Jessica Wooley

Party: Democratic

Age: 43

Job: Representative, State of Hawai'i

Born in Scottsdale, AZ. In Hawaii since 1997, arrived from California

Contact: 864-0400, repwooley@gmail.com

Web site: JessicaWooley.com

Job history past 10 years:
2008-2010 State Representative; 2003-2008 Stay-At-Home Mother; 2000-2003 State of Hawai'i, Deputy Attorney General; 1998-2000 Legal Aid Attorney; 1999 U.H. Manoa, Economics Research Associate

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
I ran for State House in 2008 and won.

Other civic experience or community service:
Volunteer, AARP; Member, Papahanaumokuakea Reserve Advisory Committee; Steering Member, O'ahu Land Trust; As a Legal Aid lawyer, I established new housing programs and protected consumers from fraud.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Married with 2 children (ages 10 and 7). B.A. in economics, Masters in agricultural and resource economics, and law degree. Co-authored a report on how the environment benefits Hawai'i's economy.

1) What qualifies you to be a member of the state House?
I have been an effective legislator, using my skills in law and economics to focus on issues of concern to my district. In just one term, working with concerned community members, I convinced the legislature to pass three laws to solve local problems that had gone unaddressed for years: a master plan for Kahana State Park; removing hazards on neighbors' land; and promoting local agriculture.

2) What do you feel is the biggest problem facing your district and what would you do about it?
Families in my district are struggling to make ends meet and to make a better future for their keiki. I will continue to provide effective representation, fighting for affordable housing and quality education; promoting local jobs, businesses and agriculture; opposing tax increases on working families; working to streamline government; and ensuring we preserve our rural quality of life.

3) How would you have voted on House Bill 444, the civil unions bill? Explain.
Like Senator Inouye, I believe government must treat all of its citizens equally; this principle is central to our democracy. I also believe marriage should be up to our churches. HB 444 reaffirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman and guaranteed equal rights. I voted for HB 444.

4) How can the state help the city address the problem of homelessness?
Homelessness affects all of us, reducing our quality of life and hurting our vital tourism sector. The State can and must attack the root causes of homelessness by promoting affordable housing, local businesses, and job creation. For those already on the streets, we must maintain and improve temporary housing, job training programs, services for mental illness, and drug and alcohol treatment.

5) What is your stance on increasing the general excise tax to balance the budget and/or fund needed programs?
For the past two years on the Finance Committee, I fought against raising the general excise tax and, without raising it, we closed a $3.2 billion budget shortfall. The GET is a regressive tax that hurts working families and small businesses most. If additional funds are needed, we should eliminate the numerous tax loopholes and handouts that benefit only the few and the corporate elite.

6) What is your stance on gambling?
I do not support legalizing gambling in Hawai'i. Our current laws allow social gambling among friends, and I see no reason for government to interfere with those personal choices.