Claudia Kauffman

Environment / Energy Washington State has a huge responsibility to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment that it impacts every day. We have a great potential to boldly protect our environment and to promote our green economy. Our state of Washington, the Evergreen State, deserves a plan that will help our environment for generations to come. Housing There is a shortage of affordable housing, and those housing options that are available are out of reach for many working families in our communities. I share your concern of the high costs of housing, I will address this housing shortage through investments in affordable housing for all. Civil Rights We are blessed with a diverse community that provides new and enlightened perspectives that are needed in today's society. We must ensure that we look at policies, procedures, and budgets with an eye on how our actions will impact our diverse community. We must also ensure that we provide every opportunity to enhance our diversity through our policies and identify and remove barriers to diversity. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Creating a strong public safety network for our community and maintaining a healthy and responsive team to meet the needs of the 47th LD. It is imperative that we develop a response team, include our local community’s priorities; to effectively serve our citizens and lead in all areas of professional law enforcement practices in service and in safety to our community. Taxes / Budget One need only go to the gas pump or the grocery store to see just how much inflation is hurting working people’s wallets. That is why I am committed to pursuing policies that will put more money back into people’s pockets. For example, we need to reform our grossly unfair tax system. When it comes to to tax fairness, Washington ranks 50 out of 50. Those in the bottom 20% of the wealth spectrum pay SEVEN times more of their income in taxes than billionaires. It isn’t right or fair that those on a fixed income, people with health issues, our veterans and working families are bearing the brunt of inflation while simultaneously struggling to get by. Reducing taxes like property and sales tax, reforming the B&O tax, and adopting better, more fair options will have a tremendous impact on our economy and will greatly improve the lives of everyday Washingtonians. Education Creating a firm foundation for education begins with Early Learning. Young children in Washington deserve access to high quality early learning and support which will advance their knowledge, education, and social skills that will guide them on a pathway of achievement. This foundation of support will lift every child up with meaningful early learning experiences.