Priorities for Washington
Housing and Homelessness
I was born into low-income housing to a single mother, and have been homeless as a child. I know some of the barriers families face and what life is like for so many others in my community in similar circumstances. Poverty and homelessness aren’t just problems, they’re symptoms of something greater that we must address. Our solutions must be varied and comprehensive in scope because safe and affordable housing is a human right.
I believe the role of government is to help people. The market isn’t working to fix our housing and homelessness crises, and it was never designed to, so we need to make that investment. I support Housing First policies, tenant protections, public and workforce housing, a state public bank with low-income mortgage options, and increased resources for local governments for shelter, hygiene facilities, and wrap around services. I also support better access and funding for mental health and substance abuse programs, as well as incentivizing the mental health provider workforce pipeline. We need to be partnering with our local leaders on addressing their specific regional needs, and all of us must work together and increase this state’s housing stock across all levels. Tackling the homelessness and housing affordability crisis must address the systemic causes of these issues for them to be actionable.
Safe Communities
Endorsed by Everett Firefighters and various community advocates, Mary believes we all deserve livable, safe, and healthier communities.
We can help Washingtonians by making critical investments in health care, and supporting holistic approaches to public safety that make our community safer, healthier, and more affordable. With more people than ever struggling with untreated mental health issues, falling into poverty, living in their cars or on the street, or just struggling to make ends meet or living paycheck to paycheck, we need comprehensive approaches. Mary is thrilled to witness the implementation of 988, but there is much more work to be done, especially with the lack of mental health providers.
In addition to incentivizing that workforce development and pipeline, we need to work on breaking down the agency silos and barriers, creating greater integration of services for better access, create/implement judicial exit plans, and bring relevant voices to the table – those with lived experience, first responders, social workers, mental health experts, and housing providers among others.
Workers, Jobs, & Our Economy
We need more people in Olympia fighting for workers, their rights, and their livelihoods. Mary is that advocate. Mary personally knows the value of unions and was lifted out of poverty in part because of one. Mary also knows that if we want to have a viable economy and an equitable and thriving community, we must grow and support living-wage jobs in this region. By supporting our skilled labor force pipeline, both our regional and social infrastructure, port capacity, light rail expansion, and essential amenities like schools and childcare, Everett and surrounding areas will be an attractive destination for growing industries, investments, and green companies. Mary prides herself on strong stakeholdering processes and making sure that policy in Olympia prioritizes workers, families, and our community.