VOTE411 Voter Guide

The issue of homelessness has a number of basic issues that need to be addressed. The cost of housing has increased significantly with government permitting being a cost driver that should be analyzed. The continual increases in code requirements for basic housing is a function of government oversight. Availability of land and lack of flexibility of local government comprehensive plans also impact the cost effectiveness of housing development. Addressing the mental health and drug crisis among the homeless is a responsibility that the State must invest more funds for adequate staffing of existing services and construction of facilities to treat those dealing with these issues. Relationships foster self-worth which helps people find fulfillment and purpose in life. Many homeless have lost a vision for their existence so counseling and close care can meet those inadequacies and give a focus for their future. Without the State's investment, many will not have the opportunity to change.

Funding for schools is a priority and the State has generated adequate funds to provide a quality education for students in our State. Nationally, we are in the top tier for financial support of our schools. I believe the formula for distributing those funds must be addressed to allow for local schools to have more authority in allocating the funding for the specific communities' needs. Our forest management has provided more predictable revenues in the past and it still has tremendous potential to augment property tax collections. Through State and Federal Forest timber tax collections, there is a potential for revenue which would not additionally burden taxpayers while providing for a more environmentally beneficial forest. We must acknowledge the challenges of maintaining existing facilities and building new schools and consider general tax revenue as a potential source of funding. Being mindful of our statutory priorities, collaboration in committing funding is critical.

Compassion for those who are dealing with mental health issues should be our greatest objective. The form of care for families and the unhoused is challenging to settle on. Often, the lack of long-term housing opportunities is hindering individuals from fully recovering. However, unless we have more physical resources, we are also preventing initial in-patients from getting the basic services. Without fully committing to funding for staff and facilities, we are in a constant state of trying to keep up with additional patients. I would favor allocating more compensation for mental health care workers. Their efforts are beneficial for the State and society as a whole.

One of the highest priorities for me is forest management. A healthy forest provides significant carbon sequestration, a prosperous habitat, provides jobs for the economy and helps fund our schools. Additionally, a well-managed forest is less susceptible to major fires as the fuel loads are diminished. This also reduces the likelihood of extended periods of smoke and other particulates in the air. It is a priority for me to also encourage agriculture and its success in Washington. In addition to providing necessary food, the photosynthesis process in plants absorbs CO2. Vegetative growth is a positive action which provides benefits for all of society. It is also a priority to protect hydropower as it is the cleanest and most predictable source of electricity in Washington. Being mindful of additional environmentally sensitive energy sources is crucial as we replace existing power generation.

We have an affordable housing crisis in our state– in communities large and small– that will require private sector leadership and also state partnerships. This means smart land use laws that allow for greater affordability, workforce and low-income housing, innovative tax-incentives, limiting unreasonable rent increases while not disincentivizing development and retention of rentals, addressing second or investment home purchases that squeeze out working families, and truly working alongside local governments to help people in crisis off of our streets and into drug treatment, mental health support, and other emergency shelter and services.

My opponent has consistently voted against almost all of these priorities for the six years he has been in the legislature, including voting no on six out of seven housing bills and all affordable childcare bills just last session. It is time for a change, time to find ways to solve our problems.

I am a product of our public education system and personally know this is the path to individual success and a strong community. That is why I will fight to ensure every 12th District school gets its fair share of investments in great facilities, teachers, equipment, and materials. You can’t say you are for quality public schools and then oppose essential funding like my opponent does.

We can do that through better efficiencies at the state level and targeted investments in the communities where they are needed, but we also have to change the way we fund education. Our basic per-pupil funding doesn’t keep up with inflation, and doesn’t adequately fund school operations. And we cannot continue with some school districts badly underfunded despite having high voter support for capital levies that fail because of too-high approval requirements (in some cases, 59% yes votes going down to defeat). Access to arts and sports programs should be universal and not dependent upon local levies.

Access to mental health care is crucial for the well-being of our communities, especially for our kids coming out of the pandemic. I support amending our current laws to ensure that mental health services are more accessible, comprehensive, and tailored to the specific needs of each community. This includes integrating mental health care with other social services, removing barriers that prevent individuals from receiving timely and effective treatment, increasing awareness of programs that are available, and increasing funding for mental health programs. Additionally, I support more community-based mental health services and supportive housing programs that address both mental health needs and the underlying issues contributing to homelessness. We must take a compassionate and proactive approach to mental health care to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and stable life.

The 12th LD experiences some of the most devastating impacts of climate change, with wildfires that threaten health and safety each summer. These impacts are felt most by our working farms, the families and workers that run them, and the working men and women who work outside.

Our district also offers some of the most exciting opportunities to invest in the green economy and generate renewable energy in our state. These are family-wage jobs with a great future that will bring prosperity to much of the district.

I am deeply committed to protecting and preserving these areas for current use and future generations, especially because of their positive impact on our environment and will ensure that our frontline communities who are most impacted by climate change are involved in policy making and decisions.