On the Issues - Phil Fortunato for State Senate

Empower law enforcement to fight crime and protect our communities;
Address homelessness with compassion and accountability, requiring treatment to receive public assistance.
Fight to roll back irresponsible taxes, budget increases, and expensive regulations;
Repeal the Governor’s emergency powers;
Fix our roads and bridges by funding transportation with existing revenue; and
Reduce fees and regulation to make housing more affordable.

Public Safety

Law enforcement needs to have the tools and resources to keep our communities safe. Policies from Olympia are tying their hands but I’m working with law enforcement to undo these disastrous laws so that our police can actually fight crime.

Housing & Homelessness

Our state is facing a self-imposed housing crisis. The cost to build has skyrocketed because of excessive regulations, costs of permits and fees and misguided land-use rules. Home ownership was once attainable for working families, now that dream is out of reach for too many. Addressing homelessness is a balance between compassion and tough love. The current approach of spending billions on programs and free housing that don’t require personal commitment are turning Washington into a homeless magnet. Without mandatory drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment, you are throwing good money after bad. I have put forth comprehensive plans which include shelter, treatment and work opportunities. These efforts have been blocked by the current majority. With your help we can implement real change in our state’s approach to homelessness.

Protecting our Rights

We have a constitutional right to protect ourselves and our families. Passing more laws that are ignored by criminals will not solve the problem. We already have laws on the books against murder. Words on paper do not deter people with criminal intent from doing harm. “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms. . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides,..” -Thomas Jefferson

Governor’s Emergency Powers

The emergency powers provision was put in place in the case of natural disasters such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption. The governor with the help of his party have chosen to abuse that powers and take away my right to represent you in the state Senate. I can honestly say that I have done everything within my power as a senator to try to curb his abuse, including pushing back against the endless proclamations and starting to process for the first legislative session in state history. I take my job as your senator very seriously and will continue the fight with your help next session.

Sustainable Budget

Our state has a serious spending problem. This past legislative session, the majority adopted an incredible tax-and-spend program that pushed spending beyond sustainable levels.

We had a near $15,000,000,000 surplus, but they were unwilling to give you any tax relief. I’ve fought for solutions to rein-in out of control spending, reducing property taxes for seniors, veterans, and the disabled. In addition, I’ve supported proposals to lower taxes on prepared food and clothing and give drivers a state gas-tax holiday.

I sit on the Elections and Certification Commission. There seem to be two camps when it comes to elections. Those that think everything is fine and nothing needs to be done; typically, the winners. And, those that feel the entire system is rigged against us; typically the losers. The truth is no matter what side you are on, testing the system for flaws, does not undermine voter confidence as some other members of the Commission believe. In fact, just the opposite. That is why I have pushed for legislation that would test the voter registration process and establish a unique identifier that would follow the voter from county to county. Having confidence in our election system is paramount to retaining our Republic.

Confidence in our Elections

In fact, just the opposite. That is why I have pushed for legislation that would test the voter registration process and establish a unique identifier that would follow the voter from county to county. Having confidence in our election system is paramount to retaining our Republic.

Look around and you see that our transportation system needs help. We can fund transportation with the existing taxes you already send to Olympia. The biggest cost driver of transportation is not usage, it’s inflation. However, the only ‘solutions’ coming out of Olympia have to do with taxing you for driving on a road you already paid for. By using the existing sales tax on motor vehicles to fund roads we would have a stable, inflation-linked funding source dedicated to transportation. This will solve the funding problem and reduce congestion.

Funding Transportation

Look around and you see that our transportation system needs help.

We can fund transportation with the existing taxes you already send to Olympia. The biggest cost driver of transportation is not usage, it’s inflation. However, the only ‘solutions’ coming out of Olympia have to do with taxing you for driving on a road you already paid for.

By using the existing sales tax on motor vehicles to fund roads we would have a stable, inflation-linked funding source dedicated to transportation. This will solve the funding problem and reduce congestion.