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Elect Leslie Bloss for State House Rep, 36th District

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Washington Policy Center has a Great Article on Citizens' Guide to Initiative 985
by Leslie Bloss

I have frequently written posts about the Washington Policy Center's work. I get a copy of their newsletter and in the latest one their article on Citizen's Guide to Initiative 985 particularly interests me--traffic congestion has been a big issue for me in my campaign for State House Rep. in the 36th District.

This Initiative is Tim Eyman's work "Reduce Traffic Congestion Act of 2008." "It is an effort to implement some of the recommendations made in a recent performance audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO)." I have not always been in favor of Tim Eyman's initiatives, but in this case I am.

Washington voter's really do not want a State Income Tax!
by Leslie Bloss

The Washington Policy Center has a new booklet out and there is a very interesting chapter on tax policy. The recommend to avoid enacting a State Income Tax "A state income tax would have a negative effect on the Washington economy. Comparisons among states show that income taxes reduce state competitiveness, add cost and complexity to the tax code, and reduce the incentive for people to work, save and invest. The absence of an income tax is one of the few clear advantages Washington’s business climate has over those of other states."

Check out the article before you vote!

Endorsed by the King County Police Officers Guild
by Leslie Bloss

I am so pleased and proud to announce that I have been endorsed by the King County Police Officers Guild

Education: Private Takeover of L.A.'s infamous Locke High
by Leslie Bloss

A friend emailed me a link to an article in the IBDeditorials.com, entitled "The Toughest Test?" It is about how the Alain Leroy Locke High School in the Watts area of Los Angeles has now been taken over by Green Dot Public Schools (a nonprofit group that operates a dozen smaller charter schools in L.A). The have started their program this summer and the atmosphere is "orderly and few of the students are challenging the new rules."

L.A. does give some public money to charter schools and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributed some funds. "Green Dot, run by Rock-the-Vote founder Steve Barr, said that the Gateses and other reform-focused philanthropists would jump at the chance to help any public school like Locke that is trying something that works. So money is no excuse."

This may be one of those successes in schools that Olympia should take a look at.

Protest Rally, Thurs. July 24th , 3-4 on the Seattle City Hall Steps!
By Leslie Bloss

There is going to be a protest rally tomorrow on the Seattle City Hall steps regarding the proposed two-way Mercer Way Transit Plan and to show support for an elevated viaduct. Please tell your friends and show up! The City Hall is at 600 4th Avenue.

Most people I have spoken to while campaigning want to keep an elevated viaduct. They feel like it is vitally important. You can read all about the subject on No Big Dig.

If you Wonder if Washington State Needs to be more Fiscally Responsible Read This!
By Leslie Bloss

The front page of the Sunday Times had an article "How state spending rose $8B under Gregoire" by Andrew Garber. "Already, the state Senate Ways and Means Ciommittee projects a $2.7 billion shortfall when the Legislature meets in January to write the next two year budget."

When Washington has this kind of spending problem wouldn't it be nice to have the tax income from the tribal casinos that Gregoire has decided that we do not need? In The Seattle P.I. article "Tribes give big to Gregoire, avoid sharing casino cash" by Chris McGann you can see how much money the tibes have been making and it doesn't look like it was really a hardship for them to pay the taxes.

BY THE NUMBERS: INDIAN CASINOS AND COMPACT WITH STATE

Twenty-one tribes in Washington operate 27 casinos under a compact with the state. Unlike some states where the tribes and the state have agreed to share revenue, Washington state receives no tax money from Indian gambling.

Annual revenue of tribal casinos in Washington state:

2005: $1.02 BILLION

2006: $1.19 BILLION

2007: $1.34 BILLION

FROM 18,225 TO 27,300: Total number of gambling terminals allowed in Indian casinos before latest compact and then afterward.

FROM $5 TO $20: Wagering limit on certain machines before latest compact and then afterward (15% of machines).

$604,131: Contributions to state Democratic Party from tribes since 2004.

$1.6 MILLION: Contributions to Gov. Chris Gregoire's campaign from Democratic Party since 2004.

$49,000: Direct contributions from tribes to her since 2004.

Sources: Washington state; Public Disclosure Commission

Remember when you go to vote in the Primary on August 19th try to vote for someone that is fiscally responsible--in this race...that would be me!

Don't forget we are now in the "top-two" system
by Leslie Bloss

In The Seattle Times Article "Top-two system producing more party-of-one races" by Andrew Garber he explains how there are some races that will have two people in the general election of the same party. Neither party seems to be too happy about it. "Republican voters in Seattle have the right to vote for a candidate in the General Election. And that right is being taken away from them," Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz said. "Democratic voters in Eastern Washington have the right to vote for a Democrat in the general election and that right is being taken away from them."

I am in this situation. If you like my message--please tell your friends to vote for me in the primary on August 19th so that they will have a choice in the upcoming General Election.

Voter Registration
By Leslie Bloss

Voters have until July 19, 2008, to register to vote or update their registration for the August 19 Primary.

Citizens not currently registered in Washington State have until August 4, 2008, to register in-person at their local election office.

Washington has a statewide voter registration database that screens the voter rolls for duplicate registrations, felons, and deceased persons.

Citizens who have a Washington driver’s license or ID card can register to vote online at www.vote.wa.gov.

This information came from the Washington Secretary of State Website.

Leslie Bloss is endorsed by Washington State Senator Brandland

"I am happy to endorse your candidacy. It will be nice to have another legislator that understands the importance of DNA evidence. Best of luck!" State Senator Dale E. Brandland (42nd District)

ENDORSEMENT FROM SEATTLE-KING COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®--NOT
By Leslie Bloss

I received my letter from the endorsement review committee--it says:

On behalf of the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS®, we thank you for meeting with our candidate interview team. We congratulate your decision to run for election and appreciate your interest and time in discussing important issues relating to real estate and land use with our members.
The candidate ratings (numeric scale with 100 points representing the maximum or highest rating) as listed below have been approved by the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS®:

36th District, State Representative, Position 1:
Reuven Carlyle, Endorsed, Candidate Rating = 95
Leslie Bloss, Candidate Rating = 86
John Burbank, Candidate Rating = 69

While the interview team did not recommend an endorsement for your campaign, the decision was reached only after considerable discussion. Your qualifications, knowledge, and the articulate manner in which you discussed the issues made a very favorable impression.

Reading the last paragraph and since I am a REALTOR®, I assume my coming in second is based on the fact that I have raised less money and was not as well connected as Reuven.

Paid for by Friends for Leslie Bloss