Investing in our Youth & Families
Our youth are our next generation of leaders, innovators, and job creators. We need to foster an environment where every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education, is encouraged to take risks and learn from challenges, and has the support they need to thrive. Creating positive pathways for young people means investing in their education, strengthening opportunities for stability, and ensuring they have safe and supportive environments in which to grow. I am proud to have sponsored multiple pieces of legislation that work to give our children the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. By investing in young people today, we are building a stronger Washington for the generations to come.
HB 1651; Providing more teacher pathways (2025).
Our nation is facing a teacher shortage. We need quality and component teachers who are ready to take on the transformative work of educating our youth. This legislation creates new pathways for teachers to enter the field.
HB 1128; Establishing the childcare workforces standards board (2026).
High-quality child care allows parents to work and provide for their families while giving children a safe and supportive place to learn and grow. Yet low wages, limited workplace protections, and few opportunities for career growth are driving dedicated caregivers out of the profession. This legislation brings employers and employees together to address fair compensation and workplace standards, strengthening the child care workforce and giving families greater confidence in the care their children receive.
HB 1556; Expanding waivers for High School completers at Community/Technical Colleges (2025).
Every child deserves the opportunity to pursue a college education, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. This legislation expands pathways for students to access community and technical college courses at a young age, helping them pursue higher education without the burden of financial barriers.
Protecting our Immigrant Community
Our immigrant communities are an essential part of what makes our nation strong. The diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives they bring have enriched our communities and contributed to our shared success. Immigrant families are hardworking and dedicated, striving to build better lives for themselves and their loved ones, something we can all relate to.
Today, immigrant communities across Washington face growing uncertainty and fear. Families have been separated, people have been treated unfairly, and too many lives have been impacted. We must stand with our immigrant communities and work to ensure that every family in Washington is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
HB 2464; Increasing transparency, law enforcement, and reporting requirements at our private detention facilities (2026).
I am appalled that one of the largest federal detention centers sits in our backyard, with too little transparency and too few protections for the immigrants held there. This legislation strengthens accountability by requiring new reporting standards, increasing transparency, and improving law enforcement oversight and response. While the legislation failed to pass I am committed to continue the fight to increase our oversight on our federal detention cents.
HB 2105; The Immigrant Worker Protect Act (2026)
During a time of increased federal attacks, our immigrant workers deserve to not only be respected but protected. This legislation provides warning of I-9 documentation requests, giving workers more transparency and protection over the federal governments collection of their data.
SB 5855; Banning the use of masks for law enforcement individuals (2026).
Law enforcement officers should be identifiable and accountable when interacting with the public. This legislation prohibits officers from concealing their identities with facial coverings while performing their duties, with limited exceptions for undercover operations and necessary protective equipment. By increasing transparency and accountability, this legislation helps ensure that Washington communities can clearly identify the officers they interact with.
Putting Working Families First
Washington’s working families are facing real economic instability. From federal cuts to layoffs across the tech sector, families are struggling as prices rise while wages remain relatively stagnant. At the same time, families are seeking assistance as governments face pressure to make cuts. Washington has been a leader in standing up for working families by expanding access to essential services and creating new pathways to support. We are working to reform our state’s regressive tax system and make progressive investments in education, child care, and health care so that Washington families have the opportunity to thrive.
The Millionaires Tax; Places a 9.9% tax on individuals or households whose income exceeds $1 million per year.
No child should go hungry, every Washingtonian should have access to health care, and child care should be affordable, safe, and accessible. The revenue projected from the millionaires tax can help make these priorities possible by investing in the services Washington families rely on. At a time when governments are looking for what they can take away, we are choosing to make bold investments in the health, stability, and future of our state. A first attempt at restructuring our state’s regressive tax code, the millionaires tax also provides relief to working families through tax breaks on small businesses and daily necessities such as diapers.
HB 2475; Increasing multi-language access to state services (2026)
Language should never be a barrier to accessing state services. This legislation expands access to forms and services in several of the most commonly spoken languages in Washington, helping bridge the gap between non-English-speaking communities and the resources they need.
SB 5847 / HB 2218; Improving access to medical care for injured workers (2026).
When workers are injured on the job, they deserve timely access to the medical care they need, without unnecessary barriers. This legislation helps ensure injured workers have clear information about their right to choose a medical provider and strengthens protections for accessing appropriate care throughout recovery. Timely, high-quality treatment can help workers heal, return to their jobs, and continue supporting their families.