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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Legislature is now in the second week of session. I’ve been working on education-related and other legislation, which I’ll update you on in the coming weeks. This week, I’d like to talk about the online survey I recently asked you to take:
The survey results are in…
A big thank you to everyone who took my 5th District survey! A total of 627 people responded, and the results were very informative and helpful.
Here’s how you ranked the issues important to you (“1” most important; “9” least important):
1. Jobs & the economy
2. Education
3. Controlling government spending
4. Taxes
5. Health care
6. Crime & public safety
7. Transportation
8. Limiting the size of government
9. Environment
Here’s how you ranked your priorities for funding in the state budget:
1. K-12 education
2. Public safety
3. Transportation
4. Higher education
5. Health care
6. Early learning
7. Social services (i.e., services for vulnerable and low-income citizens)
8. Tax relief
9. State parks
When I asked how much – if any – of an additional gas tax you’d be willing to pay for certain transportation projects, most of you would only be willing to pay one to two cents more for maintaining existing roads and infrastructure and adding capacity to existing roads. Most of you were not willing to pay any additional gas tax for bicycle lanes, pedestrian paths, ferries, adding new transit service, building new roads and maintaining existing transit service.
Here is a chart that illustrates your answers:
Finally, the vast majority of you – 75.7% – said that in light of expensive mistakes at the state Department of Transportation, before or along with any gas tax increase transportation reforms are necessary to make sure public money is better spent.
Hundreds of you also offered individual comments and suggestions, which I’m looking forward to reading.
Again, thank you so much for taking part in the survey!
Listen to my podcast…
You can hear my take on the first week of session in my latest podcast. A brief recap: the state Supreme Court told the Legislature we need to do more on education funding (you can read Justice Jim Johnson’s dissent here). Gov. Inslee gave his annual State of the State address and called for new spending and taxes. I also discuss the 5th District survey and my bill to give students information about the earnings potentials of different postsecondary degrees and certificates.
…And watch my video update
You can also watch my video update here.
Thank you for your time, and as always feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Chad Magendanz
