Vickie Ybarra: In her words

What do you think of the Washington State Assessment of Student Learning being used as a graduation requirement?

I support standards in education as a means of school districts being accountable to the community and taxpayers, and as a means to help target assistance where its needed most.

It is important to note that although state testing in public schools is a federal requirement, the graduation requirement portion is an added Washington State requirement where we do have some flexibility. I do support a graduation requirement that balances high standards with adequate support to ensure students are able to meet the standards and provides alternative methods for students to demonstrate that they meet standards.

Because of the projection of the terrible impact on our students locally, as a member of the Yakima School Board I was a part of efforts starting in 2005-2006 to advocate to the legislature to postpone or change the impending 2008 graduation requirements. Those collective efforts led to a delay in implementation of the math graduation requirement and expansion of alternatives accepted as evidence of meeting standards in place of the WASL.

Although we had been fearful that in Yakima the 2008 requirement for reading/writing WASL would still result in many of our students not graduating, what we found in fact was that for a graduating class of more than 600, only 25 students failed to graduate because of the WASL requirement (and with half of those scheduled to retake the WASL in August it is still possible some will still graduate this year).

Unfortunately, many more students did not graduate due to credit deficiencies, and we still have much work to do to ensure all students are able to successfully graduate from high school.

Should state law allow gay marriage? Why or why not?

I support the steps that have been taken to date that expand legal rights such as hospital visitation, survivorship and other basic protections to all people in committed, loving relationships. These domestic partnership laws seem an appropriate and thoughtful way to find middle ground on a divisive issue that is too often used as a political distraction form real issues like improving our economy, schools, and quality of life.

What should state's role in illegal immigration be, if any?

It is important to remember that immigration control is a federal function of the Dept. of Homeland Security. I am concerned about federal border enforcement for Washington State -- we have a long international border that has proven vulnerable to immigrants wishing to do harm to Washington residents.

In this case, the role of the state should be to work with our federal delegation to ensure adequate federal resources are being devoted to border enforcement along our northern border.

Given that the Yakima County economy is particularly dependent on immigrant labor, I think it's important that we consider the local economic impact of any state action. I want to use my background in healthcare, education and community development to pursue smart policies that accomplish the shared goals of our agricultural community, advocates, and taxpayers.

What should the Legislature do to make Washington more friendly to business? Be specific.

Despite the fact the Forbes Magazine recently rated Washington State as the fifth best in the nation to do business, there is always room to improve. I would like to restructure or even eliminate the State Business and Occupation tax, a tax that is unfair to small business, unfair to new business, and unfair to business that have a great deal of revenue but very little profit (such as retail, restaurant, and many service industries).

States like Idaho have a more fair tax structure based on business profits, not overall revenue. I would like to see this type of reform.

Locally, I would like to take advantage of opportunities to bring biotechnology and clean energy jobs to Yakima through targeted tax incentives, cooperation with community college programs, and other innovative partnerships.

Tim Eyman's traffic congestion measure, Initiative 985, would cost the state about $290 million during the first two years. Do you support it? How would you replace that lost revenue?

I oppose this initiative because the money lost to state coffers and rerouted to Seattle area transportation projects will come directly out of smaller eastern Washington counties like Yakima.

Not only can't the state afford to lose the money, but we are losing OUR money, funds that should return to Yakima to help our schools, transportation system, and local economy.

Have you ever had a family member or friend who was terminally ill? Has it affected your view on end of life decisions, such as physician-assisted suicide?

Although I have not had to deal with the very difficult situation of a personal family member with a terminal illness, in my work as a registered nurse I have worked with families as they have dealt with the terminal illness of a loved one. I recognize the difficulty of these situations and the very personal nature of the decisions involved.

Although I do not personally support physician- assisted suicide and have declined the opportunity to sign the current petition circulating, I recognize that these are intensely personal decisions for the individuals and families involved, and I would not work to block the current efforts of the advocates.

Where would you cut state spending? What programs or services do you view as unnecessary?

The state constitution requires a balanced budget, and voters have approved a "Rainy Day" fund to set aside funds for an economic downturn. I will happily live within these limits, just as I have as Yakima School Board President, where we have dealt with very challenging budgets.

If it is necessary to make cuts, I will look first to programs that can be delayed, positions in government that can be eliminated or streamlined, and of course I support performance audits and other measures to reduce waste and seek greater efficiency.