The Mirror is providing an opportunity for District 30 state representative candidates to speak to readers in their own words by answering questions related to Federal Way voters.
Candidates Katrina Asay and Carol Gregory answer the following question: Name at least one issue or problem specific to District 30, and explain how you will fix the problem in Olympia.
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Katrina Asay
I believe the most pressing issue specific to the 30th District is the inequity in the funding of the Federal Way schools compared to the other school districts in the state. Because of the lack of appropriate funding, the Federal Way School District and our children are at a disadvantage. Proper education is the foundation for good jobs and the quality of life all of our children deserve. In spite of the differential in funding, Federal Way schools continue to improve and excel above a lot of other school districts in many areas. Just think what they could do with the proper funding. Good, basic education and the opportunity to complete higher education is the first half of the equation. The second part of the equation is having good, stable jobs available in the 30th District to support the quality of life that each of us desires. With the economy so fragile and recovery beyond the horizon, businesses need to be respected as the partners they are in our communities and be encouraged to prosper instead of being deterred by burdensome regulations. Private sector job growth is the only way to get our people back to work and ensure job security within our families and our communities. As your legislator, I will fight to ensure fair and equitable funding for our schools and work to ensure that policies are in place at the state level that encourage economic development and create high quality jobs in our communities.
Fast facts: Asay, a Republican, has served as mayor of Milton for seven years.
Website: www.votekatrinaasay.com
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Carol Gregory
We are in the middle of implementing a project that will make it easier for people moving between Highway 18, Interstate 5 and State Route 161. However, too many of these projects have cost overruns or become delayed. The project will need strong leadership and oversight from our local legislators to make sure it continues to be on-time and on budget. New electronic weigh-in motion stations will be put in place for truckers, and we need to ensure they work properly. Lastly, we need to make sure stormwater detention ponds actually protect the 22 wetlands that could be affected by the project. I worked on ensuring that projects were on time and on budget while serving in the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office, and I’m excited about the potential opportunity of overseeing this project to make sure it’s managed well and finished on time.
Fast facts: Gregory, a Democrat, first ran for the state House in 2008 against Skip Priest.
Website: www.friendsofcarolgregory.com
