State Representative, District -- 41, Position -- 1

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: January 26, 1964

Residence: 17084 SE 47th Place

Education: B.S. Engineering from U.S. Naval Academy; MBA from Miami University of Ohio

Public service and volunteer experience: 7 years as an officer in the Navy including a Persian Gulf Deployment; 1 year in the Naval Reserves; created charity program with Mariners and Make-A-Wish Foundation; youth sports coaching

Endorsements: Selected endorsements include: King County Democratic Central Committee, 41st District Democrats, King County Young Dems, Young Dems of WA, State Rep. Judy Clibborn, Democratic State Secretary Sharon Mast, Newcastle City Councilman Bill Erxleben, King County Journal Newspaper

Campaign theme: At a time when we need thoughtful collaboration and decisive action in Olympia, many of our incumbent legislators have grown complacent and are out of touch with the needs of the people they represent. As a father with three children in our public school system, I understand the urgent need to invest in and improve public education in our state to prepare our young people for success in a highly competitive world. As your legislator, I will work to properly fund education at all levels to ensure our children and grandchildren have the same opportunities for education and career that we have enjoyed. As a businessman who has created local jobs, I understand the importance of a vibrant economy to provide the tax revenue needed to fund our public services. As your legislator, I will work to improve our business climate through tax and regulatory reforms in order to attract and retain businesses, especially those that create local jobs. I am also aware that gridlock and lack of a cohesive transportation strategy are hurting our business opportunities and quality of life. I will work to improve our transportation system by consolidating the region's planning and accountability into one body. I will also work to improve government accountability by advocating audits to eliminate government waste and inefficiency. As your legislator, I will listen to your needs and will work to get things back on course.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I am less insulated and more in touch with the needs of people throughout the District. As a father with school age children and as a local businessman in mid career, I understand the urgent need to resolve our issues and will push strongly for bi-partisan collaboraion, action and results in our government. I will help lead the charge for progress and change in our state. I will bring new energy, ideas and a strong sense of accountability to Olympia.

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? My priorities include improving education at all levels, revitalizing the economy and creating good local jobs, and fixing our transportation woes. I would work to close the budget gap by (1) rigorously auditing how we're spending our money to eliminate government waste and inefficiency. (2) Increasing the tax base by working to re-vitalize the economy. (3) Considering different tax reform options that would increase the dollars available for our essential programs and services.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? Providing more funding for education is crucial. Whereas I am unhappy that our only near term option for properly funding education is to increase an already high sales tax; I have grown to accept that this is the expedient way to get vital funding. Therefore, I support this initiative. Our high sales tax, however, is regressive, bad for commerce, and contributes to a very high cost of living a in our state. Once in Olympia, I will work to reform our state tax system.

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 preferred our former blanket primary system. I do not support a "top two" primary system as I believe it could actually reduce voter choice in the General election.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I don't believe that expanding gambling in our state is the right way to increase tax revenue.

Contact

4957 Lakemont Blvd SE
Suite C-4, PMB 11
BELLEVUE, WA 98006
(425) 649-9706
lance@electlance.com

Campaign Web site:
www.electLance.com