Questions and Issues.

Question #3: Should the state remove the 1 percent lid on property tax collections so local governments can raise enough money to keep pace with inflation? Why or why not?

No. The State of Washington has some of the highest property taxes in the country. This sometimes makes things difficult for our retired, disabled, and working families. Attempting to tax our way out of a slow economy is the wrong way to go.  Stimulating the economy, while taking tax burdens off of working families, and giving tax incentives to small businesses makes more sense.  I also support performance audits which hold agencies accountable.

Question #4: Should the state ban sugary and fatty foods from vending machines in public schools and make all grade school kids exercise at least one hour a day?

Yes, and no. While I do support encouraging and offering healthy foods, sports programs, and exercise classes in public schools, I do not like the idea of micro-managing schools from the State level. We should do what we can to encourage and guide, in order to see healthy food in vending machines, and more exercise programs available in our schools, while allowing decisions to be made locally. 

Question #5: What are two other challenges facing the state, and what would you do about them?
(A)   The WASL:  

While recommending that we implement fair and feasible assessment testing making sure accountability exists; I recommend that we terminate the WASL as a graduation requirement, and put more trust back into the hands of our teachers. I believe that the WASL is counterproductive to equipping our children for the role as citizens in today’s world. The WASL is an over-engineered program equating to a billion dollar experiment that will never be fixed.

B) The Environment:

It is important that we address environmental issues very quickly, or we will find ourselves at the affect of our own environmental neglect. Dying fish, whales, seals, major predators, and altering of the food chain caused by pollution of the land, water, and air must be addressed. Taking on the issues of our environment and environmental health is paramount to how we are, or are not, going to live in harmony with our planet.

Health coverage :

I am in favor of all children having health coverage by 2010. I will work towards the goal of finding sufficient funding in the budget to get it done. Clearly this is an embarrassing statistic for our state. Breakfast and lunch programs at schools are a start. Being pro-active is necessary. Understanding the two parent working trap, drug addiction, and a non-responsive system are a few of the challenges. No child should go hungry in our State.

Fund it. It’s about all of our futures. Giving our children a future is wise citizenry. I am a strong advocate for education. Supporting our children towards a better education equates to a better future of contributing and financially independent citizens who will not require State assistance.

Intervention in the home, pre-empting root causes before children end up in foster care is more cost affective than having to address the situation later. This is a high priority along with addressing these issues in pre-school … and related issues such as health care. Children are our future. They deserve priority consideration in our budgets.

more on the Issues: click here.

 

 

Jean Marie at the Capitol.

Personal Statement:

Dear Voters:

I champion for safer communities,
greater schools,
greener jobs, affordable heath care,
and our constitutional rights.
I will support our schools with fairer testing modalities,
a more hopeful economy,
and offer protections
for our air, land, and water.
I will fight for affordable
and accessible heath care,
incentives for small businesses,
and a responsible and responsive
government.
I will bring change that equates
to a better future for all.