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