Joseph James list of things he wants to work on..

[Waterbuffalo]

Here is what he wants to do if he is elected:

http://www.campaignsitebuilder.com/templates/displayfiles/tmpl29.asp?SiteID=1580&PageID=31531&Trial=false

[Waterbuffalo]

Added from his site:

Reform Education

Washington needs a system of education with high expectations of students. Joseph will work to

* Keep student learning the focus of education
* Expand diagnostic tests to illuminate student progress
* Provide guidance for students to assess their college and career options
* Expand education options for families
* Expand the offering of education services such as vocational training skills, Running Start, digital learning, alternative programs, and remedial tutoring
* Promote early childhood educational assistance for parents
* Hold schools and employees accountable for our investment in student learning
* Preserve transparency and parents rights in the education process
* Require demonstrable teacher quality

Improve County Transportation

Joseph will focus on a state transportation policy that focuses on highway congestion relief. Joseph will

* Prioritize and fund road projects that will reduce traffic congestion
* Prioritize and fund freight mobility projects that will maintain economic competitiveness
* Invest in a safe and efficient transportation system that is accountable to taxpayers
* Maintain Funding for the state auditor to conduct independent performance audits of transportation agencies
* Encourage the contracting out of transportation programs that can be done more efficiently by the private sector
* Create innovative ideas to reduce highway construction cost
* Work on streamlining the environmental permitting process while maintain current environmental standards and protections
* Use environmental mitigation dollars to preserve agricultural land
* Work to exempt highway construction materials and labor from sales/use taxes
* Support public/private partnerships to build transportation projects

Protect Private Property Rights

One of the issues facing Clark County is the government infringing on the rights of citizens. Joseph James supports the "Best For Washington Plan". This plan includes several issues that Joseph James will fight for.

* 1. Protecting property owners from eminent domain abuses.
* Pass a constitutional amendment clearly defining and limiting the power of eminent domain.
* Limit private property takings only for public use and prohibiting takings for economic use.
* Give previous owners a first right to re-acquire their former properties.
*

2. Preventing Critical Area Ordinance Abuses.

Require government to compensate property owners through a reduction in property taxes when land value is reduced by mandated buffers and land-use restrictions.

Joseph James will also provide new housing opportunities and protect home owners. Joseph believes we still have low and moderate-income families who rent because they cannot afford a monthly mortgage and all of the fees and taxes associated with home ownership. Joseph will vote on initiatives that will help these families purchase homes, build equity, and strengthen their families.

Joseph James will ensure that we have affordable housing and he will support the "Four for Affordability" which includes:
* Providing a tax exemption for property that has declined in value due to shoreline or growth management regulations.
* Eliminate impact fees whenever the housing is not affordable for first-time home buyers.
* Allow single family housing outside the urban growth areas where housing is not affordable for first-time home buyers.
* Eliminate state sales tax on construction labor and services where housing is not affordable for first-time home buyers.
* Joseph James will also vote for permanent property tax relief. He will do this by restoring the 1% property tax levy limit by restoring the initiative 747. He will change the burden of proof on assessment increases from taxpayers to county auditors.
* Finally he will implement a cap on yearly assessment increases. Tax relief, support for affordable housing, and the prevention of eminent domain abuses will provide security and stability for the families of the 17th District.

[Chief]

Excellent post! Well done!!

mrgrn

[Waterbuffalo]

You'll have to have a private discussion with him or his campaign manager..

Because honestly that was the WORST cut and paste job I have ever done..