ON THE ISSUES
Deken’s Priorities
Supporting Students, Teachers, and Families
Our students are the future of America and as State Representative, I will work everyday to ensure they have the best opportunities possible. It is clear that we need to increase funding for smaller class sizes, more after-school programs, and necessary staff such as counselors and psychologists. We also need to support teachers and classified staff as this will directly affect the education of our students. Being an educator is a very important career and it can have its challenges but we need to give them the tools that they need in order to do their job.
Our community needs to combat our school funding crisis. It is a top priority of mine to bring more education funding to Southwest Washington and to stop teachers and classified staff from suffering from additional layoffs, which has an adverse effect on our children's quality of education. I do not support charter schools or school vouchers. I believe we need to focus our efforts on funding our public schools.
We also must ensure our schools are safe and our students and educators are safe from gun violence. In the State Legislature, I will be a champion for common-sense gun safety policies that keep our schools as safe places to learn and thrive.
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Championing Southwest Washington Workers
I know firsthand the important role that labor unions play in ensuring fair pay and safe workplaces for workers. These benefits have a halo effect as well and help create safer workplaces, increased wages, and better working conditions for all workers in our communities.
I 100% support the right of workers to unionize. My entire life's work has been dedicated to supporting workers and their rights and advocating for safe and healthy working environments.
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Protecting Reproductive Healthcare Access
I am a Pro-Choice Democrat and as State Representative I will ensure reproductive rights by protecting access to contraception and abortion services. It is imperative that we protect licensed medical providers from legal repercussions for performing reproductive healthcare procedures, including abortion.
I will never let the government tell a woman what kind of reproductive healthcare choices to make. As we’ve seen at the federal level, we cannot take our freedoms for granted so we must protect our freedoms here in Washington State. That also means ensuring access to birth control and to IVF.
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Affordable Health Care
& Lower Prescription Drug Prices
We must continue to do everything we can to make high-quality healthcare accessible to every Washingtonian. I’ll champion policies that increase funding to clinics in underserved areas and for underserved community members, as well as support training programs for healthcare professionals. It is imperative that we support our community’s health.
Prescription drug prices are skyrocketing and too many people are forced to choose between essential needs and their health. I’ll fight for stronger negotiations with the Prescription drug companies to lower the prices. We cannot let these companies massively profit off of us who just need this medicine to live, work and be healthy.
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A Strong Economy that Works for Southwest Washington Workers
As State Representative, I will lead on legislation that strengthens our economy and creates jobs that pay well so all Southwest Washington workers can afford to live, raise their families and enjoy a high-quality life. I will be focused on the smart investments the State Government can make in our infrastructure that helps businesses grow and sustain themselves.
To continue to make these essential investments, the State Government should continue to improve upon our tax code, ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share and the burden on workers is lessened. With smart investments using a fair and progressive revenue system.
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Supporting our transition to Green Energy
I support our transition to green energy. To achieve a just transition, we need an 'all of the above' approach. Currently, we lack the infrastructure and capability to rely exclusively on green electricity. Therefore, we should consider a mix of options including hydrogen, hydroelectric, offshore wind, solar power, wind turbines, and small modular reactors (SMR). While I advocate for robust environmental protection and oversight, it must be balanced and fair. It's crucial that we ensure a just transition away from fossil fuels. I'm concerned that without careful planning, the benefits of cleaner energy sources may only reach a select few, leaving lower-income communities to bear the negative consequences of an unjust transition.
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Improving Access to Affordable Childcare
As a working parent in Southwest Washington, I have personally encountered the difficulties of finding affordable childcare. Our region is currently experiencing a childcare desert, which leaves many families without reliable options for their children while they work. This not only imposes significant stress on parents but also restricts economic opportunities for families striving to balance work and childcare responsibilities.
In my role as a union advocate in Olympia, I worked diligently to pass HB 2266, a bill that mandates clean, safe, and lockable spaces for breastfeeding mothers on construction sites, as well as refrigerated storage for expressed milk. Additionally, the bill ensures that menstrual products are included in all first aid kits on worksites. Implementing policies like HB 2266 is a crucial step toward improving the daily lives of Washingtonians and supporting working parents.
As a candidate for State Representative, I am committed to advancing efforts to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare and family support programs in our community. We can achieve this by requiring more training and education for childcare workers to increase the number of qualified childcare providers, and implementing tax breaks for the building of child care centers. Every parent deserves the assurance that their children are in a secure and nurturing environment while they work. By championing improved childcare options, we can better support working families, enhance economic stability, and provide our children with the essential early education and care they need to thrive.
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Gun Safety and Responsibility
I wholeheartedly support the Second Amendment, recognizing it as a fundamental right that empowers individuals to protect themselves and their families. However, we must also confront the pressing public safety issues stemming from gun violence that affect our communities. Striking a balance between preserving rights and ensuring safety is essential for the well-being of families, neighborhoods, and law enforcement.
It is imperative that we hold the gun industry accountable for its role in this crisis. We must advocate for regulations that require secure storage practices to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands, ensuring that guns are kept away from children and those who might use them for harm.
Investing in violence intervention programs is another vital step. By funding initiatives that address the root causes of gun violence, we can create safer environments for all. These programs can serve as critical lifelines for at-risk individuals, steering them away from violence and toward constructive paths.
We must also work to redefine what responsible gun ownership looks like in today’s society. This includes advocating for comprehensive background checks, blocking illegal access to firearms, and enhancing the vetting process for gun buyers. By tightening these regulations, we can better prevent guns from reaching those who may pose a risk to themselves or others.