MARYSVILLE – Janice Huxford said it was her first candidate forum. But it looked like she might have gotten some tips from watching the recent presidential debate.
Huxford, a Republican, debated Democrat Jon Lovick at the Marysville-Tulalip chamber breakfast Sept. 30. Both are running for the 44th Legislative District spot vacated by Hans Dunshee, who is now on the Snohomish County Council.
As usual for a local event, the debate started very cordial. That is until the topic of Initiative 1433, which would raise the minimum wage in the state. Huxford is against it, while Lovick supports it.
“That’s the difference between an employer and a paid politico for thirty years,” said Huxford, who owns a business with her husband in Lake Stevens.
Lovick said he supports it because it’s the will of the people, who brought the initiative for a vote. He said the wage would go from $11 an hour to $11.50 in 2018, $12 in 2019 and $13.50 by 2020.
“Since it’s incremental it gives businesses time” to adjust, Lovick said.
He went on to say that passage would give the lowest-paid people in the state $600 more each year, and $2.5 million more added to the economy.
Part of the initiative deals with sick pay. “A healthy society is a better society,” he said.
Huxford said as a business owner she knows how much workers should be paid. “I’m concerned about being told how much” by government, she said.
Huxford said when workers love what they are doing, “They can develop and make far more” than minimum wage.
She continued that while the recession has ended in Seattle some in this area still are suffering. She said business owners know what’s best and told government: “Stay out of my business. Let me run it.”
Huxford then asked Lovick about his voting record. She said out of thousands of votes, Lovick only crossed the party line 21 times. She asked how he would vote on state income and capital gains taxes, ideas favored by many Democrats.
Lovick said he would vote against both.
Huxford opened the debate saying she and her husband are job creators with their roofing business that uses recycled materials. She said the only layoffs they’ve ever had were due to government regulations.
While it is her first run at office, Lovick has experience in the state legislature, as county sheriff and executive after a long career with the Washington State Patrol.
He said he is running for education, and people have the wrong impression that schools aren’t any good. He said he visited many schools, and, “The sky is not falling in our community.”
Huxford said she’s glad education is so important to Lovick, since in the eight years he served in Olympia he “prioritized all but education. I hope Jon is sincere,” she said, adding she’s proud that the GOP-led Senate has improved funding from $10,000 to $14,000 per student.
On other issues:
•They agree that the tolls on Interstate 405 should go away, and the rollout was a disaster. Lovick said they should become regular HOV lanes for two or more people. Driving on the shoulder to increase capacity is another option. Huxford said businesses and individuals should be asked to carpool more. She also complained that trucks can’t use the toll lane.
•Another question was: Beyond paying for basic education, what should be done for higher education and trades? Huxford said she is passionate about trades and thinks businesses should be involved early in schools. Lovick said unemployment is only 4.4 percent, and he wants to keep the economy moving by keeping good-paying jobs in the region.
•Regarding behavioral health, Lovick said more treatment facilities are needed to keep addicts and those with mental health issues out of hospitals and jails. Huxford said, “That’s almost verbatim what I said” a few days before to Lovick. “We need to find the funds for the most needy in our district,” she said.
