16th District Rep Pos 2

In the face of dramatically decreased revenue from COVID-19’s impact on the economy, we should empower local businesses with tax breaks and deregulation to reinvigorate the economy.

In the face of dramatically decreased revenue from COVID-19’s impact on the economy, we should encourage state-wide economic growth with stimulus packages and infrastructure spending.

COVID-19 is a once-in-a-generation sea change. We should shore up the damage using the state’s Rainy Day Fund, and prepare our budget for a ‘new normal.’

The economic hit from COVID-19 is just a bump in the long road towards a balanced budget. We’ve prepared for this, and should not be making drastic changes to the Washington budget.

Governor Inslee should call a special legislative session to address foreseen state budget deficits as soon as possible.

The legislative branch works best when we have big, inclusive stakeholder processes followed by public hearings, talking to constituents in groups big and small; this is unwise in the context of the current public health crisis.

By incentivizing manufacturing, health care, and agricultural industries in our state, we create a competitive job market, and a vibrant creative economy will occur naturally.

Direct funding for the Arts, Cultural Activities, and STEM yield immediate economic benefit to our state, and help our communities retain high-quality professionals.

Police should be fully funded.

Too much is asked of our police; some responsibilities and resources should be shifted to health and social workers and new programs.

Police officers’ skill set and training are often out of sync with the social interactions that they have with their local communities.

Police officer training programs develop a culture of learning, critical thinking, open-mindedness, tolerance, and healthy curiosity.

The Washington State COVID policy should be based on the recommendations of public health officials.

The economic stakes are too high for health officials’ input to dominate the decision making process. It’s time to end restrictions and fully open up our schools and businesses.

Decisions about public safety are best made by local communities, private businesses, and municipalities, who are most aware of their own local needs.

Decisions about public safety are best made at the state level, where resources of the entire state can be used to benefit everyone and coordinate intra-community needs with a bird’s eye view, taking the heat off of local politicians, who have other challenges to deal with in leading communities through these challenges.

Washington State’s current ‘Top 2 in the Primary’ voting system satisfies the needs of the community. Unnecessarily changing or complicating the existing voting system would only cause confusion and voter exhaustion.

Washington State’s ‘Top 2 in the Primary’ voting system was a step in the right direction in 2004, but we need to take the next leap forward on election reform, where candidates win by majority, not by mere plurality (e.g. with Ranked Choice, or Instant Runoff voting systems).

More state funding for education is needed to cope with COVID-19.

School districts should be allowed to supplement more of their funding with levies.

Cutting educational service provider (ESP) jobs is shortsighted and harmful to students.

While COVID-19 is impacting communities now, it is important to remain prepared for future crises and maintain funding for emergency reserves.

It is the responsibility of local school districts and the voters therein to decide its annual budget.

The state has perpetually underfunded schools. State-level tax revenue should be used to provide equity among its districts.

Climate change is not an issue that states can or should address.

I support climate policies that incentivize Washington to do its part to prevent climate change.

We have an abundance of open, natural spaces and we need to focus on economic development over conservation or sustainability.

The natural environment is crucial to quality of life and economic prosperity. We should prioritize protecting it.

I will make the best decision I can based on my experience, judgment, and beliefs.

I will seek opinions and perspectives different from my own when formulating a decision.

State legislature dedicates a large amount of resources to ensure healthy communication, and works hard at educating the public on how to use what exists.

Communication methods used by state legislators are out-dated and underfunded. Funding for upgrades to, and person-power to support, the existing systems is critical.

The state transportation budget should focus on road maintenance, repairs, and expansion to reduce congestion.

The state transportation budget should focus on supporting carbon-free charging/fueling, and on increasing the use of carpooling, mass transit, and bicycles.

I stand with 70% of those surveyed in support of the proposed passenger rail system that increases inter-connectivity between Southeastern WA and the rest of the State, while reducing carbon emissions.

The proposed passenger rail system comes at too high an upfront cost. The state has higher priorities for its transportation budget, and I support focused funding on the interstate road system.

The state has a role to play in cost of living and affordable housing.

Cost of living and housing affordability should be left solely to the market.

We should control and guide suburban sprawl in our state even if doing so affects short-term economic growth.

We shouldn’t restrain free market development; it's critical to our local economies.

We need to be cautious when it comes to going too far shaping our society in response to LGBTQ+ ‘identity politics.’

We have taken positive steps forward in making our state more inclusive for LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming people, but there is still more progress that can be made at the state level to create a more equitable, just, and compassionate society for everyone.

Racism is a real and unfortunate thing, but it is a personal matter. We have made good progress as a society in overcoming racism and we should not try to create legislation which may overreach in order to appease minority groups.

Systemic racism is real and there are many things we must do at the state level to respond to the urgent challenge of creating a more just society.