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Paul Wagemann

State Representative, 28th LD

POVERTY ACTION surveyed candidates running for offices that have the power to affect your ability to meet your basic needs and have the opportunity to prosper.

Read below how this candidate responded to questions on Health Care, Predatory Lending, Education, Jobs, Childcare, Taxes, Racial Justice and Housing.

HEALTH CARE

Many of the benefits from the federal health care bill will not take effect until 2014, and even then the passed bill would still leave an estimated 480,000 people in the state without health insurance, including immigrants and those facing financial hardship. What will you do to make sure all Washingtonians have access to affordable healthcare?

"I support the republican ten point leadership solution to health care, with the expected outcomes that health care costs will be lower, citizens will have more choices and options, and there will be more access to health care. No matter what approach we need to balance compassion and accountability."

PREDATORY LENDING

The recent foreclosure crisis resulted from dangerous loan products combined with lack of meaningful regulation. There have been over 18,507 new foreclosure filings in Washington this year alone and it is estimated that there will be 100,000 more over the next few years. What will you do to make sure that families are able to avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes?

"Support the States Attorney Generals efforts to (1) Develop a more systematic loan work-out system to replace the intensive, individual, "hands-on" loss-mitigation approach; an (2) slow down the process of foreclosure, giving families and lenders more time to work out solutions."

EDUCATION

People with lower incomes are having a hard time accessing higher education. What would you do to provide more opportunities for people to afford to go to school?

"Reject the current administration's practice of shouldering job cuts onto higher education. Support continued access for Washington State students, and reject efforts to balance budgets by increasing numbers of out-of-state and foreign students. Support and fund Community Colleges are a great value to our community in training our workers."

JOBS

In April, the seasonally-adjusted, statewide unemployment rate was 9.3%, while African Americans were unemployed at a rate of 16.5% nationwide. What will you do to bring more jobs and ensure more equitable hiring practices in Washington?

"I support education efforts to ensure all students are job ready. Continue to press for lowering of taxes on business. It is proven that lowering of business taxes increases owners investment in the business, resulting in growth, increasing revenue and increasing jobs to all levels of workers of all races."

CHILDCARE

Studies show that the first five years of childhood learning are critical in a child’s emotional, social and cognitive development. What would you do to ensure that families with lower incomes have greater access to affordable, quality childcare?

"Data suggests that strong homes create great students. Therefore, I support any program that builds strong families and allows one parent to be in the home with their children. Unfortunately, we have single parent homes in those cases we need support agencies like the YMCA that provide effective and safe child care."

TAXES

On average, poor and low-income families in Washington pay 16% of their income in taxes, while high income families pay 4%. What changes would you propose to Washington’s tax system?

"I support taxing changes that are based on equity and economic neutrality, so the tax system is focused on raising needed revenue for core functions of government, not directing the choices and behavior of citizens. We should seek to lower the overall tax burden to promote prosperity and opportunity for the benefit of all citizens."

RACIAL JUSTICE

People of color earn lower incomes, have less access to education, health care, housing and justice, and pay a higher proportion of their income in taxes than their white counterparts. What will you do to fight institutional racism and ensure equal opportunity for all Washingtonians?

"All the civil liberties in the U.S. Constitution are God-given and therefore unalienable. These fundamental rights are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and reaffirmed in Article I of the Washington State Constitution. I will uphold and respect those rights. I will not support any legislation that does not uphold racial justice for the citizens of our state."

HOUSING

More than 250,000 households statewide have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table, and more than 30,000 households will experience homelessness this year. What would you do to make to housing more affordable for families and individuals in Washington?

"I support the Habitat for Humanity approach to affordable housing. Using this approach individuals struggling in our society have an opportunity to build equity in their housing and pride of ownership, contributing to becoming good neighbors and citizens."

* Because we are a charitable nonprofit, we are restricted from asking candidates their positions on specific pieces of legislation or policy.

* Answers are written verbatim from the candidate. Candidates were given a 50-word limit per question, or 400 words total. Some answers may be cut-off to honor the word limit.