Background / qualifying experiences

I am an architect, small business owner and former carpenter, laborer and machinist with a Masters Degree in Environmental Law and Policy. Whidbey Island has been my family’s home for 23 years. During the Great Recession I served as Island County Commissioner balancing the budget and promoting transparency and accountable government. I have the experience, accountability and compassion to help steer our state out of tough times and to set us on course for a sustainable future.

State economic recovery

Washington state’s economy is still strong and will recover fastest when we invest in our own citizens. By designating funds for in-state businesses and their workers we can keep Washington healthy and productive, ensuring our economy rebounds and runs smoothly for years to come.

Support:

• Grants for made-in-Washington products and services

• Universally available health care

• Veterans, senior citizens and safety net services

State budget deficit

Washington is one of just four states in the U.S. without corporate income taxes, relying instead on sales taxes and personal income taxes to fund the budget, while corporations consistently report large profits to Wall Street. It is high time for large, profitable corporations to help support the state and its hard working residents. The largest of these are willing.

• End tax incentives/cuts to large corporations without strict requirements tied to training, jobs and benefits

State regressive tax structure

Washington State has the most regressive tax system in the country, hurting low-income individuals the hardest. I will promote a peer reviewed economist tax structure study to identify alternatives and then let voters decide what is the most fair.

• Close tax loopholes

• End tax cuts on federal land used privately

• Capital gains tax on high-income earners

• Tax fossil fuels equitably

• Support corporate wealth taxes

• Adopt low carbon fuel standards to create infrastructure projects and jobs

Fully fund state’s public education

Quality free public education for Washingtonians is our state’s paramount duty and vital to our economic future. Promoting education in leading tech and agriculture industries builds sustainable living wage jobs.

• Expand access to state-funded education from pre-K to junior college including vocational schooling. Available childcare for low-income working and/or student parents.

• Promote job transition programs and training for veterans. Prioritize affordable education and both mental and physical healthcare for veterans and Washington residents.

Climate change in Washington

• Enforce Washington State’s Growth Management Act and Shoreline Master Program and the federal Endangered Species, Clean Water and Clean Air Acts.

• Maintain and adequately fund Washington’s natural resource agencies and departments.

• Restrict toxic herbicides and pesticides

• Remove fish passage barriers and support salmon recovery efforts.

• Transition from fossil fuel dependent jobs to living wage renewable energy supported jobs.

• Promote sustainable local farming by protecting agriculture and forests from development and mismanagement.