Running for State House in LD22.
/ic8hp7iz0zvqyeudh438eqomyvsq)
The cost-of-living crisis is particularly severe in Washington, and it's no big secret why: Corporate money is buying influence in our government. That influence has created tax codes and government subsidies that protect and enrich the wealthy, and working families pay for it in rent, premiums, and gas prices that outpace their wages every year.
Jamie doesn't take corporate money. Not from PSE, not from Weyerhaeuser, not from insurance companies or private equity firms who buy up our rental housing, not from any corporation. Every policy below stems from that decision.
Jamie answers to the people, not PACs.
Housing & Rent
We're in a cost-of-living crisis, and the legislature's main response was a law letting landlords raise rent up to 9.7% per year whilst simultaneously encouraging the demolition of affordable housing and construction of luxury units most people can't afford. Rent has outpaced wage growth for 15 years straight; nearly half of Washington renter households are now cost-burdened.
Jamie will fight for:
Statewide Caps on Rent Increases: Restrict annual rent increases to the rate of inflation, with no exemptions for corporate landlords or new luxury construction.
Repealing the Rent Control Ban (RCW 35.21.830): Abolish the corporate lobby's state preemption law and restore local municipal authority over rent freezes.
State-Funded Housing Development & Community Land Trusts: Establish a public housing developer to build mixed-income, affordable homes entirely separate from the speculative market via Community Land Trust (CLT) ownership.
Universal Housing First & Vocational Training: Provide immediate, requisite-free permanent supportive housing to end chronic homelessness, saving lives and cutting costs (emergency services are massively expensive). Pair housing-first policy with access to free vocational training, union apprenticeships, and a statewide public works program paying prevailing wages.
Shift to a Land Value Tax (LVT): Exclude improvements and construction (buildings) from property taxes, shifting the tax burden onto speculative land hoarders. Private equity firms will have no incentive to sit on vacant lots, developers will be incentivized to build.
Childcare
Childcare is the most underappreciated service Washington should provide to its people, and it is the key to creating a more equitable democracy. So many working people have to sacrifice their income to make sure their children are being taken care of, and that's not a sacrifice they should have to make. Free, safe, effective childcare should be provided to all families until their children are in elementary school, at which point the state should provide extensive funding for after-school programs that end at the end of a standard work day.
The lack of extensive state-provided childcare disproportionately affects single parents (72% of which are women in Washington State), and when a multi-parent household has to make the decision to sacrifice one parent's career, it's usually a woman. Jamie may not be able to fully rectify the unhealthy patriarchal societal structure we live in, but he can certainly take a big step towards that goal: by fighting for free and effective childcare.
Healthcare Costs
For too long, Washington has been under the thumb of massive health insurance companies. Jamie's opponent, Lisa Parshley, received 22% of her funding from the corporate medical industry. Data has shown for decades that the moment someone takes money from an industry, they lose the ability to regulate that industry. The data holds true.
Jamie is committed to fighting for Universal Healthcare, where every single person is provided comprehensive health insurance by the state with NO co-pays, NO deductibles, with NO exceptions. Universal Healthcare would cover medical, dental, mental health, and reproductive health; and would also cover the cost of ambulances, medication, medical supplies, and would allow you to visit the doctor as many times as you want every year.
How do we pay for Universal Healthcare? Well, as it turns out... we already do. The state and its people spend roughly $55,100,000,000 ($55.1 billion) on healthcare every year via medicaid, medicare, and insurance premiums. A huge portion of this money goes to insurance cartels. A Universal Healthcare system would be paid for by redirecting these funds, and because insurance cartels would be cut out of the equation, it would cost workers and their employers significantly LESS than what they're currently paying - despite all of the coverage improvements.
Gas & Utilities
Gas is a huge financial stressor for Washingtonians. Jamie is committed to long-term investment in expanded public transit infrastructure (including trains), but that's the long-term. People are struggling right now with the cost of gas. About $1.11 on every gallon of gas is paid into two different gas taxes, both of which exclusively impact the consumer at the pump, and do not affect gas companies at all. Jamie will fight to repeal these regressive taxes and enforce far stronger antitrust regulations and price-gouging regulations on oil companies, who's profit margins are almost four times as high as they should be based on historical data. The loss of tax revenue will be recaptured by ending the billionaire tax exemption (as linked below)!
Jamie also detests Puget Sound Energy. His dislike of PSE is an important difference to highlight between him and his opponent: His opponent happens to be bankrolled by PSE. Jamie will fight to end PSE's political lobbying, and fight to strengthen the people's rights to vote for Public Utility Districts, which can be held accountable to the community. Jamie wholly rejects corporate PACs and lobbying money, and will fight for the working people every chance he gets.
*Note: due to the nature of a two-democrat-race, many organizations' bylaws and procedures require them to endorse the incumbent - unfortunately including many local unions. Jamie is extremely pro-union, and is communicating and collaborating with as many local unions as possible, despite their structural limitations!
/way7ikhswe19l0xuf01qeeg7a4yd)
Environment and Climate Council of the Washington State Democratic Party
The ECC wishes to advance policies that safeguard Washington’s natural landscapes and support meaningful action on climate. They advocate for practical, science-driven solutions that help our state both mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.
/enn4aa63ghsdpk7ozao4vf5c4iv2)
Washington State Stonewall Democrats
The Washington State Stonewall Democrats only endorse candidates who make a commitment to justice, equity, and the protection of LGBTQ+ communities across Washington state. They are proud to stand with candidates who demonstrate integrity, fairness, and a deep respect for the diverse communities they serve.
/obkvk47m39o6g64yagjsqe8p3u95)
Humane Voters of Washington
The Humane Voters of Washington's mission is to elect leaders who will fiercely protect animals and advance humane legislation.
/oxl4oqxpdcfcjfwg7nmf4nsm5g9i)
Progressive Voters Network
The Progressive Voter's Network is a grassroots effort to highlight progressive candidates dedicated to changing our political, social, and economic landscape FOR GOOD.