Record of Results

Washington’s transportation sector is something that thousands of people rely on every day. As the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, improving Washington’s transportation sector in a way that supports as many people as possible, maintains labor equity, advances sustainable practices, and stays conscious of impacts on marginalized and vulnerable groups.Traffic fatalities are at a 30-year high and my main focus within Washington transportation has been safety. I am working towards making our roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, as well as working towards making our public transportation a safe and reliable resource for all.

The Senate Transportation committee does work in many areas including:

• State and regional transportation planning and policy
• Traffic safety
• The state ferry system
• Bicycle and motorcycle related policies
• The transportation budget
• Revenue sources for transportation funding

Senate Achievements in Transportation

• Move Ahead Washington, 2023: a 16-year package that addresses the transportation realities that are faced by many today while investing into the future of transportation infrastructure and planning to make sure that Washington can look forward to a strong and sustainable place to live, grow and thrive.
• Millions in funding from the 2023-25 transportation budget is allocated for employment initiatives and hiring more ferry workers.
• HB 1846, May 11, 2023: opens the procurement process for new vessels to national shipbuilders and provides the opportunity to build boats more quickly.
• SB 5550, April 25, 2023: requires Washington State Ferries to adopt a formal diversity, equity and inclusion strategy to help recruit workers from more diverse communities.

Climate change is a current and pressing threat to many aspects of world operation. Washington state has been a US leader in working towards greener and more sustainable solutions for our most harmful contributions to the environment. Through creating and passing innovative policy and setting bold climate goals, we can prepare for the challenges posed by climate change and work on adapting to new ways of operation that eventually prevent those challenges. While we have come a long way, there is still work to be done in reducing carbon emissions, adjusting energy use and industrial practice, and protecting natural resources and Washington’s beautiful and essential ecosystems. The generations of today and tomorrow deserve the ability to experience our world for all of its beauty and we as legislators, humans, and inhabitants of this Earth have a responsibility to be mindful of the environment as we innovate and advance our ways of life.

I currently serve on the Agriculture & Natural Resources committee as well as the Environment, Energy & Technology committee where I work on issues regarding several factors related to climate and environmental mitigation such as:

• Agricultural land and products
• Regulation of water and water rights
• Fish and wildlife
• Mining
• Forest practices and forest fire protection
• Management of certain state-owned lands including forest, farm, and aquatic lands
• Air quality
• The Puget Sound Partnership
• The State Environmental Policy Act
• Oil spill prevention
• Recycling and solid waste
• Toxic substances
• Hazardous and toxic waste
• Telecommunications including broadband
• Energy
• Climate change
• Stormwater management
• Nuclear waste
• Technology

Senate Achievements in the Environment

• SB 5447, May 3, 2023: outlines incentives for use of lower-carbon aviation fuel that is produced in-state.
• HB 1329, April 20, 2023: establishes that during extreme heat events, utility companies and landlords can NOT shut off electricity or water due to non-payment.
• SB 5722, March 25, 2022: reduces greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by adjusting performance standards.
• SB 5126, May 17, 2021: the Climate Commitment Act. Aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in multiple areas, as well as creates a program to facilitate cap and invest practices. As of 2023, the CCAs revenues are being put towards clean energy production, efficiency, emission reduction, community health investments, and natural and wildlife preservation.
• HB 1091, May 17, 2021: the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Lowers greenhouse gas emissions with set percentages for fuel-using machines with the Clean Fuels Program.
• Move Ahead Washington, 2023: transportation funding package that prioritizes a greener transportation sector and climate mitigation efforts, aiming to rely more on renewable energy and less on fossil fuels with stormwater investments, EV goals, salmon pathway recovery, and more.

Students are the future of our community and as a legislator, I have a responsibility to make Washington’s education system accessible and supportive, and to provide as many different pathways as possible. Meeting students’ basic needs and providing support to students of all different backgrounds, allows students to thrive in the classroom. Eliminating barriers to higher education as well as promoting and expanding other career options like apprenticeships allows students a wide range of directions to go with the safety and ability to go there. With a continued legislative focus on these things, Washington’s next generations can have the best tools to achieve their dreams and prepare for their futures.
 

Senate Achievements in Education

• HB 1559, May 11, 2023: the Basic Needs Act. Establishes each public institution as well as the tribal college with a benefits navigator. Creates free and reduced-priced meal opportunities at some higher education institutions with a pilot program.
• HB 1238, May 9, 2023: expands access to free breakfast and lunch to more students.
• HB 1823, May 9, 2023: Strengthens the Washington student loan program to make high-demand advanced degree programs more accessible to more students.
• SB 5702, May 8, 2023: Expanded support for students experiencing homelessness and those who experienced foster care during initial schooling years. Allows all CTCs and public 4-year institutions to participate in the housing and assistance pilot program.
• SB 5048, May 4, 2023: Eliminates course fees for College in the High School, increasing accessibility to more students.
• SB 5257, May 4, 2023: guarantees at least 30 minutes of recess per day to all elementary school students and clearly outlines that recess should not be withheld as a disciplinary action or punishment.
• HB 1289, April 25, 2023: strengthens the Opportunity Scholarship and the Rural Jobs programs with strong state funding contributions.
• HB 1658, April 20, 2023: grants the ability for students aged 16+ to earn elective credit for participating in paid work experience opportunities.
• SB 5079, March 30, 2023: increases transparency into tuition fees and their adjustments.
• The operating budget for 2023-25 provided a total of $2.9 billion in new spending for Washington education, including:
  • $417 million – special education
  • $85 million – access to free meals
  • $90 million – low-interest graduate student loans

Technology and media are some of the fastest growing and most unknown sectors in our world today. Children are faced with an increasingly deep digital world that comes with risks, complexities, and structures. Media literacy and digital citizenship are ways to help everyone learn more about the growing technology that our society relies on. Online safety and understanding is crucial to making sure children and adults alike can use technology to its benefit while avoiding its dangers. Washington has been a leader in technology and I have made it a goal of mine to make it a leader in the safety of that technology as well.
 

Senate Achievements in Media

• Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship Ambassador Program, 2022: funding to facilitate training and networking opportunities for teachers and teacher-librarians to work together, share ideas, and innovate technology learning.
• Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship grant, 2021: support for teachers developing media literacy and tech use curricula through collaboration and sharing that work with other teachers and students.
• SB 5449, April 20, 2017: a first-in-the-nation law to include more effective technology use and media literacy learning for students.
• SB 6273, March 29, 2016: encouraging discussion and education in online safety, technology use, and digital citizenship in Washington public schools.