Candidates on the Issues: Josh Kerns and Ted Cummings

Thu., Sept. 17, 2020

By Rebecca White rebeccawh@spokesman.com (509) 459-5039

Spokane County Commissioner candidates Josh Kerns and Ted Cummings disagree on criminal justice issues and how the county should interact with unions, but have similar positions on at least one front: Both say the county should be willing to use county funds to assist people in need after federal money runs out. Here's where they stand on the big issues facing the county:

	Josh Kerns (Republican)	Ted Cummings (Democrat)
Should union negotiations be open public meetings?	{'id': 1, 'title': 'Josh Kerns (Republican)'} Yes. Notes that commissioners are negotiating with taxpayer dollars and says it adds another layer of transparency.	{'id': 2, 'title': 'Ted Cummings (Democrat)'} No. Says both parties need to be able to speak candidly and that opening negotiations to the public could politicize the process.
Would you ask voters for a tax increase to build a bigger jail?	{'id': 1, 'title': 'Josh Kerns (Republican)'} Possibly, but says he has not yet decided if a jail should be bigger, smaller or the same size. Says once he has the data he would put whatever proposal commissioners decide on the ballot.	{'id': 2, 'title': 'Ted Cummings (Democrat)'} No. Opposes any plan that leads to more people incarcerated. Says he would only consider a new facility if the current one becomes unsafe and it would not result in more people incarcerated.
Would you support advocating for the county to reopen, or move to Phase 3 of the Governor’s re-opening plan this fall?	{'id': 1, 'title': 'Josh Kerns (Republican)'} Possibly, if the number of new cases drop and the governor allows counties to do so.	{'id': 2, 'title': 'Ted Cummings (Democrat)'} Possibly, but only if the county health officer and governor recommends doing so.
Should county commissioners consider equity when making decisions about the criminal justice system?	{'id': 1, 'title': 'Josh Kerns (Republican)'} Yes.	{'id': 2, 'title': 'Ted Cummings (Democrat)'} Yes.
If people are still in need of support once the county’s COVID-19 aid fund expires at the end of the year, would you support additional assistance for community members using county funds?	{'id': 1, 'title': 'Josh Kerns (Republican)'} Yes.	{'id': 2, 'title': 'Ted Cummings (Democrat)'} Yes.