This General Election, incumbent Democrat Tana Senn and challenger Tim Cruickshank, a Republican, are running for the first position seat for the 41st Legislative District. Mercer Island, Newcastle, and surrounding sections of Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Renton, all lie within the boundaries of Legislative District 41.
Please provide a brief biography
Senn: I currently serve as state representative for the 41st Legislative District. I previously served on the Mercer Island City Council and as a communications and government relations consultant for nonprofits and foundations. I am on the board of Hopelink, the National Association of Jewish Legislators and the University of Washington Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology. I have also served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, and Island Park PTA.
Cruickshank: Tim is a Washington King County native. He attended Kennedy Catholic High School. He and his wife have three school-aged children. In 1990 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy with the intention of becoming a Navy SEAL. His core values, work ethic, and dedication guided him. With an attrition rate surpassing 75 percent, Tim graduated one of 17 sailors. Tim earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree. Tim was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 2002, ultimately retiring as a lieutenant commander. While serving his country, living all over the world, he chose to return home after retirement to raise his family in the 41st district to serve his community. Having honorably served for 25 years as a Navy SEAL and Medical Service Corps officer, Tim has been decorated 29 times, including the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor denoting heroism in combat. Tim is a proven leader on and off the battlefield.
Do you believe taxes are calculated fairly to fund education in our state? If not, what would you change?
Senn: We have a very regressive tax structure in our state. Large increases in property taxes as the only way to fund education hit our Eastside communities the hardest, creating greater hardship for our seniors and lower-income families. We can reduce property taxes by implementing a capital gains tax that will help our tax code become more progressive.
Cruickshank: No — over 50 percent of property tax dollars are targeted for our schools, yet only 60 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom. Less than half of school employees are teachers. Yet district offices have been growing in staff and that diverts money away from the teacher and the classroom where it is needed most. A better measure of funding schools is “fund the child” used across the country. Under this system, funding is measured by the dollar amount cost of each child’s education. The individual student funding follows the child to the public school. Funding for each child can include a dollar multiplier to assist children who require more resources. Devoting these dollars to local schools allows principals and teachers to decide how best to educate children. It allows the public to know just how much lawmakers are providing for each child, and to compare this amount with what was provided in past years. A clear, per-student method of funding would show whether the Legislature is fulfilling its constitutional duty to provide for the education of every child.
Home prices and property taxes have been on the rise. How would you promote housing diversity and affordability?
Senn: I have been leading the :egislative effort on condominium liability reform. By helping kick-start condominium building, we can help people build equity through condo home ownership as well as ensure empty-nesters and retirees have an opportunity to downsize.
Cruickshank: The GMA was passed in 1990 and was based upon Oregon’s GMA. A critical aspect of it was to move the Urban Growth Boundary every five years like they do in Oregon. The UGB has never been moved and that has lead to massive shortages of buildable lands. There is no amount of taxes or government support that can offset the very simple fact that the government has created this artificial shortage of buildable lands.
Mass shootings, suicides and school security are big concerns in our communities. When it comes to guns, how do you balance safety with constitutional rights?
Senn: We must pass sensible gun laws that protect our communities. Requiring safe storage, background checks, age requirements at 21 and training are all sensible laws that do not infringe on someone’s right to own a gun. With rights come responsibilities.
Cruickshank: Myself and tens of thousands of highly-trained veterans are returning home to our communities every year. We have the training and discipline along with the education to make great teachers, public employees, and security in our public spaces. Potential shooters should be deterred by highly trained, experienced, armed, and educated staff who are protecting our schools and work spaces. I would offer additional funding for any public staff that chooses to be trained with frequent safe gun handling updates to keep our students safe in our public schools.
