Priorities – Elect Sharon Wylie

Our Priorities for Washington State

Since my appointment to this seat in 2011, we’ve made progress on a lot of important issues such as sex education, campaign finance reform, transportation, domestic abuse & sexual violence, but many issues still need attention. I represent many people who do not agree with each other or with me on these important topics, but when we treat each other with respect, great progress can be made.

This is an unprecedented time for all of us. As an elected leader at the state level I try to make the state operations that you deal with responsive and effective. Below are some of my priorities for the upcoming legislative sessions. If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Me.

PUBLIC SAFETY

To me, public safety means sufficiently trained law enforcement officers, attention to mental and physical health, a strong public health system, laws that respond to emerging needs, fair compensation for difficult work, and a mutual contract between the people who serve and the providers of public services problems that need to be solved.

In the state legislature I supported some of the nation’s best laws against human trafficking and support for survivors of domestic and sexual assault. I lobbied to make sure the new crime lab to process evidence was located here in Clark County. I support common sense gun laws, increasing law enforcement academy classes, better pay for state troopers, addiction court options, and the juvenile justice center. Most incarcerated people will return to the community and need job training, treatment, and programs to prevent recidivism. I hope to continue to address these issues. I will also continue to advocate for laws that create transparency and accountability for police violence that came out of difficult/honest discussions that included LE, parents of dead children, and public safety experts. In 2020, I joined the fight to pass Nikki’s Law and ensure that no one can excuse an assault or murder of a transgender person because of who they are. Together, we helped WA become the 10th state to prohibit defendants from claiming a defense based on panic over a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity… Click here to read more or leave a comment!

RACISM: OUR OBLIGATION TO HOLD ON TO PROGRESS

The pandemic gave us more time to consider what is important and the discussion about past wrongs and systemic racism, providing opportunity to change. I have learned that ensuring that we do right by all in our communities and not repeat the wrongs of the past is ongoing work that is never done. Each generation needs to understand the damage caused by racism, violence, sexism, bullying, and our obligation to hold on to progress. Here are some thoughts about this journey.

First, focusing only on property damage and looting in this context implies that a property crime is equivalent to hundreds of years of damage caused by slavery and racism. Attending our national history and personal racism does not mean we ignore other crimes. Focusing only on property crime tells people who live with fear and harm each day for themselves and their children that we care more about property than human pain and systemic racism. I want us to be more. I am a public figure entrusted with representing the people in my community and responsible for taking what action I can to right wrongs and make our state a better place. I have an obligation to speak up and be transparent. I know that… Click here to read more or leave a comment!

TAXES: FAIRNESS & A HEALTH ECONOMY

I have long been troubled by our tax system. Although I am like everyone else in that I hate to pay taxes, I believe in paying for good services that we need. Our business tax system is so out of date that we have around 700 tax preferences (some call them loopholes). Some are adjustments to avoid the negative impacts of our system on businesses we want to help, and some were granted to businesses with strong lobbying efforts, but all have an impact on the money for schools, safety net pro- grams, water and sewer systems, the criminal justice system, and much more. Change is not possible without many people working together to find a solution that works and that is acceptable to most. Many agree the system doesn’t work but few agree on a common solution… Click here to read more or leave a comment!

HEALTHCARE

Our state was the first in the country to establish a universal long term care program. Implementation was delayed to work out details and problems, but I am proud of the work to address a problem that will affect everyone. I will work hard to create a system that will help families take care of members who need care. Many will have this need.

I support the laws we have passed to ensure that reproductive healthcare is protected, no matter what the supreme court decides. I am against hurting pregnant people by having politicians second guess personal and medical decisions. We have had strong disagreements in our communities and a lot of misinformation around sexual health education in our schools… Click here to read more or make a comment!

PRIVACY & CYBERCRIME

As a longtime member of the Technology and Economic Development Committee, I was part of a team that worked to find the best solutions to protect people’s personal data, take action against bad actors, and to establish boundaries on how corporations can use data. There is a divide on how to do this, but it is not a partisan divide. What I learned is that we do need laws, but many do not properly understand the issue, or believe it’s too late to change the status quo. I believe that this is an essential task, and we must find a balance that will protect consumers while not stifling innovation… Click here to leave a comment!

TECHNOLOGY & THE ARTS

Our existing and future economic health depends on an educated workforce. That means technical training as well as college and continuing training options. Our economy also needs creative people to continue our innovative leadership. A vigorous performing arts facility produces a great economic impact, and the technology sector wants creative problem solvers as well as engineers. I support the local efforts to create this asset. Talented people stay here when there is a good quality of life and good jobs, and strong companies locate here because of our quality of life, clean air and water, and our beautiful environment… Click here to leave a comment!

MY RECORD ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Early in my career I sponsored legislation to increase public safety around oil transport and was the first local elected official to take a stand against making our waterfront one of the largest oil storage facilities on the west coast. I am working hard to ensure that we take the necessary steps to ensure the health of Vancouver Lake and preserve water quality, fish habitat and the economic benefits of the sailing and crewing that helps our local businesses prosper.

As Vice-Chair of Transportation, I helped negotiate a transportation package that finishes projects in process, invests in the low carbon future, ensures freight mobility, avoids adverse impacts on vulnerable communities, and takes care of what we have more than any other package. I have worked to upgrade our rail system to provide cost effective movement of goods and worked for seven years with both Oregon legislators and Republican members to find a solution and replace the I-5 bridge. The best bridge is the one that gets built. Cutting ribbons on new projects may be nice but letting our existing infrastructure deteriorate is expensive and unwise…. Click here to read more or leave a comment!