An established democratic state representative and a libertarian with experience outside Washington give voters two very difference options this election. Representative TimmOrmsby squares off against Paul Delaney for the second state rep seat in district three, Spokane’s core.
Ormsby and Delaney are philosophically different candidates, but do have similarities in their personal lives. Both are married with kids, and both have worked manual labor. Ormsby has 35 years experience in construction, primarily as a concrete finisher, and Delaney operated heavy equipment in Oregon for 15 years before his current job, driving truck in Alaska.
In government work, Ormsby has 11 years experience as a state representative. He currently sits on three committees, including the Appropriations Committee which he vice chairs. That may explain his main priority if re-elected: creating an equitable state budget.
Timm Ormsby: “Spokane’s 3rd legislative district is the lowest income by four of the five measurements that Washington state uses. We need to be able to write a budget that protects the interests of our constituents in education, early learning, higher education, services for the elderly, for youngsters for folks with chemical dependency and mental health issues.”
His challenger this year, Paul Delaney, ran unsuccessfully for state house in Oregon twice, but was elected in 2007 to city council in Willamina, Oregon, southwest of Portland. He disagrees with the budget priorities of democrats, and says republicans cave to them. That’s why he takes a libertarian approach.
Delaney: “I’m just tired of the way our government’s going… by the tax money that’s going out, and we’re not getting the bang for our bucks with the tax money.”
He says if elected, he will go through laws and try to get rid of those he thinks are unnecessary, and he says government is too restrictive. That’s also his view on the McCleary decision by the state Supreme Court. Delaney says he doesn’t believe in the court’s decision, which he says will put money toward education but take away from other areas of the budget. He does provide one idea for funding schools.
Delaney: “One area I’d look at in our education system is the administrative level, and how many duplicate administrators we have. The administrative level could be narrowed down… and I’d like to open up to more home schooling, and charter schools, and stuff like that.”
Ormsby fully admits the legislature hasn’t met it’s obligation to fund education, but says there’s no way budget cuts alone will fund it. The estimate for how much money still needs to go to education is between $2.5 billoin and $4 billion dollars. He says the state needs tax reform.
Ormsby:] "I think we need to have an honest conversation about basing the income stream to the state that’s equitable and sustainable, and that meets our constituents expectations of what state government should do so that Washington state remains a good place to live, work, and raise a family.”
On another education topic, Ormsby is supportive of plans for Spokane to get an accredited medical school. But, he says there is a lot more work to do beyond educating physicians, like boosting the number of nurses, occupational and physical therapists, and mental health practitioners.
Timm Ormsby says he is qualified for another term as state representative because of his 10-plus years of experience. But he admits he is always nervous about starting another legislative session.
Ormsby: “ Some of these things are critical to people and we need to know that what we’re doing affects peoples lives in a real substantial way, probably to a greater extent than folks realize.”
Delaney says he is running because he wants to stand up for people’s rights.
Delaney: “I’m just a normal person running for office and that’s the way I think it should be, normal people running for office and not being a career politician.”
He says what is best in the eyes of the people is what is best for the government.
Copyright 2014 Spokane Public Radio
