POULSBO — Less than a year after securing $250,000 to bring the Poulsbo Marine Science Center back from the depths in her first term, State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) is asking voters to continue her tenure in November.

Appleton, who is seeking reelection in the 23rd Legislative District, which covers the North End, parts of Central Kitsap and Bainbridge Island, is currently unopposed for the Democratic nomination. She will, however, face Bainbridge Island resident Earl Johnson in the November general election.

“One of the most important things for me and I fulfilled that was to have senior citizens be able to get prescriptions from Canada,” Appleton said, adding that Washington now has a Web site, which joins with two other states that have similar agreements.

Another important health care issue Appleton said she was pleased to have addressed was having a public health district nurse check on newborn babies regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status.

“Right now, a lot of disabilities aren’t diagnosed because of the way we handle births,” she said.

The visits benefit not only the young children, but the entire family as well, she said.

“When there’s less pressure, there’s less anxiety on the family’s part,” she said.

For Kitsap County, Appleton said she has been able to help bring in $27 million for upgrading septic systems or services at state parks.

“That $27 million has a face on it and those are the people who will be doing the jobs,” she said. “This is our taxpayer money that has come back to Kitsap County.”

With the State Route 305 widening project funding secured, Appleton took aim at the way the state’s ferry system is funded.

“We have to do something when a family of four has to spend $50 to take the ferry to Seattle,” she said.

Motorists are already paying for the ferry at the pump with the state’s gas tax and the area’s ferry routes are already operating at 100 percent from the fare box.

“Essentially we’re paying for other routes that aren’t at that level,” she said.

One possible solution could be raising the license plate tab fees from $30 to $75, she said.

“After paying $500 to $600, I don’t think we’re asking too much at $75, and it would help pay for transportation improvements,” she said.

As a first-term legislator, Appleton said she has learned the value of reaching across party lines to accomplish what the voters want.

“I think I’ve worked well with the people of Kitsap County,” Appleton said. “I just hope the people think I’ve done a good job and will return me to office.”