Bob McLaughlin: In his words

What do you think of the Washington State Assessment of Student Learning being used as a graduation requirement?

We need to have a measuring instrument by the Federal Law of No Child Left Behind in each state. Our own teachers and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction staff put together our WASL tests, which are rigorous for students and have made us produce a better education for students. Our students showed they are rising to the challenge when nearly 85 percent of the 2008 graduating seniors passed the required WASL tests to graduate. My problem is two fold with the WASL in its present form:

1. It is very expensive with the amount of hand scoring of the tests costing the state millions of dollars each year.

2. The teachers do not have input back in sufficient ways on their own students to make adjustments where needed in the curriculum and instructional strategies. I am open to looking at technology and ways of collecting large amounts of information that can be computer scored and revising the WASL accordingly.

Should state law allow gay marriage? Why or why not?

No. The state of Washington marriage is statutorily defined as civil contract between a male and female who have reached the age of 18 and are otherwise capable. Permission may be granted for under age 18 with permission of a father, mother, or guardian. Under 17 years also requires consent from a judge. State law prohibits marriage other than a man and a woman. I support this law.

What should state's role in illegal immigration be, if any?

This is really a federal issue, but many states are beginning to take action due to problems within the states and no help being provided by the federal government. I believe it is time for our state to address the issue.

What should the Legislature do to make Washington more friendly to business? Be specific.

Small businesses account for 49 percent of Washington's non-government workforce, but Washington has one of the highest small business failure rates in the nation. We need to look at restrictive regulations and make our business climate more inviting to entrepreneurs.

Tim Eyman's traffic congestion measure, Initiative 985, would cost the state about $290 million during the first two years. Do you support it? How would you replace that lost revenue?

Parts of Tim Eyman's plan has merit as it addresses ways to immediately impact traffic congestion in the large cities.

We cannot depend on the gas tax alone to fix the transportation problems. Hybrid cars and our driving less due to gas prices will not generate the funds.

1. We need to earmark certain taxes specifically at this problem. I support moving less than 40 percent of the sales tax on new and used vehicles to the transportation fund for several decades.

2. Stop charging sales tax on transportation projects, which is mostly charging ourselves now. This alone would cover the cost of Tim Eyman's plan.

3. Dedicate half of the current and future eastside subarea equity Sound Transit surplus to high occupancy vehicle projects

4. Charge reasonable tolls on new replacement bridges.

Have you ever had a family member or friend who was terminally ill? Has it affected your view on end of life decisions, such as physician-assisted suicide?

Yes, several times I have had loved ones die of a terminal illness. I still would not support the concept of physicians assisted suicide.

Where would you cut state spending. What programs or services do you view as unnecessary?

I believe a budget needs to operate under prioritized funding. Fund the most important items first, like K-12 education, which is the paramount duty according to our state Constitution, and care of the vulnerable. We need to stop adding people to the payroll of the state. Reduce regulations on new businesses to attract them to our state. We will have to look at areas for decreasing budgets amounts to balance the budgets. I would look at areas such as the Department of Social and Health Services, other human resources, natural resources, and special appropriations for a reduction in spending to make up for the projected shortfall of nearly $2.5 billion. Adjustments could be reinstated if the economy moves in a positive direction.