The Mirror is providing an opportunity for District 30 state representative candidates to speak to readers in their own words by answering questions related to Federal Way voters.
Candidates Shawn Sullivan and Mark Miloscia answer the following question: Name at least one issue or problem specific to District 30, and explain how you will fix the problem in Olympia.
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Shawn Sullivan
The biggest problems facing the 30th District are job loss and our economy. If you look at previous recessions, it was small business owners that got us through tough times. However, it is extremely difficult to start and maintain a business in Washington. I will work tirelessly to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses, and my plan includes a cap on the minimum wage. My opponent believes the way out of this recession is increasing the minimum wage, and he writes and personally introduces that bill every year. I want to make it easier for employers to hire people, instead of creating another burden that stifles growth.
Fast facts: Sullivan, a Republican, is making his first bid for public office.
Website: www.voteshawnsullivan.com
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Mark Miloscia
Today, the most important issue the people of this state and the 30th District faces is ensuring that we have a quality government with sustainable long-term budgets, while promoting the values and business climate that creates strong families and family wage jobs. Only by addressing this problem, will our state and district have the needed revenue to support the future critical education and human service needs.
Simply put, we must make our government and schools more effective and efficient in the long run. Many leaders and politicians in our state have stopped reforming or improving government performance and have allowed our budgets and programs to grow at a rate faster than the money we collect. This unfortunately causes many to incorrectly look to raising taxes as a first solution, rather than to work on the root causes of our crisis. We will never succeed if this is our choice.
In Olympia and across this state, I have been loudly and passionately challenging leaders and fighting for real reform and to get our state off this unsustainable path of just looking to raise taxes. Instead, we must propose and pass legislation that truly reforms government (Quality Audits, Ethical Government, Real Education Accountability, for example) and limits the growth of our government budgets to less than revenue or inflation growth.
Like our state homeless policies, all our policy efforts need to focus on moving all people and families to self-sufficiency by creating and encouraging strong families and family wage jobs.
Fast facts: Miloscia, a Democrat, is currently serving his sixth term in office.
Website: www.markmiloscia.com
