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Ron Sims: An Advocate for Major Tax Reform |
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Written On: July/August 2004 |
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Written By: by Paul Schlienz |
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Editor’s Note: This is the last in a series of articles on Washington’s gubernatorial candidates. As is AWB tradition, the Republican and Democrat candidate will be invited to a statewide televised debate at the 2004 Policy Summit on September 24 at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo.
Ron Sims is a gubernatorial candidate who has never shied away from taking controversial positions.
Despite much criticism of the project, Sims, as King County executive, has been one of the outspoken supporters of Sound Transit’s planned light rail system in the Seattle area. While most politicians avoid any association with a state income tax, Sims openly supports it.
“I’m proud to be a Democrat,” Sims told his party’s state convention in Tacoma, on June 5. “Let me assure you, here and today, that I will be honest and forthright in telling you where I stand and how I intend to approach the critical problems that face our communities.”
At the heart of Sims’ platform is a plan to increase Washington’s competitiveness through overhauling the tax system and increasing state investment in education and transportation.
Sims’ tax reform plan would substantially:
• Reduce or eliminate the state’s portion of the sales tax.
• Reduce property tax burden.
• Eliminate the B&O tax and replace it with a tax on net profits.
• Introduce a graduated state income tax.
“There are some, too, who look to the general election and fear that tax reform is a non-starter,” Sims said. “But we’re not talking about tax increases; we’re talking about fairness and building a foundation for our future. When fully understood, I believe this will appeal to a broad cross-section of this state – from businesses, which are impacted by an unfair B&O tax, to citizens who must face a regressive sales tax and an overly burdensome property tax.
“As an old fashioned Democrat, I believe that we should not be the party to cut children off of health care, allow our homeless no safety net, ignore important investments, and cede our policy debate to a watch salesman from Mukilteo.”
Other key Sims positions include support for the Growth Management Act and an emphasis on mass transit in solving the region’s traffic problems.
Sims’ campaign has been endorsed by the King County Labor Council (AFL-CIO), the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1001, the Seattle King County Building and Construction Trades (AFL-CIO), the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 32, and Washington Conservation Voters.
Sims was born in Spokane in 1948. He graduated from Central Washington State University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.
After graduating from college, Sims worked as a consumer advocate for the Washington State Attorney General and for the Federal Trade Commission. He later ran Seattle’s juvenile offender program before becoming a legislative aide in the Washington State Legislature.
After a term as board president of South East Effective Development, a Seattle neighborhood advocacy organization, Sims launched his political career. In 1985, he was elected to the King County Council. On the council, Sims became known for his work in such areas as the environment, education, the county budget and worker rights.
After King County Executive Gary Locke was elected governor, in 1996, Sims was appointed to take his place. He was easily elected to two terms as county executive.
As county executive, Sims manages the 13th largest county in the United States. King County government has a workforce of 13,000 and a budget of $3.1 billion.
Sims lives in Seattle. He is married and has three sons.
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