As the economic downturn has taken its toll, millions of families in Washington state and across the country have found themselves
struggling with foreclosure, layoffs, and the loss of their savings. My
top priority is to help get the economy going again by enabling
businesses to expand, creating good, family-wage jobs, and helping our
communities stay competitive in the global economy.
I believe that in order to see lasting recovery, we must
invest in emerging and growing industries. But if we want those
efforts to reach their full potential, we need educated workers to fill
the jobs and sound infrastructure capable of moving goods and people
from place to place. Keeping up our investments in education, roads,
bridges, mass transit, and other infrastructure is critical to our
economic success over the long-term.
Priorities
- Ensuring the American workforce has the skills and
training necessary to remain a world economic leader.
- Strengthening our housing market to restore stability
and expand homeownership.
- Ensuring financial markets are properly regulated to
prevent market manipulation and encourage stability and
investment.
- Expanding our alternative energy and technology
industries.
- Making higher education affordable and accessible to
ensure a skilled workforce.
- Ensuring federal dollars are well-managed, well-spent,
and being used to promote economic growth.
Accomplishments
- Worked as chair of the Senate Transportation,
Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure
funding for infrastructure improvements and economic development
initiatives.
- Introduced the Summer Jobs Stimulus Act to support
summer youth employment opportunities directly linked to academic
and occupational learning.
- Consistently supported efforts to make the state sales
tax deduction permanent.
- Introduced legislation to promote financial literacy for
youth and adults.
- Pushed for reauthorization of the Higher Education Act
to provide financial assistance for students in postsecondary and
higher education.
- Fought for increased federal funding to support stronger
math, science, and technology curriculums in our schools.
- Supported the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to help
jump-start the economy.
See more information about my work on business and economic
issues important in Washington state: Trade, Labor, Small
Business, Taxes