Priorities for
Southwest Washington

Cutting Taxes for Southwest Washington

As Battle Ground Mayor, I passed the largest tax cut in city history, saving taxpayers $1.5 million dollars in utility bills, and passed a ban on local income-taxes while also balancing the budget, funding law enforcement and fixing roads.

In the State Senate, I will continue to be fiscally responsible and will work to reduce taxes on workers and working families.

Protecting Reproductive Healthcare

Make no mistake, women’s healthcare and reproductive freedoms are on the ballot this year in Washington State. I believe that bodily autonomy and a women’s right to choose is between an individual and their doctor, not the Government. If elected to the State Senate, I will always protect reproductive healthcare by ensuring access and funding to birth control, IVF, Planned Parenthood, and other health clinics.

Investing in our Roads and Transportation

In my years as Battle Ground City Council Member and Mayor, we’ve been able to not only cut taxes that have put money back into the pockets of residents but have successfully been able to balance our budget to maintain our current roads and build new ones. This was done by prioritizing spending, leveraging local dollars with state and federal funds, and using tools that the state has provided for us to ensure that people pay their fair share to use our roads. Maintaining our existing roads is an essential function that enhances the quality of life within our communities but also bolsters our vibrant economies. 

The 18th District needs a proven leader who knows how to invest in our communities. In the State Senate, I will prioritize safeguarding our roads through:

  • Responsible budget prioritization of transportation dollars.

  • Expanding Transportation Benefit District’s local use and control.

  • Enforcing out of state tax cheats that don't pay to drive on our roads.

  • Leveraging federal funds to support transportation projects.

Workforce Training Programs

Technical training schools are extremely important to our community and economy. Our society often covets a higher education as the only route to a career. Here in Southwest Washington, we know how important it is to have technical training schools, and how it offers an alternative route to a well rounded education, professional development, and careers. As State Senator, I will work to reinvest in our workforce training programs by funding more programs like the Cascadia Tech Academy that helps prepare students for technical careers. We also must invest in workforce programs that support individuals with disabilities, such as the Division of Vocational Resources.

Increasing Access to Affordable Childcare

Legislators have a paramount duty to the betterment of our children’s futures. For many, that starts with affordable childcare. As a father to two daughters and an educator, I understand the necessity for childcare that prioritizes the welfare of our children at an affordable cost. We are currently facing a massive childcare shortage, and the effects are well felt here in Southwest Washington.

As State Senator, I will make strong efforts in expanding access by looking for ways to compensate childcare providers by increasing their pay to livable wages. Moreover, we need to also provide more support for parents to be able to send their children to licensed child care professionals through state supported subsidies.

Public Education

As a public school educator and father, I understand the need for supporting our students, educators and families. Whether it be by overhauling much needed funding to our school districts, or supporting our educators fight and bargain for their benefits, I understand that public education must be a priority for Southwest Washington. 

If elected, I will introduce and support policy in the Senate to require a change in our state constitution to allow a simple majority to pass bonds and levies. Washington State is 1 of 11 states that still require our communities to pass bonds and levies with a supermajority of 60%. This archaic system has left our communities and school districts severely underfunded and unable to construct new schools. 

Education is enshrined in the Washington State Constitution as a paramount duty. As a policymaker, I will fight to protect and expand our State’s budget to advance a Living Wage for Educators and Paraeducators, fund equitable and high-quality services for Students with Disabilities, recruit and retain educators through state funded programs, and protect access to free and reduced lunch costs at all levels of education. 

Housing Affordability

With the cost of living and inflation on the rise, access to affordable housing has never been more necessary. If elected, I will continue to find equitable solutions to address affordability issues in Southwest Washington. There is no one size fits all to this issue, which is why a multi pronged approach is needed to find new solutions. As State Senator, I will work with our community leaders, local jurisdictions, and many other stakeholders to find realistic and effective policy solutions to address the needs of every resident in the Southwest Washington area. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Municipal permitting

  • Development of multifamily housing

  • A revamping of state statutes surrounding the growth management act

  • Rent stabilization

  • Increase funding to homelessness prevention programs

A Strong Economy

The pillars to a thriving economy is access to good-paying jobs and a trained workforce. As State Senator, I will work to foster a thriving economy through funding necessary infrastructure projects that create a strong workforce and will  lay the groundwork for economic growth within our community.

Good-paying jobs are key to strong communities. Along with my commitment to bring home infrastructure dollars to Southwest Washington, I will focus on helping small and medium sized businesses be successful. 

Thriving economies need a robust skilled workforce. We need to continue to make investments in our career training programs both in schools and out of schools so that opportunities are available for anybody who wants to train for a good job. Labor unions are great incubators of our workforce and I look forward to working with them to expand their apprenticeship and training programs.

Libraries

Supporting education for our children and communities as a whole includes supporting our public and school library systems along with the qualified staff that make them effective. In the Senate, I will work to support our librarians and techs by enhancing a conversation and understanding of policy issues that directly impact librarians by advancing research on librarian practices, funding well rounded programs for recruitment and retention of library staff, and implementing policy to advance access to livable wages. 

As an educator, I also understand the need for everybody to be able to have access to research and books to enhance their knowledge. If elected, I will always fight back against any censorship of books and research in our Public School systems.

Gun Violence Prevention

When I decided to enter the teaching profession, I understood and accepted the responsibilities that come with shaping young minds. What I did not expect was that our schools would become a battleground. For years students, families, and teachers alike have been calling for common sense gun control solutions to keep our communities safe. As a teacher and father to two daughters, I understand the importance of keeping guns out of the hands of those who wish to harm others. As State Senator, I will firmly support efforts to prevent gun violence in our schools and community. Whether that be through universal background checks, red flag laws, or banning bumpstocks.