Currently holds the office of Washington State Senate - District 22 until January 10, 2025.
Candidate for Washington State Senate - District 22 in 2020 Washington General Election.
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Get StartedThe Washington State Supreme Court has ruled against capital punishment, Governor Inslee has a long-standing moratorium on use of the death penalty. The state senate has passed a repeal of the death penalty three years in a row. I will continue to work for abolishment of the death penalty in Washington State. Learn more
Early learning is very important. Research at the University of Washington and elsewhere shows that much of a child’s brain development occurs in the first three years of life. Support for early learning is a good investment that will help kids and reduce learning problems as they grow older. We have made great strides in funding higher education. Now many students will receive tuition-free education for the first two years of college. We have made great strides to make postsecondary education more affordable. Now we need to fight to maintain these gains. Learn more
If we have learned anything from the current pandemic, it is that healthcare in our nation is a mess and needs to receive massive attention. We must work the federal government to bring universal health care to our state and nation. None of us can afford to face another crisis with the existing system. Learn more
The legislature passed a large transportation package in 2015. In that time gas tax revenues have declined and our population continues to increase. (Population has increased from 7.2 million in 2015 to 7.8 million in 2020.) We need to address the future of Interstate 5 between DuPont and Littlerock. Planning is underway, but funds will be needed to address construction needs. Issues such as passenger ferry service between Olympia and Seattle, and expanded mass transit are also important. Learn more
Washington continues to face 21st Century problems with a 19th Century tax structure. People with low incomes pay a larger share of their income in taxes than the wealthy. Unfortunately, that income gap will grow even wider. Our sales and property-based tax structure is subject to big dips during downturns. It is even clearer that we need to fix our tax structure so those who take home millions of dollars pay their fair share. I support enactment of a capital gains tax and have cosponsored legislation to establish a corporate gains tax. Learn more
I strongly support the right of state employees to belong to a union and to have full collective bargaining rights. We must provide fair pay and benefits and adequate funding for state retirement systems in order to recruit and retain a talented workforce that can provide quality service to residents of our state. All retirees also deserve annual cost of living increases to help them keep with inflation. Learn more
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