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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • PhD, Philosophy, University of Oregon, 1979
  • Attended, London School of Economics, 1972-1974
  • MA, History, University of Oregon, 1969
  • BA, History, University of Portland, 1966

Professional Experience

  • PhD, Philosophy, University of Oregon, 1979
  • Attended, London School of Economics, 1972-1974
  • MA, History, University of Oregon, 1969
  • BA, History, University of Portland, 1966
  • Former Business Representative/Secretary-Treasurer, Local 81, United Food and Commercial Worker's Union
  • Labor Educator, Bates Vocational Technical Institute, 1985-1989
  • Coordinator, Dislocated Worker Program, United Way of Pierce County, 1983
  • Visiting Professor, Pacific Lutheran University, 1980-1981
  • Instructor, University of Oregon, 1976-1979

Political Experience

  • PhD, Philosophy, University of Oregon, 1979
  • Attended, London School of Economics, 1972-1974
  • MA, History, University of Oregon, 1969
  • BA, History, University of Portland, 1966
  • Former Business Representative/Secretary-Treasurer, Local 81, United Food and Commercial Worker's Union
  • Labor Educator, Bates Vocational Technical Institute, 1985-1989
  • Coordinator, Dislocated Worker Program, United Way of Pierce County, 1983
  • Visiting Professor, Pacific Lutheran University, 1980-1981
  • Instructor, University of Oregon, 1976-1979
  • Vice President Pro Tempore, Washington State Senate, 2018-present
  • Senator, Washington State Senate, District 29, 2010-present
  • Candidate, Washington State Senate, District 29, 2018
  • Representative, Washington State House of Representatives, 1992-2010

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Beer and Wine Regulation Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Member, Commerce, Labor, and Sports Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Health and Long-Term Care Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Member, Health Care Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Member, Rules Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Member, Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee, Washington State Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Health and Long Term Care Committee

Member, Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight

Vice Chair, Labor and Commerce Committee

Chair, Select Committee on Pension Policy

Member, Veterans' and Military Affairs

Member, Ways and Means Committee

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • PhD, Philosophy, University of Oregon, 1979
  • Attended, London School of Economics, 1972-1974
  • MA, History, University of Oregon, 1969
  • BA, History, University of Portland, 1966
  • Former Business Representative/Secretary-Treasurer, Local 81, United Food and Commercial Worker's Union
  • Labor Educator, Bates Vocational Technical Institute, 1985-1989
  • Coordinator, Dislocated Worker Program, United Way of Pierce County, 1983
  • Visiting Professor, Pacific Lutheran University, 1980-1981
  • Instructor, University of Oregon, 1976-1979
  • Vice President Pro Tempore, Washington State Senate, 2018-present
  • Senator, Washington State Senate, District 29, 2010-present
  • Candidate, Washington State Senate, District 29, 2018
  • Representative, Washington State House of Representatives, 1992-2010
  • Member, Franklin Pierce Vocational Advisory Committee, 1995-present
  • Board Member, Tacoma/Pierce County Family Counseling, 1995-present
  • Delegate, Pierce County Central Labor Council, 1981-present
  • Member, Pierce County Labor Council, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, present
  • Member, Advisory Board, Harold E. LeMay Auto Museum
  • Visiting Committee Member, Harry Bridges Labor Studies Center
  • Former Chair, Labor and Workforce Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislators
  • Trustee, Pierce County Community Services Agency
  • Trustee, Washington State History Museum
  • Assistant Coach, South Tacoma Youth Soccer Association, 1986-1992
Policy Positions

Washington Gubernatorial Election 1996 National Political Awareness Test

Abortion

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

1. Abortions should always be legally available.
- X

2. Abortions should be legally available when the procedure is completed within the first trimester of pregnancy.
- No Answer

3. Abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered.
- No Answer

4. Abortions should be legal only when the life of the woman is endangered.
- No Answer

5. Abortions should always be illegal.
- No Answer

6. Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental notification requirements.
- No Answer

7. Should Washington government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services?
- Yes

Affirmative Action/Civil Rights

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action and civil rights in Washington.

1. The Washington government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sectors.
- X

2. The Washington government should provide no affirmative action programs.
- No Answer

3. Specific, adjustable percentages of contracts for state work should be awarded to minority or women-owned businesses.
- X

4. Do you believe that the Washington government should recognize same-sex marriages?
- No

5. Do you believe that sexual orientation should be added to Washington's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

Children & Families

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding children & family issues in Washington.

1. Increase state funding for programs to prevent teen pregnancy.
- X

2. Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
- X

3. Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
- X

4. Allow same-sex couples to become adoptive/foster parents.
- No Answer

Crime

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime in Washington.

1. Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
- X

2. Expand and promote "community policing" programs.
- X

3. Support "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve their full sentences with no chance of parole.
- X

4. Expand the use of the death penalty for additional circumstances relating to murder.
- No Answer

5. Oppose the death penalty.
- No Answer

6. Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- No Answer

7. Require mandatory life sentences for third-time, violent felons.
- X

8. Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
- X

9. Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentences.
- No Answer

10. Decriminalize the possession and private use of certain illegal drugs such as marijuana.
- No Answer

11. Strengthen penalties and sentences associated with drug-related crimes.
- X

12. Implement chain gangs in which prison inmates work together in chained work groups.
- No Answer

13. Implement restrictions on living conditions of state prison inmates (e.g. limited visitation, television, smoking, etc.).
- X

14. Require prison inmates to help pay for their health care services.
- X

15. Support laws requiring restitution to crime victims at the personal expense of the criminal.
- X

Crime (Juvenile)

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) to address juvenile crime in Washington.

1. Prosecute juveniles who commit murder or other serious, violent crimes as adults.
- X

2. Provide state funding for military-style "boot camps" for juvenile first-time felons.
- X

3. Increase state funding for local community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
- X

4. Support state government funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans and job training and placement.
- X

5. Support curfews for juveniles in high crime areas.
- X

6. Increase state funds for programs that provide training and employment for disadvantaged youths.
- X

7. Provide tax credits for businesses that contribute to job training programs for low-income youth (Youthbuilt program).
- X

Economic Development

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Washington's economic development.

1. Increase state funds for improving the state's transportation system, including major roadways, railways and airports.
- X

2. Provide low interest loans and tax credits for expanding, start-up, or relocating businesses.
- X

3. Expand legalized gambling (either state lottery, slot machines or casino gambling).
- No Answer

4. Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
- X

5. Remove state government controls or caps from wages, prices, rents, profits, production and interest rates.
- No Answer

6. Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
- No Answer

7. Increase state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers.
- X

8. Increase Washington state's minimum wage to $5.30 per hour.
- X

Education

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Washington's education system.

1. Increase state funds for professional development and salaries of public school faculty.
- X

2. Endorse teacher-led voluntary school prayer in public schools.
- No Answer

3. Encourage private or corporate investment in certain public school programs.
- X

4. Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious, technical).
- No Answer

5. Implement charter schools where teachers and other professionals receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
- No Answer

6. Require the use of state-wide achievement standards for all state public schools.
- X

7. Emphasize local control of education as long as the school district meets state health and safety standards.
- X

8. Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
- X

9. Support sex education programs which stress safe sexual practices.
- X

10. Provide state funding for programs which increase Washington students' access to the Internet and other telecommunications networks.
- X

11. Increase state funds for higher education.
- X

Environment

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Washington's environment and natural resources.

1. Enact tougher environmental standards to encourage the sale of cleaner burning fuels throughout Washington.
- X

2. Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for polluting industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
- No Answer

3. Require a cost/benefit analysis be completed on the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
- X

4. Require the state to reimburse citizens when state-sponsored environmental regulations limit the use of privately- owned land.
- No Answer

5. Continue to provide funding for recycling programs in Washington.
- X

6. Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
- No Answer

7. Suspend Washington's participation in unfunded, federally mandated environmental protection legislation.
- No Answer

8. Maintain minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations.
- No Answer

Government Reform

Do you support the current laws which limit the terms of the following Washington officials?

1. State Senators (8 years, to take effect in 2002)
- Undecided

2. State Representatives (6 years, to take effect in 1998)
- Undecided

3. Governor (8 out of every 14 years)
- Yes

4. Do you support amending the U.S. Constitution to require an annual balanced federal budget?
- No

5. Do you support requiring limits on individual contributions to state legislative candidates?
- Yes

6. Do you support requiring limits on PAC contributions to state legislative candidates?
- Yes

7. Do you support requiring limits on corporate contributions to state legislative candidates?
- Yes

8. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

9. Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
- Yes

10. Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
- No

11. Do you support legislation to establish English as the official and recognized language of Washington?
- No

12. Do you support Washington's law which prohibits smoking at all state government workplaces?
- Yes

13. Do you support requiring limits on the number of lobbyists that state agencies and local governments are allowed to send to the Capitol?
- No

Gun

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

1. Support expanding the nationwide federal ban on the public sale of assault weapons to include all forms of semi-automatic weapons.
- No Answer

2. Increase state restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.
- No Answer

3. Maintain all state registration procedures and state restrictions on possessing firearms.
- X

4. Ease state procedures and restrictions on the purchase and registration of firearms.
- No Answer

5. Repeal all state bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from obtaining firearms.
- No Answer

6. Allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms.
- X

Health Care

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning Washington's health care system.

1. Expand state funding for pre-natal and infant care programs available in the state, including immunizations.
- X

2. Provide tax incentives to assist small businesses in providing health care to their employees.
- X

3. Ensure that Washington citizens have access to basic health care, through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
- X

4. Guaranteeing medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
- No Answer

5. Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- No Answer

6. Support the current law that requires health insurers of Washington residents to accept any applicant, regardless of pre-existing conditions.
- X

7. Support legislation requiring health insurance providers to cover certain medical services (e.g. 48 hr. hospital stay for mothers after childbirth).
- X

8. Do you believe that terminally ill individuals should have the right to end their lives?
- No

State Budget

Indicate what changes you support (if any) concerning levels of funding for the following categories. Select one option only.

1. Abortion
- Maintain Status

2. Affirmative Action
- Maintain Status

3. AIDS Programs
- Maintain Status

4. Education
- Greatly Increase

5. Environment
- Maintain Status

6. Health care
- Slightly Increase

7. Law enforcement
- Greatly Increase

8. Welfare
- Maintain Status

State Taxes

Please indicate the changes you support (if any) concerning Washington's tax levels. Select one option only.

1. Alcohol Taxes
- Maintain Status

2. Business Taxes
- Slightly Decrease

3. Capital gains taxes
- Maintain Status

4. Property taxes
- Greatly Decrease

5. Sales taxes
- Maintain Status

6. State Fees
- Maintain Status

7. Would you support a state income tax on incomes other than interest and dividend incomes?
- No

8. If an income tax were enacted in Washington state, would you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
- No

Welfare

Please indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Washington's welfare system.

1. Provide child care services to welfare recipients who work or attend school.
- X

2. Allow welfare recipients to work and still receive state-funded health care and child care (if needed) until they become self-sufficient.
- X

3. Require that able-bodied welfare recipients receive job training, attend school, or work in order to receive welfare benefits.
- X

4. Require that unwed mothers under the age of 18 attend school and live with a parent or guardian (if possible) to receive welfare benefits.
- X

5. Limit the welfare benefits given to recipients if they have additional children.
- No Answer

6. Provide two-parent families living in poverty the same welfare benefits as one-parent families.
- No Answer

7. Eliminate government-funded welfare and advocate privately-funded assistance to people in need.
- No Answer

8. Impose a two-year limit on welfare benefits for recipients who are able to work.
- No Answer

9. Place a lifetime limit of five years on the length of time a person can receive welfare benefits in Washington.
- X

Legislative Priorities

Explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected to the Washington State Legislature. If any of your priorities will require additional government funding, explain how you intend to obtain the additional funding.
- My two priorities for the 1997 legislative session are full funding of K-12 Education and juvenile justice reform. The first goal is a constitutional mandate of the state. I would find funding for juvenile justice reform both through a reallocation of corrections budget dollars as well as current revenues.

State Bills