Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, highlighted her refusal to play “party politics” and her commitment to local priorities, including support for small businesses and the middle class, at a recent forum hosted by the Woodland Chamber of Commerce.
The Third District congressional representative rarely mentioned her debate with Republican challenger Joe Kent (R-Yacolt), instead highlighting her legislative efforts.
Gluesenkamp Perez is running for a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives in the Nov. 5 general election. During the forum on Tuesday, Oct. 15, she emphasized her bipartisan approach, positioning herself as a representative dedicated to local priorities rather than the Democratic Party’s. The representative highlighted her commitment to creating a level playing field for small businesses and strengthening the middle class as two of her primary goals.
During the forum, Gluesenkamp Perez criticized several regulations she said were detrimental to small businesses and the American workforce. She argued that many regulations are disconnected from the realities of small and rural businesses, making it harder for the middle class to thrive. She said federal boards that make decisions for businesses, including the Federal Trade Commission, do not have enough members with hands-on experience.
“...How many don’t have a Ph.D? Because all the mechanics I know look at a headlight assembly and tell you where we used to replace a light bulb for $3. Now you have to do the whole assembly for $700, and it’s nickel and diming the American middle class out of existence,” she said.
Gluesenkamp Perez also shared an example of how regulatory procedures have impacted at-home daycare facilities. She mentioned a Washington state daycare owner who wasn’t allowed to peel a banana or orange as it was considered "food prep" — requiring six additional sinks to comply with the law. She intends to introduce legislation to address these restrictions, which she believes contribute to the shortage of childcare options. Gluesenkamp Perez noted that Skamania County has only one licensed facility.
“We have got to unwind this regulatory moat that protects big corporations with compliance lawyers for family businesses like ours. That is how we build the middle class. That's how we build economic independence,” she said.
Gluesenkamp Perez also voiced frustration with the tax system, arguing that small-business owners seeking tax credits are more likely to be audited than wealthier businesses with more complex returns and expensive lawyers. She expressed concern that those “turning wrenches and changing diapers” are targeted, while larger corporations often evade scrutiny. She called for a level playing field, where all businesses, regardless of size, follow the same rules.
“It's not good for democracy … It's not good for our business environment and … you need a really strong middle class to have the kind of successful government we've had in the past, Gluesenkamp Perez said.
Some attendees raised concerns about Washington’s transition to green energy, particularly its impact on small businesses and school districts. Woodland Public Schools Superintendent Asha Riley expressed apprehension about the state's mandate for school districts to switch to electric buses. While no deadline has been set, the bill requires this transition once the cost of operating electric buses is comparable to diesel buses.
When asked about this transition, Gluesenkamp Perez suggested that the state should focus on converting stationary equipment, such as port cranes, to electric power before prioritizing buses. She acknowledged the potential for reduced fuel costs in the long term but argued that the shift to electric vehicles is not yet practical for many businesses and schools. Gluesenkamp Perez also questioned the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The law works to reduce carbon emissions through “allowances,” which companies can purchase and trade at auctions, similar to stocks. Each year, the state reduces the amount of allowances, which raises the value and price. The funds are transferred to transportation improvement projects, including road improvements, across the state. Republican leaders have argued the law has caused gas companies to raise prices. Gluesenkamp Perez expressed that the current approach through the Climate Commitment Act is flawed.
“My view is that we’ve basically got the equation wrong,” Gluesenkamp Perez said regarding the Climate Commitment Act. “...You can’t push with a rope. The way that you would get people to transition to greener energy is by making it cheaper than fossil fuels, not by taxing fossil fuels. It shouldn’t be somebody that’s rocking a ’97 Carolla who is footing the bill for this. We’ve got to have more energy independence. We’ve got to drive down the cost of green energy to make a transition, not by sticking it to the people who have no other choice can’t go out and buy a new electric vehicle.”
Following the forum, Gluesenkamp Perez reiterated her focus on reintroducing shop classes to public schools. She stressed the importance of expanding trade programs and improving the nation's view of "the dignity and necessity of making and fixing things in America." She argued doing this should reduce consumer costs and strengthen national security by reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers.
The Woodland Chamber of Commerce hosted Joe Kent for a similar forum the previous week. Read the story at thereflector.com/stories/southern-border-federal-spending-focus-for-joe-kent-during-local-forum,363580.
