State Representative, District -- 33, Position -- 1

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: January 14, 1952

Residence: Normandy Park

Education: BA Washington University (St Louis), MD NY Medical College, Internal Med, Cardio OHSU

Political offices held: Highline School Board member
State Representative, 33rd district

Public service and volunteer experience: PTSA member since 1989; Northwest Harvest volunteer; Wesley Homes board; Mt Rainier HS Foundation Board; Washington Council for Child Abuse and Neglect member; Highline Community College Paralegal Advisory Committee member; Washington State School Directors Legislative Committee member; Mothers Against Violence in America; Phoenix Association registrar; West Highline soccer coach and player recruiter; Normandy Park Board of Adjustments

Endorsements: Children's Campaign Fund; Firefighters; Realtors Assn; Sierra Club; Women's Pol Caucus; WA St Labor Cl; NARAL; WA Conservation Voters; WA St Nurses Assn; Natl Assn. Social Workers; WA Hospitals; SEIU; Escrow Assocation of WA; Natl Assn of Social Workers; Carpenters local 1797; OPEIU local 8; United Transportation Union; WPEA local 365; IFPTE local 17; AFSCME; Public School Employees of WA.

Campaign theme: The only medical doctor in the Legislature, I am uniquely qualified to change our health care system, making access to affordable and quality care a top priority. We need to deliver on excellent educations for all our citizens, K-12 and higher education. Our tax system is unbalanced, disproportionately taxing lower and middle income families. It is time to get past partisan gridlock and really take action, attracting and retaining jobs, improving our economy.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? I have been in public service for ten years since retiring from my medical practice. These are years of listening to people and trying to solve problems on their behalf. My educational background has helped me understand complex information so I can make decisions in my constituents' best interests. I am also deeply involved in the community, from the local high school to the community college, to food banks and businesses, so I truly know many aspects of the people I serve.

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 top priority remains listening to my constituents and ensuring access to good healthcare and good education. The state budget requires increased government efficiency, prioritizing where we want to spend our money, re-examining tax cuts to ensure that they benefit the people of this state, and restructuring our tax system, which is currently badly out of whack. Lower and middle income families are disproportionately taxed, B&O tax at times unreasonably taxes on gross rather than net, property tax is driving people from their homes. Grow our economy by attracting and retaining jobs.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? I have not endorsed the initiative, since I am concerned that raising the sales tax is not a good thing at this time although I completely acknowledge the need to better fund our public schools. I would support it if I were sure we could otherwise change our state tax structure. If the voters pass the initiative I will support it in our state budget.

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? No! I publicly supported the "Top 2" when it was considered in the Legislature and wish that that is what we had now.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? Not a good idea. There are better ways to lower the disproportionate tax burden on lower and middle income citizens than expanding gambling.

Contact

604 SW 206TH ST
SEATTLE, WA 98166
(206)795-6089
shayschualberke@qwest.net

Campaign Web site:
www.shayschualberke.org