Brian Blake is running for re-election as a representative for the state’s 19th District. The Daily World sent the following questions to all of the candidates for state representative. Here’s Blake’s response.
Please briefly describe your professional or personal qualifications for the job:
Chair of Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Associate of Science in Forestry at Grays Harbor College, Bachelor of Science from The Evergreen State College in Environmental Studies.
Your occupation: State Representative 19th District #2, Logger Safety Specialist for Site Response.
Some rural school districts say the funding mechanism that provided money for teacher raises will leave less money for districts to pay for the same programs they have had in the past. What, if anything, should the Legislature do about that?
While the court case has been satisfied, we have more to do regarding funding K-12 education in this state. It is my position that we are still not fully funding special education as one example. It is my hope that we address funding inequities that exist between districts while being careful to not create a McCleary II court case.
Homelessness has become a universal problem and solutions seem beyond local communities. What should the state do to address homelessness?
The solutions may be different from community to community. It is my position that we need to bring resources to help divert people and families that are at risk of becoming homeless while funding housing, etc., for the chronically homeless. It’s a complicated problem and it will take an effort from all of us in both the public and private sectors.
Rural communities struggle with a shortage of doctors. What can the state do to narrow the gap between rural and urban-area health care?
Stabilizing our local hospital financially will help, but attracting medical professionals again will take a community effort. I am committed to seeing that the Legislature plays an important role in the effort by stepping forward to keep this issue in the forefront and encouraging all of our communities to work together (committees, work task forces, etc)
