| Fiscal responsibility at the state level |
I believe in fiscal responsibility at the state level. This means the Legislature should follow the same sound fiscal principles for the operating and supplemental budgets that State Senator Dino Rossi laid out for us in 2003. Our state budgets need to be sustainable, without requiring tax increases or a reduction in core state services. We can't continue with these multibillion dollar shortfalls year after year.
It's vitally important to our economy that the legislature identify and focus on the state's critical spending priorities, and create a reliable, constitutional rainy day fund to supplement economic downturns and cover unplanned expenses such as natural disasters.
| Enhancing our education system |
K-12 education
The students in our K-12 education system represent the hopes and dreams of our future. They are the foundation of our future families and economy.
We must strengthen our public schools so we can provide our students with a world-class education. Education funding is not only an important sustaining policy issue, it's our #1 Constitutional mandate. Our world class standards need to be congruent with our steams of education funding. We have K-12 education funding work groups looking into these issues. It's important we carefully consider their recommendations and make the necessary spending and legislative adjustments.
I also believe we need to clarify that teacher strikes are illegal and make the labor negotiating processes transparent so the public can be apprised of the issues and relate their informed concerns to the unions, school boards and their legislators.
Higher educationI believe in higher education. We need to support our colleges and universities as a top prioritiy. They are the key to the future of our children and the economic health of our state. We need to ensure quality in research universities and raise and maintain the highest standards for students and faculty at all colleges and universities. In doing so, we find students most prepared and dedicated to learning.
| Easing traffic congestion |
Traffic congestion remains a problem in the 5th District and around the state. I share in your frustration with the amount of time we spend on these roadways. Easing traffic congestion will not only allow us more time to be with our families, it will make our roadways safer.
I'm part of your 5th District legislative team that is working hard to secure the necessary funding for design and improvements to the following roadways:
• State Route 202
• State Route 169
• State Route
900
• Interstate -90
• Highway 18
While funding for traffic projects is essential, so are reforms. Citizens don't want the Legislature to find new ways to raise their taxes - they want legislators to find efficient ways to use their tax dollars to build and repair roads in our state.
| Creating and preserving jobs |
Too many people are still out of work in our state. As our nation's economy continues to fluctuate, we need to be sure our state is positioned for growth. Our Legislature plays an important role in achieving this goal.
We need to not only focus on employers who are already here, but ones who may be looking to relocate from other states. To increase our state's competitiveness, the Legislature should consider:
• Tax relief for small employers• Lifting regulatory burdens on job-providers
• Reforming our worker's compensation system
• Making adjustments to our minimum wage laws
• Exploring incentives to attract and retain growing industries
| Assisting senior citizens |
Seniors citizens are the fastest growing segment of our state's population. By the year 2020, it's estimated there will be more than 1.2 million Washington citizens over the age of 65.
Seniors have worked very hard over the years and contributed their experiences and knowledge to society. Their accomplishments have made our communities better places to live and work . We owe seniors our thanks and gratitude. We also owe them the right to live healthy lives - the same lifestyle we who are younger want to live when we reach our golden years.
Many seniors face an uphill battle with their health and finances. It's important the Legislature examine how the rising cost of living affects seniors living on fixed incomes. We need to carefully consider legislation that particularly impacts seniors, including:
• Property tax relief• Fraud prevention and ID theft
• Long-term care and hospice availability
• Prescription drug affordability