Lisa Brown
Party: Democrat
Age: 47
Personal: Single, one child, born in Illinois, came to Spokane in 1981. Member of Friends of Centennial Trail, soccer mom.
Education: High school, 1974; bachelor's degree, University of Illnois, 1978; master's degree and doctoral degree in economics, University of Colorado, 1986.
Professional: Assistant and associate professor of economics at Eastern Washington University, 1981-2001. Associate professor in organizational leadership, Gonzaga University, 2001-present.
Political: Two terms in House from Third District, 1992-1996; two terms in Senate, 1996-present, Chair of Senate Energy, Technology and Telecommunications Committee, 1999-2000; Chair of Senate Ways and Means Committee, 2001-2002; Senate minority leader, 2003-present.
Key issues: One is clearly affordable health care, and supporting health care economy. Key providers are not being compensated adequately. So many people are uninsured, and hospitals provide care for uninsured. Opposes premiums being charged to families on Basic Health plan. Goal should be to get health coverage for all children in Washington. Health care is a significant issue for Spokane-area economy. Part of it can be addressed at state level. Mental health funding is connected to health issue. A second key issue is education, in particular higher education. Universities are turning away qualified students. We need to make more investments there. K-12 testing should be revised to allow alternatives to students who are not good test takers. Special education needs more state funding. State should fund learning assistance program to low-income schools. A third issue is economic development for the region. One key is sufficient higher ed opportunities, and development of Riverpoint campus is a good way. The state should implement tax-increment financing so Spokane can compete with neighboring Idaho.
Money raised/spent: $136,000 raised; $90,100 spent
Top contributors: Washington Teamsters, $1,350; Pacific Northwest Carpenters, $1,350; DAA Northwest, $1,350; Molina Health Care Inc., $1,300; Safeco Corp., $1,000; Avista Corp., $1,100; Washington Education Association, $1,100.
Quote: I've been able to develop real expertise on the state budget and legislative process, so I can really get things done for Spokane, especially as the leader of the Senate Democrats. I'm in a position to really to make a difference.
Key influence: Martin Luther King Jr.
Favorite book: "Love in the Time of Cholera," by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
First priority if elected: I want to address the mental health care crisis, possibly by preventing health-care insurers from excluding mental health treatment.
Website: www.votelisabrown.org
Email: brown_li@leg.wa.gov
