Portland resident Jim Karlock contacted area candidates and reports their positions on the Interstate Bridge replacement project
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Two important issues, tolls and light rail have received little attention during this election. So I have prepared a guide to which candidates oppose tolls and oppose light rail and which ones support tolls and support light rail.
Who would vote to oppose tolls on a replacement Interstate Bridge (also light rail)?
Here is a guide to candidates that oppose (or support) tolls and light rail. Candidates were emailed a request to pledge to oppose tolls and to oppose light rail before the primary. After the primary, attempts were made to contact the winners that had not returned the pledges, in person at public events. A few ratings were based on answers given on television appearances.
Candidates that have promised to oppose both tolls and light rail:
CD 3 U.S. Representative, Joe Kent, R
LD 18 Pos 2, Greg Cheney, R
LD 20 Pos 2, Ed Orcutt, R
LD 49 Pos 1, Park Llafet, R
LD 49 Pos 2, Jeremy Baker, R
County Councilor No. 2, Michelle Belkot
County Councilor No. 5, Don Benton
Candidates that have said they support tolls or light rail:
CD 3 U.S. Representative, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D, Supports tolls & Light Rail
LD 17 Pos. 1, Terri Niles, D, Supports light rail
LD17 Pos 2, Joe Kear, D, Supports light rail & tolls if project killer
LD 18 Pos 1, John Zingale, D, Supports Tolls & Light Rail
LD 18 Pos 2, Duncan Camacho, D, Favors Tolls, Refused answer on light rail
Here are the candidates that ignored our email request or refused to take a stand on tolls and light rail:
LD17 Pos. 1, Kevin Waters, R
LD17 Pos 2, Paul Harris, R
LD 18 Pos 1, Stephanie McClintock, R
LD 20 Pos 1, Peter Abbarno, R
LD 49 Pos 1, Sharon Wylie, D
LD 49 Pos 2, Monica Jurado Stonier D
County Councilor No. 1, Hector Hinojosa & Glen Yung
County Councilor No. 2, Chartisha Roberts
County Councilor No. 5, Sue Marshall
More details are at http://www.no-tolls.com/pledge.html
Jim Karlock
Portland
Also read:
- Opinion: The unpreferred and unaffordable Interstate Bridge replacement proposal
Rep. John Ley argues that the Interstate Bridge Replacement proposal is unpreferred, unaffordable, and failing to address congestion, cost transparency, and community concerns. - POLL: If project costs continue to rise, what should lawmakers do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan?
This poll asks readers what lawmakers should do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan as costs rise and key decisions remain unresolved. - Opinion: IBR still holding and lying about coming billions in cost overruns
Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement officials are deliberately delaying the release of an updated cost estimate that he says could push the project toward $10 billion. - Opinion: Another problem with strike pay from the UI fund – Potential double-dipping, overpayments
Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that Washington’s new strike pay law risks overpayments and double-dipping unless workers are clearly warned at the point of applying for unemployment benefits. - Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project management
Rick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed.
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