Updated October 18, 2007 Lucy Krakowiak
Lucy Krakowiak is seeking appointment as State Representative, 34th District, which will be open if Rep. Joe McDermott is appointed State Senator. Lucy provided the information on this page. You may contact her via e-mail at lucykay@gmail.com or by telephone at 242-8378. To see other information about the appointments process, click here.
EXPERIENCED BURIEN COUNCIL MEMBER - advocating for education, human services, housing, family wage jobs and the environment.
I am seeking the position - State House of Representatives / 34th Legislative District - that will be opening soon. I ask for your support and your vote.
Along with my experience, knowledge, passion, and relationships, I reside in the southern portion of the district, providing balance and cohesiveness.
I am a Burien resident who owns and operates a small massage therapy business. I am also a Burien Council Member. I have a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. My passion for the environment was the catalyst for my initial community activism - organizing city-wide Cleansweeps. I then took my past experiences as a union retail worker and high school science teacher, and currently as a self-employed citizen, applying them to my position as a council member.
I am currently working on the critical issues of our district and region as they apply to Burien. As a council member, I have ensured and continue to support the school district at all levels including innovative restructuring of high schools and school readiness programs. I was instrumental in doubling the human services funding in Burien's budget and shifting it from a fixed amount to a percent of the operating budget. I supported the designation of Burien as an Urban Growth Center, providing for increased housing in the downtown core. I voted for mandatory apprenticeship set-asides to ensure entry-level opportunities for family wage earners. And I continue to be an advocate for our precious natural resources.
As a council member, I serve on the South County Area Transportation Board, the Public Issues Committee of the Suburban Cities Association, and King County's Growth Management Planning Council. A Trustee of the King County Library System Board, I was appointed by King County Executive Ron Sims. On behalf of Burien, I have had the privilege of working with our federal delegation, including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Congressmen Adam Smith and Jim McDermott and our state leaders, Senators and Representatives from the 34th, 33rd, 11th districts.
I ask for your support for the 34th District House seat being vacated by Representative Joe McDermott in the near future. Our district's agenda for better education, social services, family-wage earning jobs, and housing must be effectively delivered to Olympia with meaningful outcomes. I would be honored to be your representative.
Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and/or concerns.
The 34th district faces several environmental challenges. One of the most important is protecting the Puget Sound and more than 50 miles of marine shoreline of Vashon, Maury Island, West Seattle and Burien with special consideration to protecting the Puget Sound from the threat of increased mining on Maury Island. I have strongly supported the amazing restoration of the marine shoreline of Ed Munro Seahurst Park in the south end of our district. I want to see the same care and attention given to the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve, Elliot Bay and the Duwamish River.
EDUCATION
I have been a Burien Council Member for the last four years actively involved in the challenges of educating our children. I have served as council's representative on the Small Learning Communities Advisory Board. I am also actively involved in mentoring high school students that are in an innovative program (The Big Picture) that ensures graduation and prepares these students for college. We all know that early childhood learning is the foundation for success. I was instrumental in increasing funding allowing for an innovative program teaching low-income parents how to better prepare their children for kindergarten.
HEALTH CARE
There's a health care crisis in this country. More than 12% of Washingtonians are uninsured. The 34th District is home to an award winning hospital, the Highline Medical Center, with satellite clinics in the Alaska Junction and Whitecenter. I supported the future expansion of this non-profit hospital that cares for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The state has made great strides in ensuring access to health care for all children. A great deal of credit needs to be given to Eileen. I will work with Eileen to expand this program to include us all.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is one the toughest challenges the 34th District faces. Due to geography and the reliance on the West Seattle Bridge, the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Ferry System, the 34th faces unique challenges. I am on the South County Area Transportation Board. I support the Regional Transportation Investment District roads and transit ballot measure. I want to thank Dow for ensuring that the RTID package includes funds for a study of a critical Sound Transit West Seattle route and funds for roads and the South Park Bridge that will help keep the people of the 34th district moving.
FAMILY WAGE JOBS
Making sure we have roofs over our heads and food on our tables, it's imperative that we increase family wage jobs. The state recently passed a law mandating apprenticeship set-aside for public school construction projects. This year, I supported a similar policy for public works projects in the 34th district. I believe that the state plays a critical role in supporting new technologies. I am encouraged by the collaborative work done by Governor Gregoire and the Prosperity Partnership proactively identifying and stimulating the creation of much needed family wage jobs for today and the future.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
There is a huge affordable housing deficit in this region. I have met with elected officials, State Representative Mark Maloscia, Chair of the Housing Committee and King County Councilmember Dow Constantine working to find solutions to this complex problem. I am on the Association of Washington Cities Housing Policy Advisory Group. I have supported affordable housing in our district - a mixed-use project of housing and retail, a Transit Oriented Development and collaboratively working to find a solution to Lora Lake Apartments with King County and the State.
ANNEXATION
As the 34th District proceeds in the direction of annexation, we must work to ensure that all of our communities in the district have their needs met, including police, fire and emergency services. I have supported working collaboratively with North Highline, Seattle, Burien, King County and the State in finding a solution that works. Listening to the communities, assessing needs, and addressing financial impacts are imperative as we move forward.
TAXATION
Our state has one of the most regressive taxation systems in the country. Poor families - those in the bottom 20% of the income scale pay approximately 5 times as much of their earnings in taxes as do the wealthy. At the same time, middle-income families in Washington pay approximately 3 times as much as the wealthiest families. The lack of diversity in our state's tax structure means that lawmakers have few choices available when increased revenues are necessary - a critical constraint in the current fiscal situation. It's imperative that we diversify our revenue sources. Our tax system needs to be based on people's ability to pay, which means that the share of income paid in taxes should rise as income grows, not fall as it currently does.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Like our current representatives, I too support public funding for campaigns. As an elected official in the 34th District, I have been successful with my campaigns focused on contributions from constituents. I know, first hand, the challenges of funding election campaigns. Contributions of working people need to have the same leverage as those of wealthier individuals. Public campaign funding and equity are imperative for true representation of the working class.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
There is much work still to be done regarding marriage. The State Supreme Court has ruled against marriage equality for same-sex couples. In 2007, the state passed a Domestic Partner Law providing emergency protections. Some of these include rights to hospital visitation, medical decision-making, and inheritance rights. I have supported a sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination policy. I believe that anti-discrimination needs to be applied to the institution of marriage as well, ensuring marriage equality for all couples.
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