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Julia's Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything)

juliaforoffice
Oct 30
9 min read



Question from Reddit User:

Since you would have direct knowledge of the foster care system. What changes big and small can be made to improve the system so that a quarter of foster youth don't become homeless within four years of leaving the system?


Julia's Answer:

One of the things I've experienced since becoming a licensed foster parent is the wealth of resources that are available. There are so many, in fact, that it is overwhelming and that is a problem.

When a child is placed in your care, especially older kids, the first few weeks (or even months) are just spent trying to find the new normal. I found that I had to ask some of the agencies to call me back in a month so I could get my bearings.

I'm increasingly frustrated with the lack of support when foster children turn 18. In a perfect family a child is given support and opportunities and resources for 18 years, but it doesn't stop then. A good family has created a relationship with the child that makes them confident that if things get tough they can still go to their parents for advice, or help, or just support. Foster kids do not have that, and usually they haven't had 18 years of confidence building and life skill training.

We need to support programs that help to buffer the uncertainty of 18-25 or beyond. Programs like YAS that recently shut down are needed. In Olympia I will look for opportunities to support and maybe help develop programs that help cover this shortfall.



Question from Reddit User: Can you fix family law as a whole? You’d have my vote immediately


Julia's Answer:

I would like to politely refer you to the Spokane County Democrats Voter Guide:

There are some incredible judges and Danny Tarkenton running for our judicial branch of government. :)



Question from Reddit User: 

I think of a cop is convicted of a felony they should lose their pension. Do you have any thoughts on that.


Julia's Answer: 

I believe our cops should be treated like our military veterans. To that end their pension and benefits should follow the same set of rules.


If a police officer is convicted of a felony and incarcerated the benefits should stop on the 61st day until release or work-release with conditions.


If there are family considerations we already have a system in place in the military that allows for family to appeal that the pension and benefits be redirected so as not to cause undue hardship on the family and children who are not responsible for the individual who committed the felony.


The framework already exists to address these situations for our veterans, it should apply equally to police as they should be held to the same standards.



Question from Reddit User: 

Will you support an exemption for farmers from overtime rules?


Julia's Answer: 

My thoughts on overtime exemption are conflicted.


I believe that the government has a responsibility to protect workers from predatory employment, but I grew up out in the wheat fields of Deep Creek and I understand that crops don't always pay attention to a 40 hour work week. I know that increases in gas and equipment costs effect our farmers at an immediate rate, so that needs to be considered as well.


I want to talk with some farmers and find out what would be an acceptable compromise, maybe an exception during specific peak harvest and planting times. Eastern Washington, and specifically District 6, has some specific issues that need to be considered when it comes to balancing the health and safety of our workers and the real time needs of the farmers and their families.


I'm not opposed to discussing a compromise on overtime for farmers, I just don't know in full what that would look like yet.



Question from Reddit User: 

Did you receive any support from homeless or recovery services while evacuated from the fire? Also, what is your favorite coffee shop


Julia's Answer: 

My household is rather large as we have a community style living arrangement. We have a total of 6 adults and one foster teen. When we evacuated we were fortunate to find an Airbnb for the first night.


After that we did split up, some of us stayed in hotel, my husband and I took the kiddo and stayed in a friend's camper and one of our roommates did some couch hopping.


My husband and I did utilize some of the assistance that was offered through the foster system in the form of gift cards for essentials. Towards the end of our 9 days I did file for assistance through the Airbnb disaster program, but we ended up not needing to use it.


We are very fortunate that our living arrangement and financial situation is such that we were able to absorb those costs. And we are incredibly fortunate that our property was untouched.


I have tried to be a connection point for others who were not as fortunate and I am continuing to try to stay connected to resources in my area so I can share them with people who may need them.


***


Almost forgot, favorite coffee shop


It used to be the Jitterz Java on Northwest Blvd. Those 32 oz granitas could get me through a full day of college, theatre in the evening and afterparty until 2am. They closed, but the shop that took over, White Dog coffee, has a menu for my fur-baby and they've become an acceptable substitute.



Question from Reddit User: 

What is your stance on gun rights?


Julia's Answer: 

I was raised a country girl and I was taught gun safety at a young age, so that I could use a hunting rifle to get meat because we were low-income. I believe in the right of citizens to bear arms.


However, the right to bear arms should not supercede other people's right to safety.


In my opinion, I believe that this means it is the government's responsibility to create and enforce appropriate gun regulations.


Guns don't belong in school. Guns don't belong in government buildings.


However, the government does not belong in my home, telling me how to properly care for my guns.


Overall, this is a complicated issue that holds a lot of emotional impact for many people. It is a moving target that a good gun owner needs to evaluate everything around and behind it.



Question from Reddit User: 

I like all of the topics you brought up, it seems like you're running for the right reasons. I do have a couple questions for you:


If someone points a BB gun at a cop and the cop shoots them and kills them (assuming no other out of the ordinary circumstances are obvious during the investigation) what, if anything, should happen to the cop?


What, if anything, should happen to someone if they're caught consuming illegal drugs in public or private property that is not their own?


There are many much needed buildings around town that provide resources and/or temporary housing for unhoused individuals. Unfortunately sometimes there are people utilizing these resources who also engage in illegal activity around these resource buildings and cause problems for nearby businesses and residents. Do you have any ideas for how to address this and do you believe that if any future resource buildings like this are slotted to be put in a residential area that the residents within a certain vicinity should be consulted and have the right to contest the location? I realize these scenarios could entail a larger nuanced discussion, but I'm just trying to gauge where you're at on some of the more controversial things that have taken place recently. I appreciate you reaching out to the community, best of luck!


Julia's Answer: 

The BB gun question is not an easy one. That's why I took some time to consider my answer. I do want to clarify that I am not running for a judicial position, or anything within the judicial branch of government.


That being said, in this situation I would ask, did the BB gun have a fluorescent component that identified it as a BB gun? Does the officer have a history of discharging their weapon, or any other disciplinary concerns? There would be many other questions about the situation and environment and events leading up to the shooting. But I would hope that an independent review would be performed to evaluate what happened.


I don't think the cop should be instantly villainized or vindicated. I believe police officers should be held to a higher standard and face appropriate consequences and retraining when needed.


***


For the drug use question:


I support the approach that Danny Tarkenton recently cited at a gathering I attended. In short, prosecution of those types of crimes should be evaluated with an eye towards the person's history of behavior and addressing not just the crime component but also considering the contributing mental and economical factors.


For first time offenders I would like to see an attempt to use drug court options, rehab and mental health therapy. I also believe in appropriate consequences for repeat offenders.

***


Building question.


I support creating more spaces where unhoused individuals can have the benefit of a shelter-first approach with minimal to no barrier.


But I also feel these programs need to make sure that they are doing all that they reasonably can to respect the nearby businesses and residents. It's a fine line to walk.


We have seen proof that a housing-first approach has a higher success rate, but none of these programs have a 100% success rate, so there needs to be consideration for those around these places. It's a complex issue and I would create roundtable discussions to have law enforcement, residents (or neighborhood council representatives), and administrators of these programs all present to try to find appropriate solutions. I feel the placement of program buildings can not always be in places where everyone wants them, but creating opportunities for residents of an area to voice their concerns, be heard, and maybe be educated on the goals of the facility is the best way to create understanding and cooperation so we can all try to live safe and peaceful lives together.


I hope this answers your questions, and I thank you for the thought provoking conversation.



Question from Reddit User: 

Should transgender girls be allowed to play sports on girls' teams?


Julia's Answer: 

I believe that individuals going through the difficult and invasive process to transition do not do so casually and therefore we should not be casual about how we treat them. We are talking about human beings.


Science shows us that individuals who have transitioned do not have a calculable advantage over other athletes. If we're talking about children, under 18; let them play sports. Transitive care does not allow for significant changes to a person's body until they are over 18.


Initiative 638 is worded in such a way as to restrict girls, trans or assigned at birth from sports. It requires a choice of embarrassing exams or cost prohibitive and unreliable tests.


We are talking about children, let them play sports without having to submit to a visual examination of their reproductive organs.




Question from Reddit User: 

Who won the 2020 election? What happened on the morning of January 6?


Julia's Answer: 

I feel that the question of who won has been answered by agencies with far more information and access than me. Former President Biden was the certified winner of that race. I believe in our government systems and that is why I'm running for office.


I believe the incidents on January 6th were an unfortunate response to emotional behavior and frustration. A peaceful transition of power is a cornerstone of our governmental structure and individuals involved in the activities on January 6th were attempting to interfere with that.


Peaceful protest is a protected process in this country. That was not a peaceful protest. The judicial system made its decisions on that incident and I find it very alarming to have a President choose to reverse those decisions.



Question from Reddit User: 

Is Israel committing a genocide?


Julia's Answer: 

The term genocide has a very specific definition. I am not an International court, Government body or Human Rights group; therefore I am not qualified to label the current conflict specifically as a genocide.


That being said, I'm angry about the innocent people being hurt, I'm upset about our governments involvement and I, like every other American citizen, am exercising my rights to voice my opinions to my elected officials. When I become an elected official I will represent my district's views and do my best to help resolve things so no more innocent lives are lost.


Words have power, and as someone asking my district to give me power I will do my best to be conscientious about the words I use.




Question from Reddit User: 

Would you support closed cooling system data centers if they were required to pay 100% of the increase in electricity costs to offset the impact to everyone else on the grid?


Julia's Answer: 

I have been attending as many of the meetings regarding the data centers as I can. I feel that the issue of data centers and regulations regarding their impact needs to be a state-level conversation because the impact will not respect city, county, or district lines.


My knowledge of closed cooling systems is minimal, but if provided information that outlines a system that does not have a failure risk of adding more PFAS contamination to the area, I would be willing to discuss a situation like you described.


I just want to see moratoriums that give us time to get all of the facts and information.



 
 
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