In First House Race, Vandana Slatter Wants To Get Back To Work

KIKLAND, WA - In late September, Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates running in local elections. State Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-48, was appointed to the House from the Bellevue City Council at the beginning of 2017. Slatter worked through one of the state's toughest budget negotiations, and she says there's still plenty of work to do on spending.

The state still hasn't passed a capital budget, and the state Supreme Court hasn't ruled whether the Legislature's budget satisfied the McCleary decision.

Without a Republican challenger, Slatter will likely end up winning election to a full term. Libertarian Ciaran Dougherty is running for the seat; he did not respond to multiple requests from Patch to respond to our questionnaire.

Here's what Slatter told Patch:

Why did you decide to run for this seat? For incumbent candidates, what made you decide to run for reelection?

I sought appointment to the State House of Representatives in late 2016 during my time on the Bellevue City Council because I wanted to put my collaborative style and analytical mind to work to solve some of our region’s toughest challenges.

In my first full session, I have sponsored and helped pass critical legislation that will make a meaningful difference in education and healthcare for residents in the 48th District and across Washington State. I was able to add a pilot program to the transportation budget that gives eligible high school students access to free ORCA cards during the summer months. I also spearheaded a bipartisan resolution recognizing the importance of supporting the scientific community.

There is still a great deal to be done, so I am seeking to retain my seat, to continue to create opportunity and remove obstacles, so that residents, families, and businesses can build their futures here and thrive.

If you could snap your fingers and have it done, what’s one law you’d like to see passed during the next Legislative session?

Although I was proud that the Governor signed two of my bills, I sponsored two others in my first legislative session that did not pass. If I had to choose one of them, I would choose HB 1630. This bill would allow our state to do a better job protecting and serving our homeless youth as it would help our young people with the greatest need by allowing them to share their identifying information and better connect with available housing and support services.

I also sponsored HB 2225 that would require that Washington meet the environmental standards established in the Paris Climate Accord. I hope that important bills addressing climate change will become law next session.

Other bills of value to our state economy, health and environment:

It is very important that we pass the State capital (infrastructure) budget. This budget provides over 4 billion dollars to support important infrastructure, like school construction projects and is an important producer of jobs in our state. This budget passed the House on a 92 to 1 vote, which reflects wide-ranging bipartisan support, but was held up in the Senate. In addition, the state operating budget, that passed both houses, had as a major focus the funding of public education. It was funded with a revenue package that significantly increased property taxes in property rich, urban areas of the state. This option does not offer diverse or sustainable forms of funding for the long term and unfairly burdens people on the eastside, including seniors on fixed income, renters and young working families who won't be able to afford these hikes in property taxes. Therefore, a top priority will be addressing these taxes and determining a more equitable revenue stream. With continued federal attacks on women's healthcare and our healthcare system in general, I think it is imperative that our state ensures all people have access to affordable healthcare. I hope that Washington State can make progress where Washington D.C. has lapsed.

A group of media outlets is suing the Legislature to get better access to state records like text messages, emails, and calendars of lawmakers. Do you think that the Legislature should start releasing more records (such as emails and texts) to the public?

As a former Bellevue City Council Member, I have worked within the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act and am committed to transparent government. Sharing records and information with our communities via the media and other options, is vital to giving residents a better understanding of the how their government is working for them.

With that said, I hope the public would understand and acknowledge that working through the legislative process, and negotiating policy can be a complex activity. Information, from high impact discussions, can be taken out of context and damage the legislature’s ability to draft important laws. I believe we can strike the right balance between openness and transparency, while still creating conditions for lawmakers to work and negotiate effectively.

Since you live in Western Washington, can you name one thing that you really like about parts of the state east of the Cascades?

In addition to the sunshine, amazing geography, hard-working people, proud agricultural traditions (including apples, cherries and newly successful vineyards!), I appreciate the value and emphasis on hydroelectric and other renewable energy sources in Eastern Washington.

I recently visited the Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Dam, which generates power for more than 7 million people in the Pacific NW. As we strive to protect the environment, all parts of our state will be well served by investing in renewable energy, and the Rocky Reach Dam is an excellent example. I also appreciate the diversity of thought that Eastern Washington contributes to our state. Diversity is important, not only with respect to beliefs and ethnicity, but also in political opinion. Different perspectives are important when developing solutions to tough problems. I am thankful for my colleagues and their constituents in Eastern Washington, who push us to make inclusive legislation and help us understand the wide-ranging effects our decisions can have on people living across our great state.

For Democrats, why do you think it’s important for the Democrats to take control of the Senate? For Republicans, why do you think it’s important to retain control of the Senate?

I strongly encourage bipartisanship and am proud that most bills I sponsored this session had bipartisan support. That said, I believe it is important that Democrats take control of the Senate in order to pass equitable legislation that was often held up by lawmakers in the Republican-led Senate. House bills with strong progressive support and even with bipartisan support have died in the Senate. Democratic control of the Senate will allow the legislature the option to pass the current capital budget without delay, and also prioritize and pass important bills that can create a more equitable tax code, protect the health and well-being of all Washingtonians, make progress addressing climate change here at home, and improve voting rights.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Olympia?

During my time in Olympia, and when I had the chance, I enjoyed eating at the Water Street Cafe. Not only do they serve great food, the restaurant has a trendy and inviting atmosphere! I've also enjoyed Anthony's, sandwiches at Wagner's, the Dockside, and the Lemon Grass Restaurant.

What’s the important piece of business the Legislature accomplished over the 2017 session(s)?

I was proud to support a compromise budget on with a strong focus on education funding in order to fulfill the state’s paramount constitutional duty. Passing the budget required bringing together stakeholders from both sides in prolonged negotiations. I was glad to see funding go towards students in a way that bolsters Washington's education system. I was also overjoyed that we were able to pass a paid family leave law. This was another bill that had bipartisan support, and one that benefits working families by giving people more options when family members need care. As noted above, I am very excited about the implementation of a 2018 pilot program to provide students who qualify for free/reduced priced lunch with an ORCA card during the summer session in Lake Washington and Highline school districts. I worked hard to have this included in the transportation budget as it will give students limitless summer opportunities, and I am looking forward to seeing it in action.

Image via State of Washington