Thank you for the compliments, but I wanted to take this opportunity to correct some assumptions the Editorial Board made about my Supreme Court race.
First, they assumed that my “bold ideas” are for the Legislature. However, my ideas regarding the proper operation of courts and the role they play in addressing the pressing issues of addiction and untreated mental illness in communities across this state, including Federal Way, are within the power of the Supreme Court as provided by statute and the Constitution.
The Supreme Court sets the rules of practice and procedure for all courts in this state (see RCW 2.04.190 and RCW 2.04.200). Legislators and city councils do not control courts, courts control courts.
We need leadership in the Supreme Court that is sorely lacking on these issues that are killing our communities. Courts can be part of the solution with the right leadership at the top.
As to McCleary, I was at the forefront of education funding litigation 10 years ago when I was a member of the Federal Way School Board. I maintain that the Supreme Court has driven people apart and that they should have tried to bring people together to help solve the education funding problems that are felt in Federal Way schools more than just about any other school district. I indicated that mediation (not arbitration) among different factions should have been tried before the unprecedented move to hold the state in contempt and charge taxpayers $100,000 per day in sanctions.
By the way, all living former governors (three Democrats and two Republicans) opposed contempt and sanctions; it isn’t just me.
In addition, mediation is non-binding and violates no constitutional provision. Bringing people together to solve problems is not a threat to separation of powers; it is actually the type of good government the people of this state deserve.
The Seattle Times endorsed me because of my “sophisticated knowledge” of education funding issues and my “innovative reforms” in our courts. The Tri-City Herald endorsed me because of my “list of achievements that are too exceptional to dismiss” that included my involvement in education, how I saved our court in Federal Way and another court halfway across the state, and my ability to bring people together.
I am proud to be endorsed by Democrats, Republicans, business organizations, labor unions and people from across this state.
I am running for the right reasons and I trust the voters to see that I can go to Olympia to improve the Supreme Court and the courts of this state in much the same way I improved our court in Federal Way.
Judge Dave Larson, Federal Way
