended and to build upon this work to further support patients and their families, including by addressing medical debt, which unfortunately is an issue impacting many Washingtonians. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 30% of Washington residents live in a household with medical debt, and 60% of adults in Washington cannot afford to pay an unexpected medical bill of $500 or more. Our state needs to do more to support families that experience unexpected health costs and assist people carrying medical debt.
Kamal Bhachu
We need new legislation that holds hospitals accountable for providing clear pricing information and annual audits to ensure compliance. PeaceHealth is required by law to provide information on financial assistance options at the time of service. This is done before an individual receives any treatment.
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