Housing and roads drive debate in Snohomish state race

The contest for Washington’s 44th State Representative seat has narrowed to a clash over how to lower costs for homeowners and renters.

The election is scheduled for Nov. 3. The district covers Snohomish, Mill Creek, Maltby, Clearview, and North Creek. Incumbent Democrat April Berg faces Republican Tonya Stadlman. Berg is the first Black woman to represent this area.

Berg’s background includes service on school boards and as a Mill Creek planning commissioner. She spent years in the aerospace industry and owns a business. In Olympia, she leads the House Finance Committee, which handles taxation policy. Stadlman has worked in multifamily housing for over 30 years. She served on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital planning committee and worked as a precinct officer.

Affordability is the central issue for both candidates. Berg proposes reforming building permits to increase housing supply. She also wants a tax on million dollar earners. This tax would remove sales tax on household items, groceries, and over the counter medicine. Berg described the change as a 10 percent decrease at the register for every family without income limits. She also plans to expand the Working Families Tax Credit.

Stadlman focuses on reducing existing taxes and using current housing stock. She wants to stop annual gas tax increases and lower the sales tax burden. Her plan includes expanding multifamily tax exemptions to older rental properties in exchange for lower rents. She also requires an audit of government spending before any new tax increases. Stadlman argued that a government which raises prices and then offers assistance creates a cycle of dependence rather than true affordability.

Transportation projects in the district also divide the two. Berg cites the Move Ahead Washington package passed in 2022. She aims to keep local projects on Highway 9 and related infrastructure on schedule and within budget. She expressed confidence in balancing community needs with current budget deficits. Stadlman prioritizes improvements to U.S. 2, State Route 9, Interstate 5, and Interstate 405. She wants stricter oversight of project costs and faster traffic signal coordination. She also wants quicker responses to road accidents. Stadlman said she will measure success by commute times and collision rates rather than just new construction.

Both candidates support changing the state business and occupation tax. This tax is based on gross receipts rather than profits. Berg is developing a margins tax proposal to alter how businesses are taxed. She is also working on a local government omnibus bill and legislation for free K 12 school meals. Both women agree that residents should keep more of their money, but they disagree on the specific methods to achieve that goal.