The current funding formula may work well for people in King County, but our schools still need a lot of help. As Senator, I’ll push for more resources to lower class size and bring state dollars for facility improvements and re-hiring staff and educators. Our kids need more options for after-school and summer programs. This is especially true in rural communities, where activities are limited and can be costly. Now is a time to come together to invest in the future by caring for our youth.

When students graduate high school, most won’t go to a four-year college. We need to expand opportunities for those who don’t by increasing access to community and technical education and apprenticeships in the trades so that students can have family-wage jobs with good benefits.

The price of child care is squeezing the budgets of young families. It’s hurting our economy when workers have to stay home to take care of their children instead of entering the workforce. I want the state to take a more active role in improving the access, cost, and quality of childcare for low-income families.