In the coming legislative session, our state Senate could again be a place where compromises go to die.
Its gridlock this year crushed the hopes of businesses, commuters and most local jurisdictions by stifling action on a state transportation package. And if roads, transit and gas taxes were not divisive enough, this next Legislature will be under a court order and public pressure to meet the $2 billion-plus challenge of fully funding basic K-12 education.
The standoff between the Majority Coalition (mostly Republicans) and Senate Democrats stems from unyielding, partisan ideas about of government. And the choice facing 21st District voters in the current Senate race reflects that divide all too keenly.
Interestingly, both Marko Liias and Dan Matthews seem inclined to describe themselves as problem solvers who want to achieve results through cooperation.
Matthews backs up his commitment to public service by pointing to his combat duty with the Air Force and time on the Shoreline School Board. Unfortunately, on big issues such as education and transportation, he hews to hardened G.O.P. positions: Most problems are laid at the feet of over-compensated union employees, poorly managed public agencies and unnecessary government oversight. Simply banish these things and the state will miraculously recover its fiscal vigor.
These are easy arguments to sell to the party faithful but do little to get the job done in Olympia.
Liias has been carving out a full-time career for himself in public life. After six years in the House, he was appointed in January to a seat vacated by Sen. Paull Shin, which allows him to run as the incumbent. After supporting Jennifer Gregerson in her campaign for Mukilteo mayor, he was named to her transition team and soon after (as luck would have it) landed a job as the city’s policy analyst.
He blithely proposes revenue enhancements unlikely to appeal to conservatives (or many moderates): a revenue-positive property levy swap and a state health-insurance revamp he believes would free up millions of dollars. But don’t ask him to consider scrutinizing the management shortcomings of the Department of Transportation.
In the 21st District, if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, pick your poison.
The Herald would nudge the profoundly undecided voter toward Liias, only because Matthews’ election would serve to beef up the Senate Majority Coalition. That bloc has chosen too often to obstruct rather than govern.
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