Julia Allen

Party: Republican

Age: 61

Job: Small Business Owner, Hula Coffee Company.

Born in Honolulu ( Kapiolani Maternity). In Hawaii since 1976, arrived from San Diego

Lives: St. Louis Heights

Contact: 255-8915, julia-allen@hawaii.rr.com

Web site: juliaallen.wordpress.com

Job history past 10 years:
Same as above.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes. 2004 and 2006. If I don't quit, I don't lose, so I'm not quitting.

Other civic experience or community service:
Hina Mauka Board of Directors. Palolo Lions Club. Neighborhood Board #5. Stop Rail Now volunteer.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I have worked in retail businesses since 1976, and worked at the State Legislature as a legislative aide for the last four years.

1) Why are you running for office?
I am concerned for how the residents of my district are being impacted by the great increases in the cost of living, especially our elderly population, many of whom live on a fixed income.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
We need to make more efficient use of the taxpayers' money that we spend on education, law enforcement, and transportation infrastructure. Just spending more money doesn't solve the problems in these three areas. For instance, we can allow the creation of more charter schools, which spend less money per pupil. To address the state revenue growth slowing, I would oppose all new taxes.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
The state can allow the free market to solve oil dependence by removing government barriers to new technology development and investment.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
Educational funding needs to be bottom up instead of top down, allowing the schools budgetary autonomy.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
The state needs to allow private hospitals to be built. The legislature can pass tort reform to help relieve the escalating medical costs. Also, the state can continue making better use of available federal funds for both private and public hospitals.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Great increases in the cost of living have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for everyone. The contributing factor that government can control is taxation. We need to address our total level of taxation, and reduce government spending. I would oppose all new taxes, the creation of more special funds, and any increases to current taxes and fees.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
I would introduce legislation allowing the City and County of Honolulu to use the half percent GET for any transit project, instead of being required to use those revenues for mass transit only. There are less expensive ways to reduce our traffic congestion more effectively, lowering our use of gasoline and time spent in transit, so we would be able to make better use of our time and money.