Issues

Economy
Our world is rapidly changing. From international issues to the local cul-de-sac, the coming years will be different for ourselves and our children. While we are facing the worst economy since the Great Depression, we also continue to face unrest in the Middle East and competition for our current jobs from a growing economy in China and India. These issues impact our everyday lives at home, work and school, Yet the current legislature continues to develop fiscal polices as if we were not facing this reality.

The State budget decisions in the next few years will set a tone for the decade to come. While there are over 100 issues before the legislature each year, nothing impacts our everyday lives more than the WA State's economic policy. This year the Democrats with a super majority in both the House and Senate are debating over how to raise $800 million in taxes.

But here's the real story being ignored. Because of their spending policies, WA State will face an $8 billion deficit when session starts next year. Bow wave spending programs created in the last few years will need to be funded next year and beyond. If the Democrats with a super majority cannot make appropriate cuts for this budget, what are they going to do next year? This is an issue that cannot be ignored and it is simply not going away. But this year is only the tip of the iceberg.

To be very frank, the next 4 years are going to be very ugly. In my 20 years of being around the state legislature, next year's budget is on track to be the worse I've ever seen. There are no more one time federal government or rainy day funds to patch the holes in the dike as they did this year. If the Democrats cannot agree on major policy changes this year needing $800 million, what will they do next year when they need $8 billion? The title to an article in Everett Herald during the special session sums it up best..."Legislators just can't make tough budget decisions"

Education
As stated in our WA State Constitution, education is our paramount duty. Five years ago I served on the WA Learns Steering Committee, a 1 1/2 year in depth look at education policy in our state. Keeping the same course is not acceptable, we must make dramatic changesto our education system.

The jobs of the future will require a highly trained and educated work force. China and India are producing 8-10 times the number of college graduates in the technology and engineering fields.

We must provide a reliable path of a quality education for their future. One step to doing this is to trade our textbooks for laptops in our classrooms. providing access for a quality higher education so our children can compete in a global marketplace for tomorrows jobs is a paramount priority.