Submitted by REY REYNOLDS:
- Please introduce yourself for Romanian Times readers.
I’m Rey Reynolds, I am running for the State Senate seat in the 49th District. I grew up in south Chicago, one of 9 children. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Water Resources and Biology. My wife Kathie and I have been married 28 years and have raised our 6 children here in Washington.
I spent 12 years protecting the environment with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am currently a Peace Officer in Vancouver, WA and have been for about 23 years.
I am deeply involved with the Vancouver Community, by honoring our veterans, housing the homeless, protecting families against Domestic Violence, supporting our military, honoring our High School students who have heroically volunteered for service in the Armed Forces and securing jobs and services for those in need.
I ran a non-profit where we developed processes to help women caught up in abusive relationships, developed projects to involve the faith community in helping solve community problems and developing Emergency Triage protocols in case of an emergency.
- Give us, please, some detailed information of District 49.
The 49th Legislative District encompasses the City of Vancouver in Clark County. It includes the areas West of I-205 to 139th Street then south to 99th street then west along 99th street all the way to the Columbia River.
89% of the population are not people of color. About 10% are Hispanic and 1% black.
The 49th Legislative District is made up of primarily urban areas within 58.6 square miles. The population is over 134,000 and the median age of residents in the District is approximately 36.6 years of age.
- What is your platform for approaching the Washington State Budget? What are the priorities?
Washington is facing a financial crisis and the steps we take as the legislature must be responsible so that people can get back on their feet.
The Common Sense approach should govern how to manage the WA State Budget. Priority should be to spend on necessary items, like infrastructure, and set aside an amount for when you need it during a slower economy.
If the majority of the people, through their representatives, want additional services, and there are reserves, those needs can be addressed.
However, I am not in favor of tax increases to address budget deficits. I am in favor of commensurate reductions in taxes, including the B&O tax, during the declared emergency on a par with government-imposed restrictions to businesses as just compensation.
Also, I will work to reduce State Government spending to percentages equal to or below the Average Wage Growth. Taxpayers, not politicians, determine spending priorities to enhance or care for the most vulnerable.
My top priorities are:
- Protect our Constitutional freedoms.
- Safety of the 49th Citizens by prioritizing resources for law enforcement
- Incentivize Business Opportunities by reducing taxes and regulations on families and businesses.
- Continue the NET program to bring compassionate Accountability to our Houseless community.
- What is your platform to help people with disabilities?
- In light of the need for citizens with disabilities it is imperative that we have facilities which allow ID/DD citizens to integrate with the general community.
- We must expand and secure Internet services to ID/DD, Deaf, and Blind citizens to more equally integrate them into mainstream society.
- It’s fantastic that there are several local nonprofits that provide opportunities for students
- Parents of disabled children need to have more access when dealing with caregivers to better care for their children.
- What is your platform for economic development reforms?
- COVID and our response to it has devastated our economy and threatens to cause significant permanent damage . We must immediately reduce taxes for the middle class and reduce B&O taxes for small businesses. These reductions will allow struggling businesses to get back on their feet, hire more employees, and navigate through this emergency.
- Increasing regulations both during the COVID pandemic and prior to has stifled business, added unnecessary and conflicting regulations. Sixty percent of businesses that have closed during this emergency may not reopen. We must reduce regulations and administrative burdens for these businesses to reopen and prosper.
- As indicated above, I am not in favor of tax increases to address budget deficits. I am in favor of commensurate reductions in taxes, including the B&O tax, during the declared emergency on a par with government-imposed restrictions to businesses as just compensation.
- Also, I will work to reduce State Government spending to percentages equal to or below the Average Wage Growth. Taxpayers, not politicians, determine spending priorities to enhance or care for the most vulnerable.
- Small business owners have complained to me that overbearing State agencies, empowered during the emergency, have leveled increasing rules and regulations inhibiting business and costing more money to comply fearing huge fines and shutdowns.
- We need to develop relationships in our region and nationally to attract more business to Washington state. With the recent loss of BOEING, to a more friendlier business environment in South Carolina, I plan on developing relationships with multiple agencies, Economic Development councils, Ports and Washington Tourism Initiative for starters.
- What is your platform for children’s education?
COVID, again, has given us an opportunity to reimagine education and demand accountability from our School Districts. Teachers have told me they are facing increasing administrative requirements and subjected to classroom management issues from administrators that it is difficult to teach reading, writing and arithmetic at the basic level.
Parents must demand that their children have the basics to prosper in these subjects and must be allowed to enroll their children in programs which better fit their family.
- Enhance parental control over curriculum taught to their children. Oppose curriculum such as the Comprehensive Sex Educaion bill, SB 5395, which was forced through by the majority in congress, was strongly opposed by parents. We must reject R-90 and remove this curriculum from schools.
- I agree with legislation, introduced last session, HB 2933, which would allow parents the right to choose what education format is best for their child – public, private or homeschool. I would strongly support this legislation.
- How can our publication readers from Washington State be in touch with your office?
I am available at my Campaign Office:
Votereyreynolds Campaign Office
2201 Main Street; Vancouver, WA 98660
To get in touch with my office you can call or text 360-227-1860 or email me at Această adresă de email este protejată contra spambots. Trebuie să activați JavaScript pentru a o vedea.
- Do you have by chance a Romanian language speaker as a member of your team to be contacted in Romanian Language?
Yes I have known Aura Reddington, who is Romanian, for going on 35 years and she can help provide translation resources as needed. Further, we have access to a language line as needed.