Let’s change the face of state government

Too many kids won’t read because of cuts to early learning, or will struggle to focus because they are coming to school hungry. Seniors pay higher property taxes because Olympia won’t sunset unnecessary tax breaks.

Too many people are not being represented right now. Too many people are not being heard. I’m running to stand up for the people who are left out in Olympia. 

I am running to change the face of state government. As the daughter of immigrants, I will work to create opportunities for everyone in our community–immigrants, people of color, low-income communities, women and young people. I will take a stand and put a stop to balancing our state budgets on the backs these communities.

The issues we face

On any issue that comes before me in the legislature, I will be asking the questions about who benefits, who has been left out and who ends up being burdened by the impacts of our decisions? I will be striving to make sure that all the people of our state have quality education, jobs that provide living wages, and communities that are safe for everyone.

Education – I will get to work on closing the achievement gap as soon as I take office. One of my top priorities is to ensure that all of our children receive a quality education regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality or background. [read more]

Health & Human Services – No child in this state should go hunger and I will fight to end child hunger. I will be a fierce advocate for strengthening our social safety net. I will make sure low-income families have a voice in the budget decision. I will fight to protect existing funding for the services and programs and work to find new, secure funding for critical health and human services. [read more]

Healthcare – The Affordable Care Act contains many great strides in providing quality, affordable care for everyone in Washington. We need to go further. In creating a Washington insurance exchange, I think we should require that participating insurers offer plans providing access to quality, affordable care. We should also ensure these plans include access to basic interpreter services and culturally relevant and appropriate care for everyone in our state. [read more]

Jobs – When using public funds, we must also look for opportunities to hire locally, use apprenticeships and compensate workers with family wages and benefits. We need to offer creative, realistic incentives for homes and business to make deep retrofits to their buildings, thereby creating new green jobs and promoting conservation. [read more]

Racial Equity – One of my top legislative priorities will be to pass legislation requiring the use of racial impact statements to help guide key decisions, asking policymakers to consider who will benefit and who will be burdened by specific laws and decisions. Asking these questions will lead to greater outcomes for everyone. [read more]

Revenue – We must examine every tax exemption to ensure corporations are delivering jobs or lose their taxpayer subsidies. I believe we need progressive income tax and would support a capital gains tax. I support giving local taxing authority to our cities to let them explore options to promote equitable taxation. [read more]

Women’s rights – Since I was 9 years old, I knew I wanted to be a human rights lawyer working for the liberation of women and oppressed people, and I have made it my life’s mission. I will continue to be fierce defender of women’s rights in the State Legislature. [read more]