Julia Payne

Julia Payne earned a high school diploma from Medical Lake High School. Payne's career experience includes working as a homemaker.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I moved to Spokane in 1989 as the daughter of Air Force veterans. I have lived throughout the district including Airway Heights and Indian Trail. I am a mom and foster mom officially, but unofficially I’ve been “mom” or “aunt” to many young people.

As a disabled person, I know accessibility and affordability impact the health of our economy, but some of our representatives don't understand. They listen to big voices, but when a regular constituent travels to Olympia they “aren’t available”. How can someone represent you if they won’t listen? I will be “Approachable to everyone, Accountable to YOU.”

I want to help the organizations that have already built the ground work, that have the trust of their community and that already know what works and what doesn’t.  I don’t need to come in and tell you how to solve the issues you face, I want you to tell me how I can help you with the solutions you already have. Representatives should represent you, they should be your voice and your advocate, and sometimes your problem solver when the process of government gets in the way of the solution. Send me to Olympia to be your voice, and I will talk until you are heard.’

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a mobility impaired person I have an intimate view on Accessibility. But I also recognize that accessibility means different things to different people. The only thing I KNOW we need when it comes to accessibility is that we need to ask the people who need it what changes they want to see instead of assuming we know. Accessibility is so personal and yet can be achieved in very simple ways. As an example, allowing employees to communicate to their employers what accommodations they need, can make hiring disabled individuals much more appealing, as the cost of the accommodations can usually be much less by tailoring them to the employees. This will encourage more employers to hire disabled individuals, strengthening our economy.We are in an economic situation where the gap between income brackets just keeps getting bigger. This is felt at the grocery store, the gas pump and when writing the rent/mortgage check. Money issues seem to drown out compassion, and we desperately need to hold onto compassion for our fellow humans. That is the policy maker and the judge, the grocery worker and the nurse, and even the houseless person downtown or the addict fighting their demons under the bridge. If we all try to live by the rule of 'We are ALL human' we might be able to come to the table and discuss plans that help everyone. We all have to share this planet, one way or another. I'd prefer to share it in a spirit of cooperation.In this age of information the whole world is at our fingertips, on our phones and in our cars. It is becoming harder and harder to distinguish AI generated from reality and this is the world our kids are growing up in. It is essential that we, as the adults in their lives, try to help them separate fake from real and important from inconsequential. But in doing this we need to make sure we are listening to what they feel is important and not dismiss their viewpoint. Talk to experts but verify them, form your own opinions, but challenge yourself to be open to new ideas. Flexibility is so essential in these times of fast advancement. But we need to remember that the human connection matters.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

In our district we have an emergency housing situation.  We do not have enough housing options within the price bracket of our Middle class working families. Whether it be renting an apartment or owning a home the present cost is out of reach for so many. We need to focus on sitting down and having the hard conversations about where new housing can be built, while respecting our natural resources and beauty.  I am ready and able to make the hard decisions that can lead to realistic solutions to the issue of affordable housing. I am ready to work with the agencies that have the ability to build more affordable housing in our district now, not 5 years from now.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Spokane County Democrats

LD 6 Democrats

Kay McClocklin

Matthew Danielson (Executive Director Spokane Pride) personal endorsement only.

Kassandra Forsman (Vice President Spokane Pride) personal endorsement only.

Micheala Kelso, candidate for LD6, Position 1.