Accomplishments
What We've Achieved Together
During my 8 years of service as your former City Councilmember, it was an honor to work with Tacoma leaders and my Council colleagues to accomplish the following wins for our community:
Renter Protections
Passed the City of Tacoma’s groundbreaking landlord-tenant policies in 2018, which later became the basis for Washington State’s “just cause” renter protections, as well as provided direct cash assistance to the tenants of the Tiki Apartments who faced eviction that year.
Local Economic Development
Launched the City of Tacoma’s “Anchor Network” initiative, which brings together major economic actors like Tacoma hospitals, universities, local governments, and non-profits for the purpose of enhancing Tacoma’s economy through coordinated local hiring, procurement, and investment efforts.
Repealed Corporate Welfare
Repealed wasteful tax breaks for multi-billion dollar hospital conglomerates, with over $3,000,000 realized in savings over the first three years returned to core city services like fire protection, police services, and street repair.
Participatory Budgeting
Established the city’s current Participatory Budgeting program, leading to a significantly more transparent and inclusive approach to our city’s budget process.
Tacomans deserve energetic leadership and active listening from their city government.
Partnering with the Puyallup Tribe
Permanently housed the flag of the Puyallup Tribe in City Council chambers, as well as direct city financial support for the Puyallup Tribe’s 2018 Canoe Journey.
Protecting Public Broadband
Blocked the attempted privatization of the Click! fiber network to Wave Broadband, and secured continued public ownership of Tacoma’s broadband infrastructure in our city’s contract with Rainier Connect/Lightcurve, along with new consumer protections like a low-income internet rate, and a local Net Neutrality guarantee.
Incentives for Electric Cars
With Tacoma Public Utilities, created new incentive programs for electric cars, as well as greater electrification of the city’s fleet.
Standing up to Polluters
Banned new fossil fuel industries in the Tideflats and Port of Tacoma industrial area, as well as blocked the expansion of current dirty fossil fuel uses.
Affordable Housing Planning
Identified more government-owned lots in Tacoma that can now be planned for future affordable housing development.
Together, we can make Tacoma the leader of the South Sound.
Ruston Way Master Plan
With Metro Parks, created a master plan for Ruston Way, which will inform future street and pedestrian safety improvements.
Fighting Racism in Housing
With then-State Representative Christine Kilduff, made it easier for homeowners all throughout Washington State to remove racist covenant language from their home deeds.
Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Passed the City of Tacoma’s paid sick leave ordinance, which also offers protection to the victims of domestic violence seeking safe leave. A year after passage, this influenced the passage of Washington State’s similar law that is now statewide policy.