Rep. Ormsby faces challenger Novak

With looming budget shortfalls likely to dominate debate next year in the state Legislature, incumbent Democrat Rep. Timm Ormsby says all solutions should be “on the table.”

His opponent, Republican Mike Novak, says one option should be removed from that table: tax increases.

The two men are facing off in what appears to be the most competitive of the three 3rd Legislative District seats contested in this year’s election.

That’s not to say, however, that Novak doesn’t have a significant challenge. Ormsby garnered 67 percent of the vote in the primary. Ormsby also has raised $77,000 for the race – almost five times the amount Novak has gathered.

Ormsby said all state programs will have to be considered for cuts, but that he will prioritize education, health care and job creation programs for funding. He said he would consider raising taxes only after “we’ve had an honest unvarnished conversation with the folks who are looking for resources.

“I wouldn’t sign a pledge that says that under no circumstances I wouldn’t deal with the revenue side of the equation,” he said.

Novak says he wouldn’t support any proposal to balance the budget with tax increases because people in the district can’t afford to take on a higher burden.

“I’m not going to tax these guys any more,” said Novak, who describes himself as a “blue-collar Republican.” “They’re barely getting by. I’m seeing them run out of gas on the side of the road. I almost run out of gas on the sides of the roads.”

Novak said he doesn’t have any specific state program in mind for cutting and that he will work with members of both parties to balance the budget.

“There’s people that have been there for years that are experts in that category,” Novak said.

Ormsby said he supports reopening discussion about overhauling Washington’s tax system because he feels the current structure puts more strain on the poor.

He said he doesn’t like the business and occupation tax, a tax often criticized because it’s based on an establishment’s revenue, not profits. He added that he is open to an income tax, if it’s accompanied by other tax decreases.

“It’s not a question of raising taxes. It’s a question of changing taxes and who pays for it,” Ormsby said.

Novak said the only way he could vote for an income tax is if the business and occupation tax and sales tax were eliminated.

“As it stands right now we’re already being taxed into oblivion,” Novak said.

Local governments will need to provide funding for the north Spokane freeway and light-rail corridor so that the project can be finished, Ormsby said.

“The state can’t handle the entire burden itself,” he said. “The state doesn’t have the resources given that the federal government has pretty much backed out of the transportation picture.”

Novak said money from local governments should only be used if the public votes for such a measure.

“I’d sit down with local officials, and I’d say, let’s let the public decide,” Novak said.

Both candidates agree that sex education, including information about birth control, should be taught in public schools. Novak, however, argues that evolution should not be in school curricula, while Ormsby said it should.

Ormsby said he would support a measure that would extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, “if it took into account the benefits, as well as the responsibilities.”

Novak said the gay marriage issue should go to voters.

“Let’s make it simple,” Novak said. “Put it on the ballot. Let the people decide. Majority rules.”