State Senator, District -- 41

Party: Democrat

Date of birth: August 20, 1954

Residence: Mercer Island

Education: B.A. University of Wisconsin, 1976; J.D. University of Texas, 1981.

Public service and volunteer experience: Board of Directors, Pike Place Market Foundation
Volunteer in Schools
Y-Princess
Soccer coach

Endorsements: Governor Gary Locke, Senator Maria Cantwell, Congressman Jay Inslee, Congressman Adam Smith, and many other elected officials. Please see website: www.weinsteinforsenate.org

Sierra Club, Washington Consevation Voters, Chidren's Campaign Fund, Washington State Labor Council and many other organizations. Please see website: www.weinsteinforsenate.org

Campaign theme: A change in Leadership is long overdue in this District. This District has changed but the incumbent is still stuck in the old ideas of the 1950's. Brian is not a career politician and will shake up the partisan gridlock in Olympia. A father of 3 public school children, Brian's first priority is education.

Questions for candidates

What are the biggest differences between you and your opponent(s)? Brian obtained the highest rating of all the candidates from the Municipal League. He believes he obtained it because of his commitment, and ability, to end the partisan wrangling in Olympia. Brian believes that we have to provide all the children in this state with a world class education, and --right now--address the shortage of seats in our colleges and universities. Brian's opponent only talks about it. Brian will do something.

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? Education, from pre-school to higher education must be our first priority. Thoughtful people know that this approach is the best long term solution to balancing the budget. Every dollar we invest in quality pre-schools saves 7 dollars in social welfare and law enforcement expenditures. Brian has heard from many legislators the sad fact that every industry that is aggressive enough can hire a lobbyist and receive a tax break. This must end. Tax breaks must be revisited.

Do you support the initiative to raise the sales tax 1 penny to raise money for schools and higher education? Yes. Unfortunately Brian sees no other choice. I-884 accomplishes what Olympia has failed to do, that is, step up to the plate and adequately fund education. Olympia has already ignored the wishes of the voters when they asked for smaller class sizes and well paid teachers. Hopefully this initiative will hold Olympia's feet to the fire.

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? Happy? My happiness with the primary system is not the issue. The issues are whether the voters are happy and what the courts will say. I personally liked our old system and am disappointed the 3 parties – Republican, Libertarian and Democrat – chose to challenge it in court. If it had been up to me, I would not have challenged it. Now all we can do is see how this system works this September and whether the Initiative on the ballot passes, and if so, whether it is upheld in court.

What do you think of the initiative to expand the use of slot machines to reduce taxes? I oppose it. We should not be relying on people’s gambling habits to fund property tax relief. This would be a failure of government.

Contact

10020 Main Street #204
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 451-8758
brian@weinsteinforsenate.org

Campaign Web site:
www.weinsteinforsenate.org