Our police and sheriffs should know that I will have their backs in Olympia. As your State Senator, I will also work to make needed corrections to the police reform laws implemented in 2021 which restrict the ability of our police to carry out their duties. This includes lifting restrictions on the ability of police officers to pursue crime suspects. Additionally, I will critically review the new process for decertifying police officers. I will not stand for any political decertification of our law enforcement professionals.

The rise in violent crime in our State is worrisome. The “Crime in Washington 2021 Annual Report” shows an increase in Violent Crimes of 12.3%. Domestic violence offenses made up 47.8% of all crimes against persons. As your State Senator, I will make public safety a top priority. I will fight for full funding or our police, including increased resources for training, equipment and additional officers. I will support other needed legislation to bring these crime rates down.

Voters should know that I will be a fierce defender of our lower Snake River dams. They are the lifeblood of our agricultural economy, supporting a regional irrigation system that is essential for crops. The dams also support a Columbia River system that moves much of the nation’s agricultural exports to global markets. At the same time, I will back continued technological advances to help the salmon population remain strong. Simply stated, we can have both: our dams and robust native salmon runs. Keeping our dams also ensures that we maintain the most reliable source of clean energy which does not contribute to global warming.

Wildlife predator animals on the state endangered or protected lists pose a serious threat to our rural communities, our livestock and to deer and elk populations. Gray wolves, cougars and grizzly bears are becoming more brazen and are now coming into suburban and even urban areas. As legislators, we need to demand that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reduce the lists of protected predator animals. I will join other state Senators on this effort.

As a long-time resident of Central Washington, a businesswoman, mother and grandmother, I understand the priorities that matter most to our community. You have my commitment to work very hard in Olympia to find common-sense solutions to our most pressing problems. From improving public and school safety, supporting law enforcement, protecting agriculture and our dams, advocating for affordable housing, to advancing rural economic development – this will be my agenda as your state Senator.

Our state’s gas tax remains unacceptably high and will get worse. Currently, the state’s portion of the gas tax is 49.4 cents tax per gallon – the third highest in the nation. By comparison, the federal government’s share is 18.4 cents per gallon. And now, the state’s new tax on carbon emissions, which will come as early as next year, is projected to add 46 cents tax per gallon, which nearly doubles taxes on gasoline to be paid by us. This is madness. I will work with other Senators to bring about an equitable solution to taxes.

The current cost for a new home remains beyond the reach of many of our residents, especially those families who are at the median household income. Housing in our state is 20 percent higher than the national average. The typical value of a single-family home is $500,000 or above. Teachers, newlyweds, agricultural workers, police officers – all find it hard to afford a home. As a state Senator, I will bring about a dialogue with home builders, local government and community to find ways to make housing more affordable.

Inflation continues to hurt people. Prices rose 8.3 percent through August, higher than expected. While gas prices have dipped a bit, they did not offset rising rent, food and other prices this last month. To make matters worse, our state Legislature will raise gas taxes, already the third highest in the nation, by an additional 46 cents a gallon. This action goes beyond rubbing salt in the wound of consumers struggling to stay afloat. As your state Senator, I will fight hard to stop this gas tax increase and provide our people much needed relief from high taxes and inflation.