Traffic-clogged freeways and sprawl continue to plague Washington State, despite past efforts and current spending. We must make rapid transit a core element of our transportation planning. Until we create transit-oriented alternatives that are faster and more convenient than the automobile, we are doomed to a future of more asphalt, loss of precious open space, and increased air and water pollution. As someone who has either taken the bus or walked to work for the past six years, I understand the needs of commuters and how important it is that transit work better for more people.

We have tough, once-in-a-lifetime issues specifically facing the 43rd District. For example, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, SR 520, and Sound Transit are all key policy issues that need strong, dedicated leadership in order to see them through. I look forward to working with the community, my fellow legislators, and the Governor to ensure that these and other core priorities have the focus they deserve.

My top environmental priorities are:

• Tackling the issue of global warming by increasing the use of renewable energy sources (such as biodiesel) and promoting dedicated, rapid transit in Seattle and the region
• Reducing the level of toxics in our environment that get into our groundwater, our atmosphere, and our bodies
• Supporting Governor Gregoire's efforts to clean up our Puget Sound
• Promoting sustainable development and livable cities in order to curb sprawl and thereby conserve valuable open space and wildlife

I have worked on behalf of Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck over the past two years to promote a more livable downtown that is attractive to families who would otherwise move out to the suburbs, increasing sprawl. By organizing a citywide public forum on the future of downtown, I was able to collaborate with key community organizations and individuals to promote the importance downtown livability.

I have worked hard to promote sustainable urban development. More specifically, I organized two citywide public forums on behalf of Councilmember Steinbrueck, one of which attracted over 350 people, to talk about such topics as key indicators of a sustainable communities and lessons learned from other countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, that have active sustainability programs. I also helped Councilmember Steinbrueck advocate for the successful passage of Senate Bill 5509, which requires publicly-funded buildings to be built using high-performance standards.

In regard to protecting Puget Sound, I am proud to have worked along side People for Puget Sound in several legislative areas, including the downtown height and density legislation and viaduct-related issues. I share their interest in creating a pedestrian-friendly accessible waterfront that connects people with the water and is designed to promote fish and wildlife habitat on our urban shore. Right now, Seattleites are disconnected from Elliott Bay because many think that our waterfront is only a tourist playground with nothing to offer the local and regional population. However, nothing could be further from the truth. By promoting a more vibrant waterfront (with the emphasis on water), we are better able to move forward on creating a cleaner Puget Sound.

My advocacy for transit in recent years has included my support for the monorail. On a personal note, up until recently I have been commuting on foot for three years. Having recently moved, I now take the bus every day. I feel if we are to create policies that encourage alternative forms of transportation, one must literally walk the walk. A firsthand understanding of that kind of commute is necessary to create transit strategies that get people out of their cars, as well as reduce their need or desire to buy second car.

Why is it that you have the hardest time getting the health care that you need when you're sick? In 1993, our legislature passed one of the most progressive health care reform packages in the country. A year or two later, when the Republicans controlled the House, most of those provisions were repealed — including the protection of those with pre-existing conditions. If elected, I want to ensure that all of our citizens, in sickness or in health, have access to quality, affordable health care.

My first priority is to provide access to healthcare for all children in our state. Secondly, we must concentrate on providing coverage for those who are most vulnerable, such as seniors and the poor. We then must make sure that those who are uninsured — or underinsured — have access to health care.

As part of my platform, I am also committed to supporting and expanding the Small Employer Health Insurance Partnership Program created by the 2006 Legislature, which is designed to assist employees of small businesses in purchasing health insurance. The Partnership program will provide a subsidy for eligible employees to offset the cost of health insurance that their employer purchases from commercial carriers. This program has the potential to be expanded in the future to cover more employees.

Not only is a women's right to choose under attack in our country, but the right wing is pushing to keep all people in the dark about their own reproductive health. This will hurt us — both today and in the future — if we don't fight to protect our right to have control over our own reproductive choices. If elected, I will fight for the following:

Birth Control. The State's Board of Pharmacy recently voted to allow a "conscience clause" for pharmacists that allows them to deny access to contraceptives, such as emergency contraception, and other drugs if a pharmacist deems them to be morally objectionable. This "conscience clause" could be better referred to as a refusal clause, and it interferes with reproductive decisions, which are best made by a woman and her doctor.

Sex Education. Ignorance is not bliss! According to a Congressional study, about 9.1 million 15-24 year olds are infected with an STD. Knowing that, schools must provide accurate, comprehensive information to the people who need it if we are ever to make a dent in our fight against AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. Young people have a right to the best and most medically accurate sex education available, and the increasingly popular "Abstinence-Only" education, advocated by some, can actively harm young people by keeping them in the dark about important medical information that could save their lives. How do we expect young people to avoid serious medical harm if we do not give them the information that they need to avoid such harm? I will fight to make sure that students are given the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Access to Abortion. With new Bush-appointed members of the Supreme Court in place, a women's right to choose is in peril. I will fight any attempts by the right wing or others to restrict access to abortion though limitations or bans. As a pro-choice Democratic woman, I will fight for a woman's right to choose.