Paul Harris for State Legislature

Southwest Washington and the 17th District have been my home for over 30 years. I have owned and operated a business here, raised my five children here and been able to prosper here in Clark County. Unfortunately times are more challenging today. With unemployment or underemployment hovering at 16% many residents and businesses are struggling to survive.

We need new leadership with no obligations to special interest groups. It is time to make some difficult decisions. We need to stabilize and shore up our local economy. Our current state legislators in the 17th District have formed some bad habits and are having a difficult time facing reality. The budget in 2010 does not reduce spending and again increases taxes. Despite the apparent budget cuts, we are spending more money this year than we spent last year.

Jobs in the private sector have been reduced by 11% but the state work force has remained virtually unchanged. How is this possible? State legislators say their job is very difficult but they are not doing the real difficult part of the job, cutting spending! In my construction related business I was forced to let employees go that had worked with me for over 10 years. It was painfully difficult but unavoidable.

Citizens in Southwest Washington deserve accountability and prudence in these difficult economic times from our elected officials. Current legislators are beholden to their contributors and are not free to represent you. I commit as long as I am in office to remain your representative and not one to special interest.

Coming Events