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Age: 52 Occupation: Administrative Assistant to the Okanogan County Prosecutor Town of residence: Tonasket Party: Republican
What can the state do to get more affordable housing?
As a solution to District 7’s housing shortage, I propose a multi-faceted approach that combines increasing housing supply, promoting attainable housing options, and implementing sustainable and common-sense housing policies.
We need to incentivize and streamline the process for developers and property owners to construct new housing units, single family homes, and ADU’s. This can be achieved by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and speeding up the approval process for building permits.
Implementing sustainable housing policies is vital to address the long-term impact of our housing shortage. Encouraging the construction of energy-efficient buildings and promoting the use of varied energy sources can help reduce the environmental footprint of new housing developments.
Addressing District 7’s housing shortage requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on increasing housing supply, promoting attainability, and implementing sustainable practices. By implementing these strategies simultaneously, we can create a more vibrant community where everyone has access to safe housing.
How should the state fund roads in light of the declining gas tax revenues?
Shift the tax collected on the sale of automobiles from the general fund to the transportation fund.
Spend less on non-core transportation functions.
Gas tax revenue is protected by the 18th amendment and can only be used for highway purposes.
Use tolls on major new highway and bridge projects to help cover construction costs.
Convert existing HOV lanes to High-Occupancy Toll Lanes. This is being done on I-405. WSDOT should also look at doing this on I-5.
Revisit the annual fee on electric vehicles.
Eventually, as gas tax revenues begin to decline due to electric vehicles, the state will need to look for alternative revenue sources. In any case, it is essential that any new source of revenue extracted from highway users be dedicated to highway purposes. Otherwise, the legislature will again create a situation like we are in today with the carbon-emissions fee that added nearly 50 cents per gallon to the price of gas and diesel fuel, but very little of that revenue is used to address highway maintenance or new construction needs.
What is your most important issue?
My most important issue is not what is important to me, but what concerns the people of the 7th district most.
I have experience working with land and water issues, have been a small business owner, farmer, and rancher, and raised my kids with 7th district values, love, and dedication. And, more than anything I want them to be safe.
In the last 5 years I have worked in the criminal justice system and that is where I believe most of my passion lies. Keeping our communities safe, fentanyl off the streets, offenders being held accountable, and supporting victims through recovery is probably also the most important issues I have heard from the people of the 7th district and definitely a passion I share.
