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2022 Election: Q&A with Brian Pruiett and Steve Tharinger by Staff The Leader, October 27, 2022

State Representative | District 24, Position 2

Brian Pruiett, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Steve Tharinger for State Representative, District 24, Position 2.

Brian Pruiett

How would you work with the Legislature to increase the housing stock for working class families in Jefferson County who can't fit into tiny homes and ADUs?

"Reform of the GMA which is biased against rural counties like Jefferson. Reduce financial fee barriers for permitting and design. Avoid another Cherry Creek-type loss of funds to increase Jeff CO viability. Include employment conditions as part of grant processes. Allow second homes on suitable acreages. Include a property tax exemption for landlords to incentivize rentals and multi-family units."

Where do you think the $800 million from the increase in projected tax collections that Gov. Inslee is proposing to spend to combat homelessness would best be put to use?

"That is a significant overestimate given trending financial conditions and our 20% inflation. It should focus on the base cause which is career qualification. That would provide enduring benefits. By banning low-barrier housing and focusing on high barrier, we'll encourage a higher level of getting clean, rather than drug choices people are inflicting on themselves, according to both social workers and Narcotics Anon members. I do not support taking more tax money from working families to give to those who do not work, unless there is documented rehab."

Where else would you like to see Washington's financial windfall spent?

"In rebate checks to workers, thus spreading out the benefit to communities. The IMF, world bankers, and Fed authorities have repeatedly warned of increased cost of all commodities in 2023, far above the inflated prices now. People need support."

The Nez Perce Tribe is claiming that chinook salmon in the Snake River have reached "quasi-extinction," and reports have shown that the energy benefits from the dams can be replaced. Do you support breaching the Snake River dams, and if so what will you do to speed this process?

"What reports are you referring to? I question the validity, especially in view of the financial harms caused by I-953 compliance. It is interesting how these questions totally avoid issues with state government fraud and waste, the $650,000,000 stolen from Employment Security, depression and suicide attempts by Jefferson County teens, the 300% increase in car theft, the 1000 additional driveaways from traffic stops, the huge increase in drug addiction, the dozens of city mayors furious at Mr. Tharinger co-sponsoring HB1054."

How can state legislators improve access to mental healthcare in Washington state?

"Building new state facilities with more capacity and capability for the most extreme needs. In many cases, local treatment is actually no-treatment. We need both mental health and drug courts with supporting systems and infrastructure. We need to focus effort on reducing harmful meth and opiate availability which social workers tell us is increasing the illness."

When you mention critical race theory, can you provide details and examples of how it is being taught in our schools?

"The parents who are complaining and commented to me have not given me permission to do so. Curriculum transparency needs to be a legislative priority. Until then you will not be able to qualitatively deal with the issue raised."

When asked if you thought that assault weapons and high-capacity magazines should be banned, you said people should have the choice to defend themselves "with any and all means necessary." Is there an upper limit for what citizens should be allowed to possess? Please explain the difference between that limit and assault weapons/high capacity magazines.

"I support the right to self-defense, and advocate for a Safe Castle Law. I support safe storage, a state mandate to make a training range available in each county for citizens, and the right for freedom of choice whether to own firearms or not. I support each citizen's right to choose what manner and type of firearm they deem necessary should they choose to own one, including modern sporting firearms."

How will you work to ensure our elections stay safe from fraud?

"Voter ID, new laws regarding validating citizenship, in-person voting with exceptions for mail-in ballots, preventing ballot forwarding. Requiring prosecution of cases verified by legal investigation and referred to the county offices."

Steve Tharinger

How would you work with the Legislature to increase the housing stock for working class families in Jefferson County who can't fit into tiny homes and ADUs?

"There are a number of projects in the works to improve workforce housing in East Jefferson County which I have been able to provide funding for in my role as chair of the House Capital Budget Committee. Seventh Haven at Seventh and Hendricks will provide 43 units plus early learning day care facility and behavioral services on site. Evans Vista, near Sims Way and the Rainer Street roundabout, will provide 150 residential units. The Tri-Area sewer project will open up a number of parcels for more affordable housing. I will continue to work in the Legislature to support projects like these to create more affordable housing.

Where do you think the $800 million from the increase in projected tax collections that Gov. Inslee is proposing to spend to combat homelessness would best be put to use?

"Additional dollars should be spent on the full spectrum of housing needs from shelters to tiny homes to owner built housing to permanent supportive housing plus the infrastructure to connect housing. Rent assistance is another area to be looked at to help renters and landlords maintain housing stock. Staffing is a challenge for everyone , daycare, hospitals, behavioral health etc., so using additional dollars to retain and attract additional people is much needed.

The Nez Perce Tribe is claiming that chinook salmon in the Snake River have reached "quasi-extinction," and reports have shown that the energy benefits from the dams can be replaced. Do you support breaching the Snake River dams, and if so what will you do to speed this process?

The Governor and Senator Murray have suggested further study on mitigating the impacts of Snake River dam removal on transportation, loss of hydro power, and improved fish passage technology. The increased carbon footprint from switching to train and truck transport from barge is considerable and must be considered.

As we try to de-carbonize our state's economy by switching to more electricity, the need for the base power that hydro provides will need to be maintained. There is no question that the Snake River dams impact fish migration. There is work being done to try to improve fish passage, minimizing impacts to fish by improving turbine design and flow patterns through the dams.

How can Olympia improve access to mental healthcare in Washington state?

"Over the last three biennium the Legislature has invested operating budget dollars and capital dollars to push toward more community-based behavioral health treatment. The goal is to provide appropriate care and treatment closer to home for patients in their communities which improves access and outcomes. This effort removes civil patient placements in our state hospitals opening up space for forensic patients. The Legislature budget nearly $1 billion in this biennium to support behavioral health providers, substance abuse providers, and for crisis programs. On the capital side we were able to invest $532m in state hospitals and community facilities."

How can state lawmakers address a shortage of doctors, nurses and residency positions?

"All areas of the economy are facing capacity issues, not just healthcare. The demographic shift of retiring Baby Boomers exasperated by the COVID pandemic will require time and effort to adjust from. The Legislature has increased the funding for residencies in the state, some of which are here on the Peninsula. We also have created a teaching hospital at WSU in Spokane and are building a Behavioral Health teaching hospital at UW to increase the capacity for training more healthcare professionals.

Locally, we were able to provide $600K from the Legislature in partnership with Olympic Medical Center and Jefferson Healthcare for Peninsula College to fund scholarships for Medical Assistant training."

What do you believe is the best way forward for rural economies as they shift away from extractive industries?

"The key to economic development in rural areas is to focus on enhancing inherent strengths. For the 24th District that is our ports, the ability to grow timber in a environmentally sustainable way, tourism based on our natural beauty, and quality of life to attract workers who can work remotely. As chair of the Capital Budget in the house I have been working to get funding for improving port infrastructure, investing in parks, fish hatcheries, and trails, also making investments in improving our broadband capacity on the Peninsula.

With 2023 marking the start of the compliance period for the Climate Commitment Act, how can Washington state and Jefferson County in particular reduce emissions over the coming years?

"The Climate Commitment Act is moving the state to a reduced carbon economy through a cap and invest program, making the largest emitters either reduce their emissions or purchase carbon allowances. The revenue from the program needs to be spent on reducing the state's carbon footprint, which means focusing investments on transportation and buildings. In Jefferson County, additional investments in EV charging stations and working to converting homes to more energy-efficient heating and cooling system like heat pumps, better building weatherization."