Democratic 21st District State Sen. Marko Liias and Republican challenger Dan Matthews recently sent statements about what the legislature should do to comply with the 2012 State Supreme Court order to provide full state support for basic public education.
The two are alone on the Tuesday, Aug. 5, primary ballot, meaning that both are certain to advance to the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
Liias won appointment to the position after former Sen. Paull Shin resigned in January. Liias earlier served six years in the State House of Representatives.
Matthews filed for the position, with a party preference of “G.O.P.”
The 21st Legislative District includes most of Edmonds, unincorporated areas north of Edmonds and Lynnwood and northeast of Lynnwood, all of Mukilteo and part of south Everett.
Here are statements from the candidates on state support for education in the order the candidates appear on the primary ballot:
21st DISTRICT STATE SENATOR
Dan Matthews (Prefers G.O.P. Party)
Dedicate the first 40 days of the legislative session solely to Education – fully funding education FIRST.
There is no funding shortfall if we set priorities and cooperate in this common objective. I’m not a politician; I work for you, the voters, and I will work together with anyone – for solutions and results. End dysfunction – do our job, honorably. Needed: Integrity; Accountability; Commitment; Cooperation; Leadership. Tackle our biggest problem: Spending! Address Revenue issues: scrutinize tax breaks; plug loopholes; examine fairer single business tax and levy swaps. Streamline government; eliminate waste; end excessive, wasteful regulation. Commit to education FIRST, everything else next!
Marko Liias (Prefers Democratic Party)
I am where I am because of quality public schools and great teachers. Providing all Washington students with a quality education is a fundamental obligation. Living up to this obligation is no easy task and I think we need to be honest about it. We can embrace LEAN government practices and close existing loopholes; however, those alone will not get us there and we will need to look at additional revenue sources. That is the reality and it will be worth it. Our kids should always come first and we need to do everything we can to help them succeed.
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