The Issues
Laura’s priorities in Olympia are to provide a strong voice for agricultural issues, continued support for our schools, promoting a budget that is both balanced and responsible, and limiting taxes. This past session she fought to help schools and kids, and to make school funding more transparent and comprehensive, to invest in job training and vocational programs, and to continue regional transportation and highway safety improvements.
Education
As a current classroom teacher and a mother of 3 school age daughters, I know the important role that education plays in our children’s future.
In Olympia I supported legislation which marks the beginning of the movement to redefine and fully fund "basic education" so all children receive the support they need to succeed in college, job training, work and life. It really is a first step, and it is vital that work continues so our educators and schools receive the support they need to provide the high quality education that every child deserves.
We all know that learning doesn’t start in kindergarten. Parents are their children’s first teachers as they help their children grow up safe, healthy and filled with a love of learning. In the Legislature I will continue to promote early learning programs so our children show up ready to learn on day one. Early learning is extremely successful at helping young disadvantaged kids. Research has shown that every dollar invested in effective early learning programs saves between $7 and $17 in future government expenses by reducing the need for remedial education, corrections and other costs or lost opportunities.
Additionally, I will fight to increase access to job training and vocational programs while expanding access to our colleges and universities here in eastern Washington.
Agriculture
I will always stand up for our farming communities. Agriculture and agribusiness are the cornerstone of our district and they affect so many more than those planting our crops. I will work to make sure our agricultural interests are not forgotten in Olympia. The cost of farming continues to increase and I will fight to limit or reduce red tape and unreasonable regulations and costs imposed by the state. I was proud to be appointed to vice-chair on the agriculture committee this session. I was able to put a halt to ridiculous legislation proposed to impose a B&O tax on farmers. Additionally, I also was proud to author a new law to help farmers in permitting seasonal vehicles by authorizing permits for 30 consecutive days rather than a calendar month. Something as small as that can really benefit those who are on the front line in agricultural world.
Small Business & The Economy
Small businesses are the heart of our economy and government should be doing everything it can to help them grow and thrive. Every business starts as a small business and our long term success depends on our ability to provide an environment where they can nurture and grow.
We can do this by working to help provide greater incentives, a skilled workforce, the necessary infrastructure to get goods to market, and by getting government out of the way by cutting red tape and regulation.
Additionally we need to look for new emerging markets to make sure we are on the forefront of the emerging economic development opportunities. A great example is providing support to our local wine industry and emerging green energy technologies.
Health Care
One of the greatest burdens on both families and business is the growing cost of health care. This past session, I supported efforts that will ensure that every child in Washington State has access to health care by 2010. At the same time, seniors throughout our community are also struggling with the costs of health care and prescription drugs. Lowering the cost of health care is no simple task. I will partner with leaders on the local and national level to come up with new strategies to increase coverage and make it affordable.
