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| Margarita Prentice, Democrat (Incumbent) |
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| Candidate: State Senator, District 11 |
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| Margarita Prentice |
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| Age: 69 |
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| Residence: Seattle |
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| Occupation: |
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Retired, registered
nurse; state senator |
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| Education: |
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R.N., St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing, Phoenix |
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| Political history: |
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Renton School
Board member, 1986-87; state representative, 1988-92; state senator, 1993-present |
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| Endorsements: |
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Washington State Council of Police and Sheriffs, Sierra Club -- Cascade Chapter, Washington Federation of State Employees, AFL-CIO |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.margaritaprentice.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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Trusted because she's earned it! |
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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 |
no |
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I-732 - Teacher raises |
no |
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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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Our election system must be constitutional. Primary elections should be conducted similarly to the presidential primary, i.e., no registration by political party, the voter will receive the appropriate ballot. The percent requirement for minor parties should be removed. This will ensure freedom of association. |
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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've supported many business tax cuts. I support those which truly stimulate business and employment. |
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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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No to a constitutional amendment. A legislative solution is preferable, allowing for full debate. Any new tax cuts must include the homeowner. |
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| 5. |
What privacy legislation would you support? Would you exempt financial institutions? Why or why not? |
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There is no reason to exempt
financial institutions from privacy
legislation. The Legislature was
very close to a bill for financial
institutions. I oppose the Privacy
Initiative because it has not been
well-thought-out and would be unworkable. |
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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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There needs to be a permanent
revenue stream for transportation,
rather than having transportation
compete with all other needs in the
general fund. We are so far behind
in transportation funding due to the
damage done by the Whim-of-the-
Year approach that it will be many
years before the state recovers. |
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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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I am opposed to the death penalty. It does not deter crime and serves no useful purpose. It puts us in the position of being unable to extradite and try criminals due to worldwide revulsion of this practice. |
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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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No. The constitution provides for
a system of government in which
the Legislature debates and passes
legislation, the governor signs or
vetoes, and the courts rule. I believe in a constitutional form of
government that provides for protection for all. |
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