Dear Neighbor,
I hope that you and your family are holding up okay under these difficult circumstances.
Never before have we faced so many challenges at once, with a raging pandemic threatening our health and our lives, a sharp economic downturn bringing severe hardship to so many, and a national uprising over race and policing forcing us to reckon with our history of injustice.
Summer’s glorious weather is upon us but there are no Little League games, concerts, parades or fireworks, and crowded stadiums, restaurants, salons, gyms and retail shops are a distant hope.
Phrases such as “social distancing” and “contact tracing” and “PPE” have entered our lexicon as we struggle to keep our kids engaged in remote learning and to sustain our small businesses. I hope we will emerge stronger from the COVID pandemic, but we still have a long way to go in these stressful and uncertain times.

Our legislative work has intensified during the current crisis and I’ve been busy helping our first responders get the PPE they need, helping retired medical professionals get credentials to work in the hospitals, and helping countless people navigate through the bureaucracy to get their unemployment benefits, among many other demands. This is such a challenging time for all of us. Although the legislative session seems like it was ages ago, I have continued to pass important measures to reduce deaths and injuries from domestic violence, sexual assault and drunk driving, saving literally thousands of lives. As Chair of the House Public Safety Committee, with expertise in criminal law and the justice system, I’ve worked hard to keep people safe in our homes, schools and public spaces.

Bringing Justice Back to The Justice System

My current intense focus is responding to the national call for action to reform police practices and to address racial bias in the justice system. In addition, as Chair of the Washington State Criminal Sentencing Task Force, I am working hard on comprehensive reforms to enhance public safety while also making our justice system more equitable and more effective. In the upcoming legislative sessions we will see dramatic, broad-sweeping reforms in policing and criminal sentencing policies. Throughout my service in the Legislature I’ve been able to work effectively for common-sense solutions that matter to Eastside families, particularly in support of our great public schools and expanding opportunities for higher education, as well as strengthening our response to the growing problem of mental illness. I strive to rise above partisanship to forge practical solutions with a common-sense approach. I’m not beholden to the party machine or the thundering herd of lobbyists in Olympia. I listen to you and I speak with an independent voice, using my knowledge and experience to get things done. I remain accessible and responsive and I keep my focus on preserving and enhancing our high quality of life here. It’s difficult to describe in words the sense of responsibility that comes with serving in the Legislature. I truly appreciate what an honor it is to serve you! Please share your comments and concerns with me and I’ll continue to be in touch. Please stay safe and healthy. When the election rolls around I hope I can count on your vote this year. Thanks very much for your support!

No Baby Kissing This Year

It’s now campaign season, and even during these unprecedented times our elections are proceeding uninterrupted and without delay. The pandemic has made this campaign different from all the rest, as I am not able to visit the voters at their doors.
Still, I need to hear from you. Listening to you is a critical part of my job. You keep me updated on what’s going on in our area, and by gathering your input I can become more effective for you at the State Capitol. I want to make sure I’m in tune with your values and your priorities so I can represent you well. One way or another, even if I’m not able to visit you personally at your door, I will be reaching out to get your input and inform my work in representing you. Please sign up at the top of this page to get on our mailing list. We will be in touch!