About Jake

I am an unabashed progressive that believes that our state, country and the planet face important challenges that must be addressed. The list of challenges is large and there are important challenges that I believe I can have a positive effect on that the legislature must address. I believe that I have demonstrated in my four years at the Washington State Legislature an ability to get positive legislation to the finish line.

I will just mention a few of those pieces of legislation. I was a negotiator for the transportation package that passed during the 2015 session. Included in the final package in addition to the important road projects in Pierce County that were funded were three bills that I sponsored and lobbied for inclusion in the package-the ability for local governments to raise additional funds for local transportation projects by increasing vehicle license fees; the authorization for Sound Transit to take to the voters expansion of our regional transportation system including bringing light rail to Tacoma; and a four-year extension to the sales tax exemption for electric vehicles. This year I sponsored the Homeless Student Stability Act that was passed and funded that will provide for housing support and school counselors for homeless families. This bill was modeled after a successful demonstration project at McCarver Elementary in Tacoma. I will be focusing in the upcoming legislative session on additional education, environmental and transportation issues.