State Representative, District -- 41, Position -- 2

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: November 3, 2043

Residence: 8140 SE 44th

Education: BS/RN, University of Washington

Political offices held: 12 years, Mercer Island City Council; 4 years as Mayor, 1990-2002; 2 Years State Legislature, 2002-2004

Public service and volunteer experience: Park Board, Mercer Island; Arts Council, Mercer Island; Watershed Planning Committee, Growth Management Planning Bd.; Rotary International, Mercer Island

Endorsements: Wa NARAL, The Sierra Club, Wa ST Farm Bureau, Children's Campaign Fund, King County Women's Political Caucus, AFSCME AFL-CIO, WA Public Employees, Seattle-King County Association of Realtors, Firefighters, Wa. State Labor Council, Affordable Housing Council, Aerospace Machinists, 41st Leg District Democrats,
Wa Council of Police and Sheriffs, WA Conservation Voters.

Individuals: Bryan Cairns, Alan Merkle, Jim Pearman, Dan Grausz - Mercer Island Council
Ava Frisinger Issaquah Mayor
Sonny Putter, Jean Garber - Newcastle
Kathy Keolker-Wheeler, Marcie Maxwell - Renton

Campaign theme: As a past Mayor, nurse, foster parent, and Chamber director, I have made pragmatic decisions as a legislator about how to improve our education, control costs for healthcare, and to improve transportation. Working together across party lines to build concensus has been a cornerstone of my time in the legislature. Balancing the budget and growing our economy to pay for the services provided by the state is crucial. I refuse to go back to the gridlock that tied up Olympia in the past.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I have a broadbased involvement in the District. My background includes local government, regional decision making, human services, and environmental involvement. I am currently the Executive Director of the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce which gives me a good idea of the needs of small business. As a two year member of the Legislature I showed leadership in voting for a tax to fund transportation and improve prescription drug access for the elderly. My roots in the community are deep and wide.

What are your highest priorities for state government? If you had to close the projected $1 billion gap between state government revenues and expenses, how would you do it? Most of the gap is driven by case loads such as healthcare, education, and criminal justice. Cutting services has been the main way we balanced the budget in the last biennium. I will continue to make decisions that grow our economy because that is how we raise the revenue to fund those services our citizens need. I am open to closing loopholes that are no longer creating jobs and giving tax breaks to those that create jobs. I will be working with the Healthcare Committee to cut expenses in state services and control costs for healthcare insurance.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? I support this new money for education. If we want to do something for the whole system, we need new money. Although this is seen as a regressive tax, we have no short term choices before us. Investments in our early education and higher ed programs will be partnered with the K-12 programs to create a more seamless system of education. Investing in our youth is one of the most important duties of the state.

Are you happy with Washington's new primary? Are you supporting the initiative that would give Washington a "top 2" primary system that the parties oppose? I am unhappy with the change forced on us by the parties and the courts. I do support the "top 2" because it more closely reflects our blanket primary that was thrown out.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I oppose. This is not a true tax reduction initiative but is a way to expand gambling in this state into our neighborhoods. The tax decreases, if any, are minimal for individual property owners. The community impacts will be great and initiative does not allow regulation.

Contact

8140 SE 44TH
MERCER ISLAND, WA 98040
(206) 232-8941
judy@judyclibborn.com

Campaign Web site:
www.judyclibborn.com