Both on the City Council and in my job working with Highline Public Schools, I have sought to ensure we are providing equitable access to quality education for every student – from cradle to career. I’ve worked to increase student exposure to career pathways and training opportunities, higher education, and trade/vocational programs, while encouraging youth to engage in civic life and decision making. The first bill I passed in the State Legislature will establish an environmentally sustainable high school curriculum focused around our local natural resources. This program will introduce our students to new opportunities in clean energy careers. I also sponsored a budget provision to pilot our region’s first ever Maritime School and Educational program, an investment to increase the maritime industry workforce including longshoreman, engineers, port workers and biologists. Our community is an ideal area to launch this program due to our excellent access to waterways.

Moving forward, I’m excited to continue improving our education system, from early learning to postsecondary options. Every kid deserves the tools to succeed and our community benefits from building an educated, driven workforce for the next generation. My goal is that every student and worker has access to a stable and rewarding career with a living wage and benefits that also allows for them to provide for their family and to thrive in a vibrant local economy.

The cost of living is increasing everywhere across our region, especially housing costs as more people are moving into our community. I helped lead the effort to form Federal Way’s first Senior Advisory Commission. I know that, as our district continues to grow, we need to be proactive in protecting our communities by concentrating on housing and healthcare affordability for seniors and working people. I’m also dedicated to bringing down the cost of healthcare. This session I sponsored a bill, which passed the House unanimously, to expand dental health programs for kids and expand outreach to more kids in need. The community we’ve built here is what makes this district special – we can’t afford to lose that because of soaring costs. In the Legislature, I’ll always be an advocate for affordability.

Every one of our neighbors ought to have the support they need to be successful, and that starts by listening to and acting on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized communities. In Olympia, I’ve sponsored multiple bills to support at-risk youth, including those who are in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or suffering from challenges with mental health or addiction.   In addition to growing our efforts to provide housing stability, it’s clear we need improved services to help get homeless and housing-unstable members of our community back on their feet. I also believe that healthy communities begin with a healthy environment. Through the prism of environmental justice, I’m looking forward to further developing opportunities to address climate change, reduce pollution, and create renewable energy jobs.

I’ve also passed over a dozen bills that equip police with de-escalation tactics, require officers to announce their presence before entering a home, and ban chokeholds. Although it takes time to implement any sweeping change, I am proud to say that we have already seen fatal police encounters in Washington fall 60% to a five year low. I remain committed to protecting our community from police violence.

Together, we can build a 30th District with great schools, housing security, a healthy environment, and equitable opportunity for all.