Jobs and the economy

Southwest Washington has been hit particularly hard by the downturn in the economy, and I believe we must do more to help those who are struggling. Already, I have worked in a bipartisan fashion in the Senate to pass meaningful reforms to our unemployment insurance and worker's compensation systems. There is more work to be done, but you can count on me to fight for your job and to improve our economy:

• I support providing more training and education for displaced workers.

• I support reducing taxes on small businesses, including the harmful and unfair B&O tax, so that they can hire new workers and stimulate our economy.

• I support regulatory stability and oppose excessive regulations that drive up costs.

Improving our schools

I belive in today's global economy our students must receive a first-rate education. I've worked with my colleagues to increase accountability, expand choice and prevent further cuts to our public schools. As our students prepare for an ever competitive and demanding global economy, here are my priorities:

• I support reforms that put more emphasis on classroom instruction and less on administrative bureaucracy.

• I support stronger accountability measures to ensure our students get the best education possible.

• I support giving principals more flexibility in managing their schools to reward success and address shortcomings.

• I support fully funding our public schools and giving parents more choice to remove their kids from underperforming schools and put them into a successful environment.

Holding the line on taxes and spending

There is a serious spending problem in Olympia. The majority party has racked up billions in debt and left us with a bill in the form of higher taxes. I've opposed this reckless spending and these job-killing tax increases, instead working with my colleagues to reduce spending as families are doing during this economic downturn. Working with a new governor, I believe we can put our state onto a path of fiscal sustainability:

• I will continue to fight against harmful tax increases.

• I co-sponsored the 2/3rd requirement to raise taxes, and will fight back attempts to undue this necessary taxpayer protection.

• I support requiring the legislature to pass six-year balanced budgets to get spending under control.

• I support the Rainy Day fund surplus account to protect against revenue fluctuations and unexpected emergencies.

A clean environment

I support responsible environmental policies that improve our quality of life and that of future generations. The health and safety of our families and communities will always be a major priority for me.

Reducing crime in our community

A couple of years ago, I passed an important bill called the Chelsea Harrison Act, to put away violent offenders who threaten our communities. Violent offenders should receive tough penalties, and our communties should have the resources necessary to protect our families.