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| Jeanne A. Edwards, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: State Representative, |
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| Jeanne A. Edwards |
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District 1, Position 2 |
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| Age: 72 |
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| Residence: Bothell |
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| Occupation: |
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State representative |
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| Education: |
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St. Mary's High School, Colorado Springs |
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| Political history: |
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Bothell City Council, 1992-99; Snohomish County Board of Health, 1994-99; Community Transit board, 1995-99 |
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| Endorsements: |
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Washington State Labor Council, Washington Education Association, Washington State Realtors Association |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.jeanneedwards.com |
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| Campaign theme: Because experience matters. |
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| 1. |
What is your position on the initiatives proposed on this year's November ballot? |
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I-713 - Animal trapping |
yes |
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I-722 - Property taxes |
no |
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I-728 - School district financing |
yes |
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I-729 - Charter schools |
yes |
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I-732 - Teacher raises |
yes |
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I-745 - Transportation funding |
no |
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| 2. |
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared blanket primary elections like Washington's violate political parties' constitutional rights, what form of new primary election system would you propose adopting? |
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Due to the Supreme Court case and a subsequent injunction against Washington state's blanket primary, the Legislature must find a voting mechanism that will withstand future court challenges. Legislators must make certain that the selected alternative system is as fair as possible to both aligned and independent voters. |
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| 3. |
Would you continue the trend of recent years and support tax cuts for businesses? Which ones specifically? If not, why? |
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I supported the unemployment-insurance bill that reduced the tax on employers 58 percent over the next six years. I would support further tax cuts for business if they were tied to job creation and particularly economic development in areas of the state where it is needed. |
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| 4. |
Would you support a Constitutional amendment that would allow tax breaks for homeowners but not for business or commercial property? Why or why not? |
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I am not ready to start talking tax breaks to any group until the Legislature looks at the big picture. With I-745 and I-722 in the wings, I believe the Legislature must be patient and look at the big picture in 2001. |
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| 5. |
What privacy legislation would you support? Would you exempt financial institutions? Why or why not? |
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It is critical for the Legislature to define carefully crafted parameters regarding both financial and health information. We started that work in the 2000 session. The bottom line is that personal health information should be between patient and physician. Information about banking and buying habits should be protected as well. |
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| 6. |
A commission studying transportation funding says a new financing mechanism is needed to keep Washington transportation projects on track. How would you propose financing future transportation projects? |
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I absolutely agree with the finding that new funding mechanisms are needed to build and maintain transportation projects. The commission also suggested that we need to look at the many ways current funds are spent. We may be able to re-prioritize some spending. |
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| 7. |
With some states reconsidering the death penalty, what is your position and what changes, if any, do you think are needed in Washington's law? Under what circumstances would you support a moratorium? |
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There is growing evidence that the death penalty does not work as intended. DNA comparisons have released many prisoners not only from death row, but also from prison. Evidence has not been found that the death penalty deters crime. The death penalty costs more to prisons than does life imprisonment. |
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| 8. |
A judge struck down Initiative 695's provision that would have required a public vote for all tax and fee increases. Would you support a Constitutional amendment that would require the public vote? Why or why not? |
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In our state's representative democracy people are officially elected to balance the demand for spending by the people against the available revenues. When the economy is good, elected officials can budget more for state priorities. In a downturn, the opposite is true. |
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