Name: Jeff Wilson
Town: Longview
Party: Republican
Education: Mark Morris High School; studied at Western Washington University
Employment/Business Background: Businesses founded/ Cowlitz Clean Sweep Inc., JONCO Portable Sanitation, Tamco unlimited PSS LLC, TPI Portable Sanitation. Professional/ Longview Port Commissioner.
Endorsements: Mainstream Republicans of Washington; Brad Thurman, Cowlitz County Sheriff; UA Local 26.
Questions
1. We’ve had an updated revenue forecast for almost a month and we know more about the financial and social impacts of COVID-19. Is it time for the Legislature to have a special session to address budget and other issues?
I have spoken consistently that the legislators need to go back to work, now. A special session will also show the voters that our electeds are ready to tackle the issues we all face. Simply put, the governor or the legislators should have already called a special session.There is nothing more serious than addressing the COVID impacts. We as voters deserve that our legislators go back to work for us and the sooner the better. … The Governor needs to be held accountable as well, and our voices must be heard from our legislators.
2. Because of Covid-19, the state will lose billions of dollars in revenue over this biennium and next, much more than is in the current rainy day fund. Balancing the budget will mean cuts and/or raising taxes. What are your thoughts on whether to cut spending or raise revenue?
We cannot let our legislators try to “tax” our way back into recovery, Seattle style politics of simply taxing at will is too much burden to place on the residents of the 19th District. I will oppose any income or additional gains taxation. Period. Rather than call it budget cuts, I prefer budget responsibility, just add transparency and provide the confidence to the voters that our government is just that, OUR government.
3. If the Legislature has to raise taxes to balance the budget, which segments of the economy should see the increases.
Why does the words “balancing a budget” include raising taxes? I am a firm “No” on income or additional gains taxes. The past four years the legislators have recklessly spent our tax dollars at a unsustainable rate, now add a pandemic and those related issues and we have a choice, continue on with our current leadership or step away and insert newly elected officials that are not afraid of making tough choices.
4. Is there a need for policing reform? If so, what are some of the issues that need addressing?
The broad policy changes which are required for real police reform would involve the cooperation of police unions and local government officials. A great deal of policing is done on the community basis, therefore the local government and community members must be involved in the process. The death of George Floyd is a sad reminder that police and social reforms are necessary. I believe it’s time to modernize our police force in order to meet that need, and the utilization of available, unbiased technology is a possible avenue for achieving that. For these reasons, I support de-escalation training and video-monitoring.
5. What is the most pressing need in your district and what can the Legislature do to address it?
The most pressing need for all the communities is to have a clear direction and plan on how to deal with, and recover our rural economies that have been under complete rule by our governor. Clearly we must keep our economy alive, as the alternative to a stifled economy will have dangerous and lasting impacts on our district. A clear plan must include how we are to live amongst, and live with the virus not going away anytime soon.The most critical need our district has is to replace the incumbent senator who has a proven record of tax and spending increases, and a lack of following the will of the people.
