The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum with District 30 state representative candidates.

Democrat Roger Flygare and Republican Linda Kochmar are running for state rep. position 1. Republican Katrina Asay and Democrat Roger Freeman are running for state rep. position 2.

Candidates shared their views and platforms on business-related issues for the area and state. The forum was held Oct. 3 at the Chamber’s monthly membership luncheon at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Notes

All four candidates expressed their support to help small businesses succeed in the 30th District and state. All four candidates supported the proper and adequate funding of education in the state.

What legislative actions can create jobs in the private sector?

• Asay: The incumbent state rep. suggested a two-year moratorium on all bill making in Olympia, unless the bills relate to safety and health. Too many new rules lead to uncertainty for the business climate, she said. One aspect she would focus on is the creation of more entry-level jobs.

• Freeman: The Federal Way City Councilman said the Business and Occupation tax (B and O tax) needs to be stabilized, and tax credits can help businesses expand. He also suggested tapping revenue from liquor sales toward the marketing of businesses. One aspect he would focus on is more job training to get people to help themselves.

• Kochmar: The Federal Way City Councilwoman said businesses need certainty, and that business owners are worried about paying taxes and medical insurance expenses. She said the state must clean up the permit process. One aspect she would focus on is more training and apprenticeship programs.

• Flygare: He said the state must take the burden off small businesses, a burden he understands from owning a small court reporting business. The health of a business is something to address over several years, instead of the short-term. He wants to defeat a tax on realtors. One aspect he would focus on is finding ways to get people to participate in the economy and lower unemployment.

State funding for K-12 education

• Flygare: That is his number one priority.

• Kochmar: She supports prioritizing the budget and putting more of “education’s future into the hands of principals.”

• Freeman: Education is his top priority. He supports the allocation of more money for adequate staffing and measurable outcomes.

• Asay: Education is not a partisan issue, she said. She supports levy reforms to make funding more uniform, and also setting aside 50 to 55 percent of new state revenue for education.

On which committees would you like to serve?

• Asay: Capital budget and transportation committees.

• Freeman: Education and economic development.

• Kochmar: Transportation and business finance

• Flygare: Business and financial services and transportation.

What are the top three priorities of state government?

• Flygare: Education, transportation, and small businesses.

• Kochmar: Jobs, improving the regulatory system, and education.

• Freeman: Education, growing businesses, and providing a safety net for less fortunate.

• Asay: Education, public safety and transportation.

Candidate forum Oct. 9

The Federal Way Mirror and Federal Way Chamber will host a general election forum for District 30 candidates.

The forum runs 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Federal Way High School Little Theater, at Pacific Highway South and South 308th Street.

The evening will be divided between two races for the state Legislature.

For state rep. position 1, Linda Kochmar and Roger Flygare will debate from 5 to 6:15 p.m. In the race for state rep. position 2, Katrina Asay (Republican) and Roger Freeman (Democrat) will debate from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

The audience can submit questions at the beginning of the debate. Candidates get opening and closing statements, and 1 minute to answer each question.

About the candidates (click on candidate’s name to visit website)

• Linda Kochmar, a Republican: Kochmar has served on the Federal Way City Council since 1997, including stints as mayor, deputy mayor and chairwoman of multiple committees. Kochmar is a risk manager at Lakehaven Utility District, where she has worked 33 years.

• Roger Flygare, a Democrat: Flygare owns a small court reporting business. He has worked with state lawmakers to pass bills related to the court reporting profession, such as license requirements and protection of job performance.

• Katrina Asay, a Republican: Asay was elected to the state representative seat vacated by Skip Priest, who became Federal Way’s first elected mayor in 2010. Asay helped pass tougher legislation related to illegal cash for gold sales.

• Roger Freeman, a Democrat: Freeman, an attorney for 17 years who works with parents dealing with Child Protective Services, was elected to the Federal Way City Council in 2009. His most notable accomplishment since taking office is reviving the city’s annual Martin Luther King Celebration.

Primary election forum

Click here to read a report from the District 30 primary election forum held in July. The report includes statements and information on candidates in the November 2012 general election.