During the 2025 legislative session, I focused on delivering results for Blaine, Birch Bay and communities across Whatcom County, even in a challenging budget year.
Several bills I sponsored passed the legislature and were signed into law. House Bill 1418 strengthens accountability and representation by giving transit agencies the option to add voting members who actually use transit services. House Bill 1540 expands Washington’s Students Experiencing Homelessness program to include Northwest Indian College, ensuring students at the state’s only accredited tribal college can access critical support. I also sponsored the House companion to Senate Bill 5480, which removes medical debt from credit score reporting, helping protect families from long-term financial harm.
This session also delivered important capital budget investments for our community. We fought for state funding for continued construction of the Lummi Nation Substance Abuse Treatment project, a new Technology and Engineering Center at Whatcom Community College, renovations of Bellingham’s Central Library, and solar energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the Ferndale Public Library. Additional investments support affordable housing design at the Lynden Transit Center and a school-based health and behavioral health clinic for Mount Baker schools.
In sessions past, I supported state crisis response and flood recovery efforts. In the 2026 legislative session, I will continue working to help Whatcom County recover from recent weather events and to secure funding for long-term flood mitigation to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure in our community.
I will also continue advocating for increased funding for our region’s colleges and universities. Expanding access to higher education and workforce training is essential to strengthening our local economy and creating opportunity for students across Whatcom County.
