Watkins is concerned for schools, students

PALOUSE — Darin Watkins is running as a Republican for election to the state House of Representatives in the Ninth District to protect education and schools.

“In the last legislative session, Rep. Don Cox, was critical in stopping a number of very bad things from happening to our schools,” he stated. “Cuts to levy equalization costing millions to our schools, closing school districts under 500 students and eliminating school superintendents.”

Watkins stated he began to wonder who would replace Cox.

“So, I volunteered. In doing so, I have visited nearly every school district and asked for school board members to be ready by the phone to be a grass roots coalition ready to help defend our schools,” he stated.

Watkins stated his 10 years working as a reporter covering legislative issues prepared him for the position.

“I am an elected school board member in Palouse,” he explained. “Currently I work for WSU. I grew up on a farm, still live on one growing grass hay and children. I served on the Whitman County Planning Commission, am a volunteer firefighter, once worked for the Idaho State Police and am a father. I know what it takes in Olympia. Trust me, it is not a place for the timid. I will be your strong voice, having listened with two ears, then speaking firmly above the din to ensure your voice is heard.”

Watkins’ goals for the position are promoting education, agriculture and attracting new jobs.

He explained getting agriculture recognized as an economic force in Washington will be a challenge.

“Half of all jobs, from the farmer in the field, to the grocery clerk, are connected to agriculture,” he stated. “It’s time to bring these groups together to campaign as a key force. Whomever is elected will be a freshman legislator from a minority party. You need a candidate, ready with legislation in hand, with a compelling voice and who is not afraid to reach across the aisle to forge meaningful legislation.”

Another challenge he expects to handle is dealing with spending cuts.

“Let’s face it, we’ve seen one of the largest state government expansions in the history of Washington,” Watkins stated. “From a $25 billion budget in 2005 to $36 billion in 2009 after the cuts were made. Priorities need to be made. Education needs to be protected. Small business given a chance to flourish.”

He stated citizens should vote for him because he is honest.

“I don’t owe lots of campaign favors,” he explained. “My campaign hasn’t been just about talking the issues. I wanted to do something. I believe the office is about more than just serving in Olympia. Following the primary, I plan to hold a ‘Save our Small Towns Economic Summit’ where city leaders will have chance to meet and work on ways to bring new customers and even a new wave of telecommuters. Microsoft workers, who work at home in Eastern Washington, for example. The only way to save our towns, is to create new jobs.”

Watkins explained it’s important to find new business opportunities benefitting agriculture.

“Once we unite agriculture as a lobbying force, we will aggressively pursue creation of new business opportunities for producers that use the products we grow,” he stated. “From bakeries to cookie plant, pancake mix to distilleries, we’ll push for the same zeal to create industry here that we did during the 1970s when people were upset over raw logs being exported then returned as finished goods. Othello’s city leaders have been a key model of how to attract and grow these kinds of producers.”

Watkins stated water drives agriculture.

“I will work to promote Rep. Chris Marr’s, D-Spokane, proposal to allow farmers to reapply for their water rights that were lost under the ‘use it or lose it’ proposition,” he explained. “Not new water rights, just recapturing the ones that were lost.”

He stated it’s important to maintain parks and promote events in Adams County to push tourism.

“It starts with keeping the promises that were made when recreational opportunities were first developed,” Watkins stated. “It means keeping parks open. It means finding ways for everyone to share the same public resources. It also means getting behind local initiatives. Just look at the success Lind has had in its annual Combine Demolition Derby Days.”

He explained his view on the state’s role for increasing natural gas pipeline capacity.

“I believe the state needs to step up and help Othello and Adams County solve its gas pipeline situation,” he stated. “A four-inch gas pipeline is no longer sufficient to support the county’s growing population and its businesses. This success story needs to be celebrated and encouraged. When it comes to infrastructure for critical utilities, the state may be the only partner that can help foster a working agreement.”

His top priority for representing Adams County concerns protecting education.

“Levy equalization alone will cost Adams County schools millions of dollars every year,” Watkins stated. “You would need to nearly double the levy amount from voters, just to break even. An impossible task in this current economic climate.”