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Michaela Kelso – Spokane, WA

Will you support funding to expand access to free school meals to all grades?

Yes.

Will you support increasing funding for senior nutrition programs?

Yes.

If elected, in what areas would you support making investments to overcome structural racism and racial inequities?

Black and Brown students to this day suffer from implicit and explicit biases. This begins with minority students being over represented in discipline statistics from preschool on. As you noted in the background, minority students also have a higher rate of food insecurity. Hungry students don’t learn well. Biases can take many forms. Schools may not have staff that represents the diversity of its student body, leading to cultural or social miscommunications. Staff may not be trained on recognizing and eliminating implicit biases, making it harder for minority students to receive the recognition they deserve, which can result in a lack of trust between students and teachers. District policies may be inadvertently punishing minority students for things that are beyond their control like not being food secure and therefor having a harder time paying attention in class. When we increase the diversity and quality of our educational and support staff, we create an educational environment that fosters strong connections, supports all students, and leads to better outcomes. When students know they can trust teachers to treat them fairly, they can concentrate on learning. When students are supported throughout the school year, including during all breaks, their stress levels (and those of their families) are reduced, leading to lower absenteeism and truancy.

TAX POLICY Question: What measures will you support that promote equity and fairness in Washington’s tax code and create more opportunity for community investment? 

I am committing to learn all I can to determine what can be done to make our tax code more equitable. I am not a tax expert, but some things that I have heard being suggested include the following: Taxing second homes that are not used as residences at a higher property tax rate. A transfer tax on real estate sales over $3 million A wealth tax on the richest residents I am even willing to explore how to implement a state income tax, it it turns out to be the best way to help solve the issue.

If Washington voters maintain the state’s Climate Commitment Act, will you support increasing CCA funding for programs that encourage and support food donation?

Yes.

Do you support increasing EFAP funding?

Yes.

Will you support policies and funding that improve access to land and resources for individuals and communities to develop urban agriculture and community gardens in Washington?

Yes.

Will you advocate for initiatives that ensure fair compensation and support for small farmers and community food producers, enhancing individual and community food sovereignty in Washington?  

Yes.