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Valerie Sarratt

Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • Teaching Certificate, Secondary Education, University of Alaska at Fairbanks
  • BA, Comparative Literature, American University of Paris, 1989

Professional Experience

  • Teaching Certificate, Secondary Education, University of Alaska at Fairbanks
  • BA, Comparative Literature, American University of Paris, 1989
  • English Teacher, Brewster Middle and High School, 1995-present
  • Social Studies Teacher, Chelan Middle School

Political Experience

  • Teaching Certificate, Secondary Education, University of Alaska at Fairbanks
  • BA, Comparative Literature, American University of Paris, 1989
  • English Teacher, Brewster Middle and High School, 1995-present
  • Social Studies Teacher, Chelan Middle School
  • Secretary, Okanogan County Democrats, 2017-2018
  • Candidate, Washington State House of Representatives, District 12, 2018

Other Info

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

I'm running for office because now is the time to stand up for democracy. I will sponsor and support state legislation protecting rights and protections that are being threatened at the national level. Our voting rights are currently being jeopardized; affordable quality health care is at risk for the average citizen; destructive immigration policies are depriving local growers of the workers they need; women's right to choose is under threat; and protections for clean water and air are being dismantled. I have strong skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving developed from years of public school teaching.

Policy Positions

Washington State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am a strong pro-choice supporter. I believe that women have the right to decide what happens to their bodies and their futures.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Washington's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that we can support states rights by establishing our own universal health care system in Washington state without relying solely on the federal government for this basic need.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I'm sick of the corruption we see in politics, so I support placing a sliding-scale tax on campaign contributions. We should not legitimize pay-to-play. People seeking office should be evaluated by their views on issues and personal integrity rather than allowing them to rely on advertising and promotional funding by corporations and other special interests.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No Answer

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No Answer

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No Answer

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No Answer

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No Answer

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Washington?
- No Answer

7. Other or expanded principles
- This is a difficult part of the questionnaire. I'm only given Yes/No selections, but there are bills that present specific circumstances to lawmakers. I am a practical decision-maker, so I don't want to make a broad statement about reducing regulations on the private sector if I'm facing a regulation that doesn't make sense to my district. Likewise, it depends on how access to unemployment benefits is expanded.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Washington?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No Answer

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Washington high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- I'm a teacher, so it depends on the federal education standards that are adopted. I also believe that increasing for the state education budget should be done in a careful manner which can result in positive outcomes for our students.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am a strong believer in environmental protections that ensure we all have clean air and water. I also support federal and state funding to create green jobs. It's imperative that we wean ourselves off dirty energy from foreign countries and national sources. As Washington state citizens, we can increase economic stability by developing and sustaining our own renewable resources.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I'm a gun owner and I am a strong believer in the Second Amendment. I also believe that we, as gun owners, can obtain a renewable license for gun ownership to ensure that those who own guns are adequately trained.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Washington's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- Vaccinations and other public health initiatives need to be addressed through a universal health care system. I do support individual freedoms, but I also believe that the students I teach have the right NOT to contract polio or other infectious diseases from unvaccinated peers.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Washington's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Washington's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Washington state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding the pay gap between men and women, I support equal pay for equal work.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- I support state-based universal health care. A single payer solution would provide coverage to all residents in our district, energize our economy, and save millions in taxpayer dollars that are currently spent treating uninsured people in emergency rooms. I would also improve broadband services in both rural and urban areas of our district. Broadband internet is an essential part of modern life, and our residents need access to fast, reliable cellular and internet services for education, public safety, and local economies.Finally, we must protect our local environment. Renewable energy is better for our communities and regional economies.