| 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, while not requiring tax increases or a reduction in core state services. We can't afford another multibillion dollar shortfall next year.
It's also important the Legislature strengthen the state's spending limit and create a reliable, constitutional rainy day fund for unexpected 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 continues to be an important issue. Our world class standards need to be congruent with our steams of education funding. There is currently a K-12 education funding work group looking into these issues. It's important we let this work group run its course and make the necessary recommendations to the Legislature.
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.
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 certain roadways in the 5th District and around the state. I share in your frustration with the amount of time you must sometimes 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 improvements to the following roadways:
• State Route 202• State Route 169
• State Route 900
• I-90 - Highway 18 exchange
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. In fact, Washington is in the top five for highest unemployment rates in the nation. As our nation's economy continues to recover, we need to be sure our state is positioned for a similar expansion. Our Legislature can play 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 tax incentives to attract and retain certain 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.
Some 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. I see certain challenges facing our seniors, including: costly prescription drugs and health care, long-term care, expensive property taxes and fraud. We need to enact legislation that helps seniors, including:
• Property tax relief• Preventing senior fraud
• Long-term care financing
• Making prescription drugs more affordable