Dear 2nd District Friends:

In February, 2005, I sent out my annual questionnaire to citizens of the 2nd Legislative District seeking your thoughts and ideas on issues before the Washington State Legislature. I received nearly 3,000 responses on your views, which helped me through the session. I appreciate your participation and your thoughts and ideas on our legislative agenda. Hearing from you is very important for me to vote on your behalf. Thank you for your participation. Here is the outcome of the questionnaire and how you feel about issues facing our state.

Sincerely,

Rep. Tom Campbell
2nd District State Representative

TAXES AND SPENDING
The Legislature must adopt a balanced budget for 2005-07. This will be challenging because the state financial office figures the cost of funding state services will be much higher than the amount of money available from taxes and fees. The difference is expected to be $16 billion.
Here’s how you responded to the options I’d outlined in my questionnaire:

A) Raise taxes; don’t cut services – 25%
B) Some higher taxes, mostly service reductions – 19%
C) Some service reductions, mostly higher taxes – 18%
D) Reduce services, don’t raise taxes – 38%.

If you choose raising taxes, please indicate which tax(es) you would prefer to see increased.
Your response:

A) Income Tax – 17%
B) B) Property Tax – 5%
C) Sales Tax – 22%
D) "Sin taxes" – higher sales taxes on items such as tobacco products and alcoholic beverages – 56%

If you choose reducing services, please indicate where you want the Legislature to cut back.
Your response:

A) Education – 30%
B) Health and human services – 35%
C) Spending by agencies such as the State Patrol, state courts, Fish and Wildlife – 35%

STATE EMPLOYEE SALARIES
This year was the first time state employees represented by unions were able to negotiate with the governor for wages and benefits. Former Gov. Locke had proposed $106 million for the labor contract, which will give state employees (other than teachers) their first salary increases in four years. He also proposed $118 million to give raises to non-union state employees. What do you think?
Your response:

A) Vote yes – 51%
B) Vote no – 49%

CHANGES TO ELECTIONS?
Should Washington’s primary, now in September, be moved to an early month and should absentee ballots be counted only if they are returned to the county elections office on or before Election Day?
Your response:

A) Yes – 63%
B) No – 37%

REVOTE FOR GOVERNOR?
Many voters have expressed a lack of confidence in the accuracy and fairness of the recent election for governor. Do you believe the Legislature should order a revote?
Your response:

A) Yes – 63%
B) No – 37%

INDOOR SMOKING BAN?
Pierce County tried in Jan. 2004 to impose a ban on indoor smoking. The rule was overturned by a county judge and the State Supreme Court agreed.
Should the state Clean Indoor Air Act be changed to prohibit smoking inside all restaurants, taverns, cocktail lounges, etc.?
Your response:

A) Yes – 46%
B) No – 54/%

Prohibit smoking only inside restaurants and other establishments where children may be present?
Your response:

A) Yes – 46%
B) No -- 54%

WAL-MART IN YELM?
Your Response:

A) Yelm should great Wal-Mart the same as any other business wanting a permit to build. – 65%
B) I do not want a Wal-Mart in Yelm. -- 35%

REQUIRE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE?
Your response:

A) The state should require employers with more than 50 employees to provide health plans for their employees. – 70%
B) Large employers should not be required to offer medical benefits. – 30%

GUN OWNERSHIP
Your response:

A) I support a ban on private ownership of semi-automatic weapons. -- 29%
B) I support a ban on private ownership of handguns. – 3%
C) Leave all gun-ownership laws alone. – 47%
D) I support making gun locks mandatory. – 21%

GUNS IN THE CAPITOL
Your response:

A) No one (except Capitol security officers and law enforcement officers) should be allowed to have a gun inside the Capitol. – 67%
B) If you have a concealed weapons permit, you should be allowed to carry a gun inside the Capitol. – 33%