Legislative Priorities & Accomplishments
Public Safety
We must tackle the public safety crisis in our community. Everyone deserves a fast and effective response when they call 9-11. In the past session, we passed a series of fixes to policing that will strengthen the ability of law enforcement to keep our community safe and arrest dangerous criminals. I led the Senate on expanding community policing through programs like Safe Streets, and will continue working across the aisle to improve these laws and adequately fund public safety.
Affordability
These are challenging times for our country. We must do more to address the affordability crisis, from rising housing costs pricing out seniors and working families alike, to the price at the pump and everywhere in-between. It is unfair to allow working class families and people on fixed incomes to shoulder rising costs on their own.
Jobs
I got my start in politics fighting for working class people and have made that the focal point throughout my years of service. I helped fight for a higher minimum wage and for greater access to training and union apprenticeships. I will continue to be a voice for the people in the Senate and fight for policies that improve job prospects for working class people in our district. Including the many military families that call our district home.
Elective Office
Vice President Pro Tempore, Washington State Senate, 2018-present
Senator, Washington State Senate, District 29, 2010-present
Candidate, Washington State Senate, District 29, 2018
Representative, Washington State House of Representatives, 1992-2010
Current Legislative Committees
Member, Health and Long Term Care Committee
Member, Joint Committee on Veterans' & Military Affairs
Member, Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight
Vice Chair, Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee
Member, Legislative Oral History Advisory Committee
Member, Select Committee on Pension Policy
Member, Ways and Means Committee
Awards, Recognitions & Certificates
1993 WSLC Rep. of the Year
1996 WA Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, crystal free standing
1997 Voc. Tech. Education
1997 WSCFF Honorary Firefighter
1998 WSLC Rep. of the Year
1999 UW Hearing Research Ctr.
1999 WA St. Patrol, free standing
1999 WA Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, crystal free standing
2000 Paralyzed Veterans
2000 Bates Tech. Col. for HB 3077
2001 WA State Nurses Assn., Leg. of the Year
2001 NCSL San Antonio
2001 Enduring Spirit, firefighter figuring
2001 WPPW
2002 WMF Small Business Incubator
2002 WA State Council on Problem Gambling
2002 WSLC Rep. of the Year
2003 WA State School Retiree’s, Excellence Award
2003 Assn. of Plumbers, Pipefitters & Sprinkler fitters
2003 America in Solidarity, pledge
2003 WA Coalition for Tribal Self- Reliance
2004 Tacoma TEA Cert. of Appreciation
2004 WFSE George Masten Courage Award
2004 UAW
2004 WA State School Retiree’s Assn.
2004 UW TA’s & R’s
2005 Jobs with Justice
2005 SPEEA, Friends of SPEEA
2005 Distinguished Supporter of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies
2007 WA State School Retirees Association, Legislative Excellence Award
Professional Experience
Former Business Representative/Secretary-Treasurer, Local 81, United Food and Commercial Worker's Union
Labor Educator, Bates Vocational Technical Institute, 1985-1989
Coordinator, Dislocated Worker Program, United Way of Pierce County, 1983
Visiting Professor, Pacific Lutheran University, 1980-1981
Instructor, University of Oregon, 1976-1979
Civic, and other Memberships
Member, Franklin Pierce Vocational Advisory Committee, 1995-present
Board Member, Tacoma/Pierce County Family Counseling, 1995-present
Delegate, Pierce County Central Labor Council, 1981-present
Member, Pierce County Labor Council, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
Member, Advisory Board, Harold E. LeMay Auto Museum
Visiting Committee Member, Harry Bridges Labor Studies Center
Former Chair, Labor and Workforce Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislators
Trustee, Pierce County Community Services Agency
Trustee, Washington State History Museum
Assistant Coach, South Tacoma Youth Soccer Association, 1986-1992