Throughout 12 years in the state Senate, Democrat Annette Cleveland has effectively represented the 49th Legislative District while providing thoughtful leadership. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends that Cleveland be elected for another four-year term.
As always, this is merely a recommendation, designed to foster discussion and provide information. The Columbian urges voters to study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot.
In Cleveland, voters will find a senator who focuses on the needs of her district, which covers central Vancouver and other densely populated areas. She long has been a proponent of a replacement Interstate 5 Bridge and has been a leader in those efforts. She also has focused on economic and social issues of particular importance to the 49th District while typically embracing progressive policies.
It is another issue, however, that best demonstrates Cleveland’s approach. This year, she provided the swing vote in defeating a bill that would have placed a cap on rent increases. The vote drew strong criticism from progressives, but Cleveland provided a thoughtful explanation during an interview with the Editorial Board.
“It’s a basic economic principle that when you cap prices, it negatively impacts supply,” she said. She added that Washington can look at rent-control efforts in Oregon and California to develop thoughtful policies rather than embracing dogma.
Cleveland stresses that the Legislature should remain focused on the broad issues surrounding housing and homelessness rather than adopting solutions that provide temporary relief: “The state needs 1 million housing units over the next two decades. The solution is supply; we have to build more housing.” To that end, she helped pass an additional $1 billion for housing construction.
That provides a contrast with challenger Lucia Worthington, a Republican. When asked about homelessness, Worthington’s response meandered into a discussion about nutrition.
Indeed, adequate nutrition education is important for the health of a society, but it does not reflect a meaningful or forward-thinking approach to reducing homelessness in our communities.
Worthington also recommends construction of a truck bypass freeway rather than a replacement I-5 Bridge. This might be a good idea, but it still would require a new bridge, and she does not offer suggestions for which neighborhoods should be paved over in either Vancouver or Portland.
Cleveland offers more comprehensive solutions for the region’s problems, demonstrating an understanding of the issues and their complexities. She says her focus is on access to health care, jobs and education, and adds, “I want to ensure that we are not losing sight of the need to work on equity.”
Cleveland also would like to see abortion rights enshrined in the state Constitution; Worthington says she is pro-life “but I also see a case where abortion might be necessary.”
Because of her experience, thoughtful approach and policies that best represent the 49th Legislative District, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends that Annette Cleveland be reelected to the state Senate.
