Two newcomers to elected office are vying to represent Spokane in Washington's Legislature.
Natasha Hill, a Democrat, is a lawyer and community activist. She's running against Republican Tony Kiepe, an insurance agent. The two are running to fill the 3rd Legislative District's House Position 1, which covers much of the city of Spokane and is being vacated by Rep. Marcus Riccelli, a Democrat who is running for state Senate.
Public safety is a big focus for Kiepe. He notes that he's been endorsed by the Spokane Police Guild and the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs. He promises to "stand up against radical bills that reward repeat offenders."
Kiepe says he supports the four statewide initiatives that will appear on the November ballot, which would repeal the state's Climate Commitment Act; repeal the capital gains tax; allow people to opt out of the long-term care act; and limit natural gas regulations. He describes the existing policies as burdensome taxes that don't deliver their intended outcomes for citizens.
"Everybody should have a decision or choice for what they want to do, what they believe in, the taxes they pay," Kiepe says.
Hill is voting against all four initiatives.
"My opponent wants to roll back taxes for the rich folks because he's worried about rich people not being as rich," Hill says.
If passed, some of the initiatives would result in lost revenue for the state government.
Kiepe says he wants to look at "every dollar being spent" and find ways to reduce government spending.
"I do not have a specific, but that's something that's got to be analyzed," Kiepe says when asked about programs he would cut.
Hill says her top priorities include lowering the costs of housing, health care and child care. She has support from local unions and prominent local Democrats.
Rent stabilization is one big area of disagreement between Hill and Kiepe.
Kiepe thinks rent stabilization is a bad idea that would force small landlords out of business and ultimately worsen the housing shortage. He criticizes recent rental reforms passed by the city of Spokane and says there needs to be consistent legislation across the state.
Hill says rent stabilization would help prevent people from being priced out.
"Allowing folks to raise rates beyond what folks can afford is just causing more folks to lose housing," Hill says. It's a "great service to our community for us to have folks who can provide landlord services and additional housing, but housing should be a human right, and our focus should be on keeping folks in their homes."
The 3rd Legislative District traditionally leans blue. Still, Kiepe says he's hopeful. He's calculated that he needs 6% of the Democrat vote to win.
"I'm getting a lot of Democrat support, when I talk to Democrats, they say, 'I've never voted for a Republican, but I'm going to vote for you, because you're sensible,'" Kiepe says. "I'm not a right-wing radical." ♦
