Updated October 23, 2007 Toni Lysen
Toni Lysen is seeking appointment as State Representative, 34th District, which will be open if Rep. Joe McDermott is appointed State Senator. Toni provided the information on this page. You may contact her via e-mail at tlysen@comcast.net or by telephone at 244-6611. To see other information about the appointments process, click here.
"I believe in public service, and I have spent my whole life giving voice to those who had none. You can count on me to be a dedicated, dignified and accessible legislator and to be your voice in Olympia." - Toni Lysen
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE
• Appointed to the Legislature in 2002 to complete State Rep. Erik Paulsen's term
• Liaison - Office of the CMS (Medicare) Regional Administrator
• 20 years of public service as a staffer to Congressmen Jim McDermott and Mike Lowry
• Experienced legislative policy analyst, advocate, conciliator
DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXPERIENCE
• Chair - 34th District Democrats, 2001
• 34th KCDCC Representative, treasurer, Legislative Action Chair
• Precinct Committee Officer, 18 years
• Former officer - Evergreen Democratic Women's Club
• Founding Chair 2003-04 - Current King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee
• Delegate to State Democrat Convention
ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE
• AFGE #1923 (CMS employees) Union Steward; former AFT/AFL-CIO member
• American Association of University Women
• Women's Political Caucus; NOW
• Habitat for Humanity volunteer
• National Wildlife Association
• South End Neighbors for Peace
• Former public school teacher
A SOLID DEMOCRATIC VOTE ON THE ISSUES
• TRANSPORTATION: Vashon ferry service must be fully protected. I support viaduct repair, expanded Elliot Bay water taxi, improved transit service, a comprehensive transit system.
• ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: Stop Glacier mining. I fought against Glacier in the 2002 session and will continue the fight if appointed. As an outdoor enthusiast, I respect our precious and threatened sound and mountain ecosystem and support renewable fuels, green building standards, and progressive environmental policies.
• HEALTH CARE FOR ALL: We need affordable health coverage for all state citizens, to require employers to pay into a state fund if they do not provide affordable health benefits, to protect state Medicaid/SCHIP from federal cuts and expand the Basic Health Plan.
• EDUCATION FUNDING: As a former teacher, I believe in strong public schools and reevaluation of the WASL. WA St. is 46th in the nation in class size, 42nd in the nation in spending per student, near last in teacher compensation.
• ELECTION REFORM: Public financing of campaigns is essential for to free elected officials from the ever increasing power of lobbyists.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING: It is a shame public servants cannot afford to live in Seattle. We need to preserve and increase the diminishing pool of affordable housing. I worked to prevent the Lora Lake Apartments from being demolished and encouraged Burien and King County to support Rep. Upthegrove's mediation offer about Lora Lake.
• TAX REFORM: Washington State's current tax system is unfair, inadequate, and unsustainable. It's time the legislature took on progressive tax reform beginning by disclosing and evaluating all tax exemptions.
• North Highline ANNEXATION: Voters of No. Highline will decide which city will annex their area. Pending and future state legislation must not favor one annexing city over another.
What others say ...
• "The House needs someone with Toni's legislative and policy experience. In the 2002 session, Toni asked me to advise a group of legislators concerned about Post -911 state legislation that would have given local and state police broad powers to take away citizen's privacy rights. She understands how to develop resources and find information to create solutions."
- Former State Supreme Court Justice and 34th District State Senator Phil Talmadge
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