We need to bring the cost of living down for the average working class family in Washington. Many young families are being shut out of being able to build generational wealth by being able to afford a home. In order to stabilize the price of housing in this state we need to build about 200,000 homes within the next 4 years. Here is so some other ideas I have to address this issue.

◦ We need to relax land use restrictions to allow for more multiplexes and townhomes to be built. 

◦ Require developers to include a percentage of affordable units in new housing projects 

◦ Offer density bonuses to developers and allow them to build more units than normally permitted 

◦ Encourage the development of Accessory Dwelling Units by simplifying the permitting process.

◦ Offer home repair assistance as home repairs are often very expensive

I would try to introduce a bill called the End Hedge Fund Control of Washington Homes Act. This legislation aims to crack down on corporate greed in the housing market by banning hedge funds from owning single-family homes and ensuring that these properties are sold to hard working families. If we don’t put a stop to this corporations could own 40% of single family homes by 2030. 

Very large private equity companies are buying up thousands of affordable houses that traditionally are the homes for first-time-homebuyers, and converting them to long term and high priced rentals. 

Homeownership is one of the best ways to build wealth in the United States and these private equity investment companies are shutting that out for too many of our families. 

I'm committed to fighting for policies that put the needs of working people first. Let's work together to create a housing system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

Universal healthcare is not a radical idea, but let me tell you what is. A cruel system that causes over 400k Washingtonians to be uninsured or underinsured while the health care industry makes huge profits off of human illness. That's radical. I believe that healthcare is a human right and I will work to ensure that every Washingtonian is able to get the health care that they need without fear of going into debt or bankruptcy. 

The plan – (From Whole Washington)

• What is included

Your provider determines what procedures, therapies, and medications are essential to your health. The Washington Health Trust covers them.

Specific services are too numerous to be listed in a bill like this, but you can rest easy knowing that one comprehensive plan covers all your needs. What your provider prescribes for you is considered essential and included.

The following are included in the Washington Health Trust essential benefits package:

Inpatient / Outpatient Care

24 Hour Emergency Services

Acupuncture, some massage and other healing therapies

Audiology

Dental

Maternity, Newborn, Pediatric Care

Medical Devices and Biological Products

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment

Palliative and End of Life Care

Prescription Drugs*

Reproductive Care

Rehabilitative Care, Occupational and Physical Therapy

Vision

*Generic prescriptions are fully covered. For any non-generic medications, the most an individual will pay for prescriptions is $250 per adult per year.

Who's Covered

All residents of Washington state and eligible non-residents are eligible to enroll in the Washington Health Trust.

Resident is defined by the Health Care Authority and includes individuals that are

• houseless

• not employed

• in Washington temporarily for a job

• traveling temporarily out of the state

Eligible non-residents will be defined by the Washington Health Trust Board and include

• nonresident students attending college within the state

• nonresidents employed within the state

• the spouses or domestic partners and dependents of eligible nonresidents 

How do we pay for it?

The great news is universal healthcare doesn’t require new funds added to what we’re paying now. Instead, we shift our costs from a fragmented, private system to a unified, public one. And while gaining expanded benefits and covering everyone, the transformation still results in cost relief.

With the Washington Health Trust we stop paying

• Deductibles

• Premiums

• Co-pays

• Medical Bills

• Out of Network Charges

• High Prescription Costs

I am a strong supporter of unions because I believe that when we have strong union membership that allows for workers to be able to bargain for higher wages and benefits, that will impact all workers across our state. I will always support unions, and I will advocate for unemployment insurance for striking workers. I will work to also ensure that we have more child care centers open during non-typical business hours so that machinists and other laborers can feel confident in their ability to raise a family. 

Every working family in the state of Washington should be able to afford taking their kids to daycare. I will work to create a guarantee for working families to be able to take their kids to daycare. 

The cost of child care has skyrocketed over the last decade, making it simply too costly for families to find safe, reliable care for their kids. We need to make bold new investments to address this crisis.

The child care crisis is bad for our economy. When providers are paid a living wage and more parents can work because they have child care, that's more people with more money to spend at local businesses, businesses make more and hire more, and our entire economy grows.

Capping costs for families and providing caregivers with better training and wages will lead to better outcomes for kids, parents and workers and boost our economy. 

By ensuring workers are paid a living wage and allowing more parents to find affordable care and work, we’ll grow our economy by putting more money in more families' pockets.

Key Facts

More than 600,000 Washington kids up to age 12 are in need of care because all available parents are working, but are not currently getting state licensed child care.1 

30 PERCENT of parents report leaving the workforce because of lack of child care.2 

Lack of child care costs WA’s economy an estimated $3.5 billion a year.3 

The median cost for an infant in a child care center in Washington state increased 74% over the past decade.4 

90 PERCENT of a child's brain develops by age five. High-quality early childhood experiences like child care lay the groundwork for success in school and in life.5 

Chronic low wages for child care workers leads to high staff turnover, which in turn is destabilizing the child care industry and making the problem worse. 

In Washington State, parents of adults who are eligible for caregiving support can be paid for their labor, recognizing the vital role they play in their loved ones' lives. However, parents of children who are eligible for caregiving support are currently prohibited from receiving the same compensation. This discrepancy leaves 1.4 million hours of caregiving work uncompensated every year, disproportionately impacting women and single-parent households, and erasing millions of dollars of care labor.

I firmly believe that all caregivers deserve fair compensation for their work, regardless of the age of the person they care for. Instead of relying on unrelated caregivers, parents of minor children should have the opportunity to be their child's paid care provider. This change would not only acknowledge the invaluable contribution of these parents but also address the severe shortage of caregivers available to work assessed hours.

I am committed to advocating for parity and ensuring that eligible parents of minors can be paid for their caregiving hours. 

As a hunter and advocate for public access to our shared lands, I'm deeply committed to ensuring that all Washingtonians have the opportunity to enjoy our public lands. It's unacceptable that 437 thousand acres of public land in our state are landlocked, inaccessible to the very people who own them – the taxpayers.

As your future state senator, I will prioritize legislation to address this issue head-on. This includes dedicating staff and programs to work on innovative solutions such as land swaps and strategic acquisitions to unlock access to landlocked public lands. By collaborating with landowners and leveraging resources like the Land and Conservation Fund, we can facilitate fair and mutually beneficial agreements that benefit both the public and private stakeholders.

Access to public lands is not only a matter of recreational enjoyment; it's a fundamental right that strengthens our connection to nature and preserves our outdoor heritage. Together, let's work towards a future where every Washingtonian can freely access and enjoy the public lands that belong to us all. 

We must ensure that our healthcare system is driven by need, not profit. This starts with addressing the root causes of these issues:

1. Recruitment and Retention of Staff: We need to invest in hiring more child psychiatry specialists and ensuring they are compensated fairly. This includes competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment.

2. Funding and Reimbursements: It's imperative that we increase funding for mental health services and adjust reimbursement rates to reflect the true cost of providing quality care. This will help hospitals like Sacred Heart sustain essential services without operating at a loss.

3. Facility Upgrades: We must allocate resources to upgrade and maintain healthcare facilities to ensure they are equipped to handle the needs of all patients, especially our youth.

4. Community Support Programs: Strengthen and expand outpatient programs such as RISE and BEST, which provide critical day treatment and support for children and adolescents.

1. Enhancing Access to Care: Let's cut down on waiting periods and invest in programs that attract and retain skilled behavioral health workers. By offering competitive wages, better benefits, and career growth opportunities, we can transform entry-level jobs into stable, fulfilling careers. We must also adopt a 'No Wrong Door' philosophy, integrating behavioral health into primary care, and co-locating services in community settings like homeless shelters.

2. Prevention and Early Intervention: We need to expand mental health support in schools, colleges, and universities. Routine screenings and clear referral pathways are essential, as is providing support for pregnant mothers and infants. We must also invest in youth outreach and public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote early help-seeking behaviors.

3. Strengthening Treatment and Recovery Support: Expanding access to medically assisted treatments and training human services professionals in basic mental health skills will save lives. We need to improve navigation resources, increase peer support services, and support parents, foster parents, and social workers serving children affected by the opioid crisis.

4. Systemic Improvements and Policy Reforms: We need to ensure the state budget includes funding so that we can hire and train more designated crisis responders, expand crisis facilities, and continue to improve the 988 Crisis Hotline. 

Utilities are vitally important to all of us. I would introduce legislation that will require utility companies to compensate customers for every minute without power due to faults. Not only does this encourage companies to invest in reliable infrastructure, but it also ensures fairness for consumers.

But that's just the beginning. We can also explore initiatives such as:

* Promoting energy efficiency programs to help households reduce their energy consumption and save on utility bills.

* Encouraging the expansion of renewable energy sources to diversify our energy supply and lower long-term costs.

* Implementing regulations to prevent monopolistic practices and promote competition in the utility market, driving down prices for consumers.

By implementing these measures, we can make utility costs more affordable for everyone while ensuring reliable service and sustainable energy practices.

As a candidate for WA state senate, one of my top priorities when I’m in the legislature is making public colleges, universities, and trade schools tuition-free. By investing in our future workforce and promoting fairness in access to higher education, we can create opportunities for all Washingtonians.

Tuition-free education isn't just about affordability; it's about building a strong local labor market and reducing crime rates. Studies consistently show that increased educational opportunities lead to safer communities as individuals gain the skills and knowledge needed for meaningful employment.

As a proud veteran, I'm committed to ensuring our servicemembers receive the support they deserve. That's why I advocate for expanding rural VA clinics, making healthcare more accessible for veterans in every corner of our state. 

Additionally, I believe our National Guard members deserve more than just gratitude – they deserve tangible support. That's why I propose free tuition for college and trade schools for our National Guard members, along with free comprehensive healthcare coverage, including dental and vision. Many service members spend their whole drill check on getting Tricare coverage. It's time to prioritize the well-being of those who have served and are serving our country and State

Everyday essentials should be affordable for everyone. That's why I'm committed to cutting the #PinkTax . It's time for fairness and equality in pricing. Let's ensure everyone pays a fair price, regardless of gender. #Equality #Affordability

What is the pink tax? It is a phenomenon where products and services marketed specifically to women are priced higher than similar products and services marketed to men. Some examples are personal care products like razors, shampoo, deodorant and body wash.

Although they essentially are made from many of the same ingredients and materials as men’s products, they end up being priced higher for women. This is not to mention the costs of similar clothing also being more expensive.

Health products such as pain relievers and vitamins marketed towards women are also likely to be priced higher even with having the same ingredients. Then of course hygiene products that women NEED and have to pay taxes on.

I would support legislation to remove these taxes and lower the costs of women’s products!

Growing up I went to a dual language school at Lutacaga Elementry in Othello, WA. It was a great experience that I hope for many more kids in this state to be able to experience. 

When I’m in the State Senate I will work to secure more funding for language immersion programs across our state. These programs enhance educational outcomes and make our kids more well rounded. 

The second most common language in Spokane county is Spanish and we have a total of 40,000 people in our community who do not speak English. We need to ensure that we are able to get them information that they can understand so that they are able to access resources and be civically involved with our communities. 

Let’s lead the nation in having the most bilingual population here in Washington State! 

We need to keep Washington farms in the hands of Washingtonians, not foreign countries like China. I will support a bill to restrict foreign entities from buying our precious farmland.

Our agricultural lands are the backbone of our state's economy and food security. Yet, the threat of foreign ownership looms large, risking our water supplies and local farmers' livelihoods. That's why I'm leading the charge to ensure that our farmland remains in the hands of those who till it with care.

Let's stand united for Washington's agricultural prosperity!

1. Insurance Reform: We need to work with insurance companies to ensure fair and adequate coverage for wildfire losses. This includes addressing underinsurance issues and preventing unjustified premium hikes for homeowners who take proactive measures to reduce fire risk.

2. Government Assistance: I'll advocate for state and federal recognition of wildfires as natural disasters, unlocking resources for debris cleanup and asbestos testing. No family should be burdened with exorbitant cleanup costs after already enduring a devastating loss.

3. Community Support: I'll work to strengthen community resilience by facilitating partnerships between local organizations, government agencies, and grassroots initiatives. Together, we can provide ongoing assistance and resources to help families rebuild their lives.

4. Prevention and Preparedness: Investing in wildfire prevention measures and emergency preparedness is crucial. By supporting programs that mitigate fire risk and educate homeowners, we can reduce the likelihood of future devastation.

I believe it's crucial to advocate for the rights and well-being of our hardworking truckers. Too often, these essential workers are undervalued and face unfair compensation practices.

That's why I am committed to promoting legislation that ensures truckers are paid fairly for their time and effort. No longer should they be subjected to payment structures that prioritize miles driven over hours worked. Truckers deserve to be compensated for every minute they dedicate to keeping our economy moving.

Moreover, safety must always come first. I pledge to champion laws that prevent truckers from being pressured to drive while fatigued. We cannot ignore the risks associated with tired driving, not only for the truckers themselves but for everyone sharing the road with them.

I believe it's crucial to advocate for the rights and well-being of our hardworking truckers. Too often, these essential workers are undervalued and face unfair compensation practices.

That's why I am committed to promoting legislation that ensures truckers are paid fairly for their time and effort. No longer should they be subjected to payment structures that prioritize miles driven over hours worked. Truckers deserve to be compensated for every minute they dedicate to keeping our economy moving.

Moreover, safety must always come first. I pledge to champion laws that prevent truckers from being pressured to drive while fatigued. We cannot ignore the risks associated with tired driving, not only for the truckers themselves but for everyone sharing the road with them.

I'm passionate about improving public transportation and connecting communities across Washington. That's why I'm committed to introducing legislation that would work on expanding and enhancing our public transit systems, making them more accessible and efficient for all.

In Eastern WA, I believe a high-speed rail system could be transformative, providing faster access to essential services like healthcare, education, and groceries for rural communities. By connecting rural areas to urban centers, we can bridge the gap and ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.

I'll work tirelessly to make this vision a reality. Let's invest in better public transportation and build a brighter future for all Washingtonians. 

Food trucks are an essential part of our culinary culture here in Washington. They bring delicious food and vibrant energy to communities across our state. But the current regulations and inspection process can be burdensome, especially for small businesses just starting out.

That's why, as a candidate for WA state senate, I'm committed to simplifying and streamlining the requirements for food trucks. We need regulations that make sense and are easy to follow, with a turnaround time of just days, not months.

I'll introduce legislation to hire more inspectors at L&I to ensure timely inspections and eliminate any favoritism. Additionally, I'll work to standardize county health department requirements statewide, so food trucks don't have to navigate different rules in each county.

Let's support our local food truck entrepreneurs and ensure they can focus on what they do best: serving up delicious meals for all of us to enjoy. Together, let's make Washington's food truck scene even better!