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| Azziem Hassan Underwood, Democrat |
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| Candidate: State Senator, District 5 |
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| Azziem Hassan Underwood |
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| Age: 40 |
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| Residence: Renton |
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| Occupation: |
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Computer operator, King County / Metro |
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| Education: |
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Studied electrical engineering, Youngstown State University; A.A. in computer programming, computer science, Griffin College |
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| Political history: |
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First run at public office; first vice chairman of 5th District Democrats; second vice chairman of King County Democrats |
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| Endorsements: |
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National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee (JAMPAC) |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.azziem.com |
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| Campaign theme: A choice for a change. |
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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 |
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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I favor a primary election that is as open as possible but also believe the major parties should have some control over nominating their candidates. |
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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 believe that we should provide more incentives for businesses to operate, especially to encourage or spur business growth in rural areas that need economic help, such as Eastern Washington -- a win-win solution that would also work to reduce traffic congestion in already crowded urban and suburban areas. |
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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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Taxes should not put homeowners out of their homes, nor should current homeowners have to pay the price for rapid growth in their neighborhoods. Businesses have long been given breaks; homeowners should be given some consideration, too. I would favor concepts such as deferring taxes until a home is sold. |
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| 5. |
What privacy legislation would you support? Would you exempt financial institutions? Why or why not? |
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No response. |
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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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No response. |
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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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No response. |
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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 response. |
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