Issues

"Today, we are in a fight - a brutal fight - to return some common sense and fiscal responsibility to state government. In the past 3 years, spending in Olympia has increased over 30% ... the big spenders in the Legislature appear to have an insatiable thirst for more and more taxes. Our local control is disappearing as the Legislature sets curriculum for our children and imposes unfunded mandates on our local cities, counties and school districts."

Affordable & Accountable Government

The current direction of our state budget is frightening.  Spending is literally out of control.  We are working harder and taking home less.  It appears to me our state government, like our federal government, is busy spending while the rest of us are busy saving.  Spending is up 33% in the past 4 years.  That equates to $5.7 million every single day.  This issue creates a big difference between the incumbent and me.   I, unlike my opponent, will not vote to increase your taxes.  

As your State Senator, I will go through the state budget line by line looking for ways we can improve service while cutting waste.  I will also fight to have the Performance Audit recommendations instituted.   This will save millions, if not billions, of dollars. 

Transportation

Our transportation system is quite frankly, pathetic.  It is shameful to have such a treasure as the Washington State Ferry System in such disarray.  We need new vessels to replace the Steel Electrics and we need a state of the art maintenance and repair system.

My primary goal is to have an efficient transportation system through-out the entire state.  We need a system that will not just relieve congestion in the I-5 corridor but also provide better access to outlying communities where we live and play.  These are essential routes, too!