The 2010 political season is down to the final feverish days. The mail only general election ballots must be sent by Tuesday.

The Reporter has been publishing a series of question and answers with 47th and 5th legislative districts candidates.

Each candidate answered four questions posed by the editorial staff.

This installment features answers from the 5th District Rep. Jay Rodne, Republican seeking State House Position No. 1. His challenger Gregory Hoover did not respond.

Stories posted earlier include Rep. Glenn Anderson, Republican and challenger David Spring, Democrat, seeking State House Position No. 2., 47th District senatorial candidates Sen. Claudia Kauffman, Democrat, and challenger Republican Joe Fain,

Rep. Geoff Simpson, Democrat, and Republican challenger Mark Hargrove seeking State House Position No. 1 and Rep. Pat Sullivan, Democrat, and Rodrigo Yanez, Repulican. for State House Position No. 2.

5th District House Position No. 1

Rep. Jay Rodne

With the mounting deficit facing the state budget, what solutions, program cuts or tax increases do you propose for the upcoming Legislative session?

• Rodne: First, we must not raise taxes because this would be devastating to struggling families and small businesses. Secondly, we must adopt a “priorities of government” approach to budgeting that would require the state to prioritize and live within its means, just like we all have to do. I support getting the state out of the liquor business and reforming our labor and industries workers compensation system by allowing competition from the private sector.

What realistically can the Legislature do to meet the mandate of fully funding schools? Is enough being done now by the Legislature?

• Rodne: We could start by enacting my colleague Glenn Anderson’s “Fund Education First” reform legislation that would require a fully funded K-12 budget be enacted into law before approving any other budget proviso. This would put strength behind our constitutional duty that prioritizes K-12 education as the state’s “paramount” duty.

Is the legislative process in Olympia functioning well or badly? If badly what can be done to repair it. If your answer is it is functioning well, describe why?

• Rodne: For the most part, I believe the process is working reasonably well. The founders designed a system that makes it difficult to pass legislation and this is for the people’s protection. I am troubled by the influence of money and special interests in the political process. I am also totally opposed to all of the negative campaigning, which I have vowed not to do. Elections need to be about the issues and not about mudslinging or personal attacks—fortunately, Mr. Hoover and I have agreed to focus on the issues and run a clean campaign.

What can the Legislature do to improve the employment outlook in this state?

• Rodne: Not raise taxes, reduce labor and industries rates and unemployment insurance rates (we have some of the highest rates in the nation and this is devastating to small businesses), reform the business and occupation tax so that only net profits are subject to the tax and not gross revenues as it is currently structured. We need to restore confidence in our economy – these measures would go a long way to restoring confidence and encouraging businesses to hire new workers.