Emily Tadlock
I am running to be your state representative Position 1 in the 41st Legislative District because we need a counterbalance in Olympia. My opponent, having held this office for over a decade, has contributed to many of the State’s challenges we are currently facing. Challenges such as rising crime, declining school enrollment and test scores, lack of affordability in everything from gas to groceries and from utilities to rent. Seattle has the smallest law enforcement staff since 1952.
I am not seeking a political career; I want common sense policies for our community. I grew up here, raised my family here and started a small business here. Having raised my children as a single mom, I know the importance of a strong community and social services that promote self-reliance.
I will prioritize public safety, excellence in our public schools, affordability and expanding economic opportunities and small business growth in the 41st Legislative District and in our State. My goal will be to achieve bipartisan solutions.
Let’s promote policies that create economic opportunity and affordability for citizens. Over regulation, over taxation, slow and laborious permitting and other bureaucratic impediments often curtail business growth and success. We can simplify taxes, permitting and regulations where possible to reduce burden on families and businesses. I would vote for govt. program audits to look for waste and inefficiencies, before proposing tax increases.
Let’s create safe communities by re-employing professional law enforcement officers and establishing units to target criminal gangs and drug dealers and getting them off the streets and in jail. And we need to provide real compassionate solutions to our drug & homelessness crisis including treatment for drug addiction, mental health services and vocational programs and a pathway to success and self-reliance where possible.
Let’s foster quality education by focusing on having children master the core topics and offering school choice and the expansion of public charter schools which have a superior track record** of meeting the needs of marginalized communities. We have an obligation to fund public schools. However, with enrollment dropping, schools closing, and test scores plummeting, parents need options. I believe we should explore expanding Public Charter Schools and allowing Education Spending Accounts as an option to improve education that meets the individual child’s needs.
My ancestors fought in the American Revolution (Lt. Samuel Pierson). Washington is worth fighting for and we need a diversity of thought in Olympia to reach the best solutions for the greatest good. I can provide a more common-sense, business minded viewpoint and if elected, I vow to make more results driven rather than agenda driven decisions.
** May 8, 2024 WA Policy Center
Link to article: https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/state-board-of-education-pushes-for-more-charter-schools-and-calls-for-equitable-funding