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July 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm #595649
Nils2ParticipantJoe Fitzgibbon came by doorbelling the other day, and he was generous to a fault with his time as we (WSB user Julie and I) grilled him about various issues. The least I can do for him in return is to summarize some of his answers to our questions. Keep in mind, of course, that I am very likely to have summarized some of his positions badly, and he would probably rephrase almost everything I have written. :-)
Education
* On how to improve education: money.
* On where to get the money: taxes, elimination or reduction of wasteful spending (see below), and federal Race To The Top money.
* On whether he supports Race To The Top policies: right direction, but they go too far.
* On what “accountability measures” he would support in education: he was vague.
* On whether he would support an aggressive state RTTP application that teachers unions opposed: no, but he thought it unlikely that Gregoire would submit such an application.
Taxes and Spending
* On how he plans to raise taxes as a state legislator: use his position to convince voters to raise taxes on themselves.
* On I-1098: a great leap forward.
* On what constitutes wasteful spending: tax breaks and loopholes for agricultural and financial companies, and various other companies, though he admits this totals only tens of millions of dollars.
* On what taxes he would support lowering or eliminating: B&O, for both small and large companies. Shunt “various” taxes to income taxes.
* On regressive consumption taxes versus volatile income taxes: it’s a balancing act, but we’re unbalanced right now.
Election Reform
* On alternative voting systems, like IRV: doesn’t know much about them, but not necessarily opposed.
* On money in politics: initiative system has been corrupted by big money, and needs mending.
Greenness
* On the environment: increase taxes on polluters to pay for stormwater runoff pollution clean-up, pass Clean Water Act of 2010.
* On transportation: shift transportation funds from roads to transit, bicycling, and walking infrastructure.
Religion
* On whether religion has a place in public policy: no.
Overall, I was impressed by his responses and demeanor. Julie concurred.
July 21, 2010 at 8:19 pm #699644
CarsonParticipantJoe seems like a nice enough kid. One question I would have asked him. Have you ever had a private sector job, you know, in the real world? (this question was stolen from Hooper, by me, but I am wondering as well)
July 21, 2010 at 8:58 pm #699645
Nils2ParticipantI don’t see any private sector jobs mentioned in his Municipal League questionnaire (@ munileague.org); he only mentions being a legislative intern and assistant. I’m sure info@joefitzgibbon.com would be glad to answer that for you, though.
July 21, 2010 at 9:03 pm #699646
CarsonParticipantemail sent!!! I also invited him to chime in here as well…..
July 21, 2010 at 9:13 pm #699647
DPMemberNils2:
Thanks for the post. It was informative.
It would help me, as a reader, if you also filled in the following info:
—What office is Joe running for?
—What are his key issues?
—What is Race to the Top?
—What does IRV stand for? (I know, but I suspect many people don’t.)
I’d also like to know:
—What are your key issues? (Education, I suspect. Environment? Etc.?)
—Based on what you know about all the candidates for this position so far, would you vote for this guy?
Thanks again, Nils2.
—David
July 21, 2010 at 10:20 pm #699648
Nils2ParticipantSure, David.
* Joe Fitzgibbon is running for 34th District representative, to fill Sharon Nelson’s seat. (Sharon Nelson is running unopposed to fill Joe McDermott’s Senate seat. Joe McDermott is running for County Council.) Fitzgibbon’s competitors in the race are Marcee Stone (D), Mike Heavey (D), and Geoffrey McElroy (I).
* Fitzgibbon’s website emphasizes jobs, education, the environment, and public safety. Transportation, healthcare, and government reform, are given only slightly less emphasis.
* Race To The Top (RTTT, not RTTP as I wrote above) is Obama’s investment in K-12 education. It’s what replaces No Child Left Behind. It’s a series of federal competitive grants funded by the Recovery Act.
* IRV is Instant Runoff Voting. It, and voting systems like it, have the potential to mitigate or eliminate some of the flaws with our current voting system, such as the “spoiler effect”.
* My key issues at at the state level are education reform, deficit reduction, and voting reform. (I care about many issues, but I’m trying to keep that list short!) Julie’s key issues are different; I suspect transportation and the environment would make an appearance on her list.
* Yes, based on what I know so far, Fitzgibbon is the frontrunner for my vote. I would have said that even before I met him, though. I don’t like all his policies, but I like enough of them, and I have a soft spot for wonks. (Heavey would probably be my second choice at this point, but he strikes me as a follower rather than a leader. I’m not sure Stone can say no to labor, and I’m not sure McElroy has a thorough understanding of all the issues.)
July 21, 2010 at 10:44 pm #699649
anonymeParticipantJoe came to my door a few weeks ago. I hate people coming to my door, but I’m glad I got to speak with him. He seems a very energetic and sincere young man, truly interested in hearing ideas and opinions. I like the fact that he’s going straight to the people, instead of just hitting events for photo ops. I didn’t grill him nearly as thoroughly as the OP, but he took notes on my transportation idea for West Seattle (a local, WS only shuttle).
July 22, 2010 at 3:32 am #699650
DPMemberThanks, Nils2!
I think it’d be great if Joe made an appearance on this thread, as you’ve encouraged him to.
In fact, I’d like all local politicians to see the WSB as a place where they can take the pulse of West Seattle, and perhaps to speak to some of our issues as well.
Mind you, I’m not suggesting that they try to use this as a platform for themselves, because that would be icky. But if they could use it as a kind of sounding board, I think that would be appropriate.
P.S. I’m talking about Independents and Republicans (if there be any bold enough) as well as Democrats.
July 22, 2010 at 6:42 am #699651
Joe FitzgibbonMemberCarson–thanks for your question. I have had private sector jobs including as a barista (small business), a UPS delivery guy (big business), and a camp counselor (nonprofit).
While most of my work experience since college (with the exception of my last summer as a barista) has been in legislative roles, I have worked in the private sector as well.
July 22, 2010 at 1:00 pm #699652
CarsonParticipantBravo Joe! Thanks
August 16, 2010 at 8:18 pm #699653
Tamsen SpenglerMemberIn the voters pamphet it states that Joe Fitzgibbons graduated from Evans college when actually when he was asked about it he said he only attended three courses. I am disanppointed that he posted incorrect information in the voters pamphet. I thought this information was checked out before it is printed. Makes me wonder what else he has said isn’t true?
August 16, 2010 at 8:21 pm #699654
CarsonParticipantGee Tamsen, you registered today to drop that bombshell? I don’t have a clue if you are right or wrong, just wondering who you are doing the smear job for?
August 16, 2010 at 8:28 pm #699655
KBearParticipantI just re-read the voter’s guide online. It doesn’t specifically say he GRADUATED from the Evans School of Public Affairs, but if all he took were a few courses, I’ll agree it’s misleading.
September 11, 2010 at 5:51 am #699656
BikerDudeMemberjoe needs to get a real world job on the private side. he is a state union puppet; where is he getting all the money for his campaign. we do not need a puppet representing us
September 11, 2010 at 5:47 pm #699657
JoBParticipantBikerDude…
state union puppet?
do you mean he’s pro labor?
THAT would be a change…
someone who is indebted to labor instead of big business
or the even bigger political machine…
He might actually represent workers…
I am getting all excited at just the idea of being able to pull a political string or two :))
September 12, 2010 at 6:26 am #699658
JulieMemberI think it might be quite difficult for me to find common ground with BikerDude….
September 12, 2010 at 2:52 pm #699659
anonymeParticipantWhat?!! Give workers a voice? Outrageous! What is this, the 19th century?
Puppets in government? Whoever heard of such a thing?
(In case it’s not obvious, big time sarcasm alert.)
September 12, 2010 at 2:55 pm #699660
anonymeParticipantCarson: I know your post in response to Tamsen Spengler was over a month ago, so you may already know this. He/she works/worked for the Marcee Stone campaign. Good call.
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