Meet the candidates for 10th District Legislature

Why are you seeking office?

I have made my career in public service. First as a bilingual teacher, then as a social worker. I ran for Island County Commissioner to address healthcare challenges in our community. Now, I am running for state senate because I know that critical environmental and healthcare policy is happening at the state level. I want to continue my efforts on forest stewardship and conservation. I will increase access to mental health and substance abuse treatment and protect our access to healthcare, especially women's health care choices.

How will you increase funding for public school special education and mental health programs?

I was a public school advocate during the McCleary years. We have seen a continued failure in school funding over recent years. I will advocate for inflationary adjustments to school funding. I will also work to address the unfair regionalization algorithm our state uses to allocate funding that favors urban schools and puts our rural schools at risk.

On behavioral health, my highest priority is to hold insurance companies accountable for the mental health coverage they are obligated to provide. Island County led the fight for accountability of our managed care companies. I have also worked on the national level to fully implement the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act of 2008, requiring parity in coverage for primary care and behavioral health. I will continue to support creative efforts to fund these services while working to avoid additional burdens on the very people we hope to serve.

Where will significant funding for "workforce" housing come from?

There are additional revenue options currently under consideration in the legislature to fund affordable housing. HB 1406 created a 1/10 of 1% sales tax to help build affordable housing. The Island County Commission used that legislation to begin building a capital fund to invest in housing for working families. We have already broken ground on multiple projects in our county that will provide affordable housing in perpetuity for our workforce.

If I-2109 passes, repealing the tax on long-term capital gains, how will you replace that state funding?

I will be a no vote on I-2109. It is critical funding for our schools, early learning and childcare. This capital gains tax affects only the most wealthy in our state and 99.8% of taxpayers do not pay this tax.

If I-2117 passes, repealing the Washington Climate Commitment Act, what legislative acts are needed to replace it?

I will also be a no vote on I-2117. The Climate Commitment Act creates measurable actions to reduce carbon emissions, asking the worst polluters to pay. Without the CCA, we will dismantle the most significant climate legislation in our state, hurting all of us. It will pay for new ferries, agricultural grants, tribal fishing vessels, and home energy upgrades that will lower utility bills. The work will be piecemeal and laborious as we work to pass legislation over years to make the same gains.

What legislative initiatives will reduce usage of gasoline engine vehicles?

There is a place for the usage of diesel in our communities in vehicles and vessels. That said, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority and continued incentives from the state for the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles is one tool to continue that effort.