I am immensely grateful for the endorsement of the 36th District Democratic Party, with 74.4 percent of the vote. It is rare to achieve such a strong endorsement in such a heavily contested race with such a large turnout. If I'm fortunate enough to be elected to this position, I will represent the entire district (supporters and non-supporters, alike).

Speaking of which, every day while I am out doorbelling people tell me their fears about our economy. While we in Washington State can't do much about the complex shell game of sub-prime loans and made-up assets with plummeting values, we can work in our state to cushion the effects of the recession.

Here are two policies for us to work on immediately in the Legislature:

- The first thing you lose after a job is your health coverage. And then if you get ill, bankruptcy sits outside your door.

We should immediately expand the subsidized health coverage of the Basic Health Plan. We should open up the Basic Health Plan to provide health coverage to all who lose their jobs. We should also replace the income ceiling on participation in the Basic Health Plan with a sliding scale. By closing an $800 million tax loophole that enables companies to escape paying taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains, we could pay for this expansion.

- Our state can also take the lead on "own-to-rent" legislation. This would enable a family unable to keep up with mortgage payments to convert from ownership to a long-term rental. They would be able to remain in their home. The mechanism also creates a stream of rents for the mortgage bank, which may be more promising than assuming ownership of thousands of delinquent mortgages. This policy would entail no public expenditures. In fact, it could save public funds by creating financial stability for people who would otherwise be on the street.

Not everything is decided in Washington, D.C. and on Wall Street. It is up to us to build a fair and equitable society for the citizens of our state.

John Burbank

Candidate

State Representative

36th Legislative District

Position 1, Democrat