Pat Bell

Civil Rights Upholding Constitutional Rights: Pat is dedicated to upholding and defending the constitutional rights that are the cornerstone of our nation’s foundation. He believes in protecting the freedoms guaranteed to every American by the U.S. Constitution, and by the State Constitution, including but not limited to: the the right to bear arms, the right to free speech, and the right to due process. Pat will tirelessly advocate for the preservation of these fundamental liberties for all citizens. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Ensuring Public Safety: Pat believes government’s first responsibility is to protect people. He supports full funding, training, and equipment to ensure law enforcement and first responders can do their jobs to serve and protect our communities effectively. Pat is concerned about recent increases in violent crime, the drug, alcohol, and mental health crises ravaging our communities, and lack of resources to investigate property crimes. He supports the recent legislative changes that allow law enforcement to pursue fleeing suspects. Pat will also strongly advocate for policies that prioritize protecting rural residents, farms and ranches from dangerous predators, like the grey wolf, cougars, and grizzly bears. Education Getting Back to Basics on Education: As a parent, Pat firmly believes parents are the primary stakeholder in their children’s education. He believes every child must be provided with access to a quality education that equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in life. He is committed to advocating for policies that strengthen our basic education system, including ample funding, effective teaching standards, and career or technical education like training for the trades and apprenticeship. Pat supports the implementation of a Parents Bill of Rights, empowering parents to play an active, primary role in their children’s education, and ensuring parent’s voices are heard and heeded in the decision-making process. Economy Protecting Rural Jobs: Pat believes in protecting our rural way of life and livelihoods, many of which have been connected to agriculture and natural resource industries for generations. He supports recent legislative changes that prohibit a state or local income taxes, which would cause employers and jobs to flee the state. Pat is a proponent of cutting red tape to make it easier to start, operate, and grow a business. This includes policies like a “2 for 1” rule, whereby any state agency seeking to issue 1 new rule or regulation must cut 2 existing ones. Taxes / Budget Returning to Responsible Budgeting: Pat is a staunch advocate for fiscal policies that prioritize essential services for rural areas, eliminate wasteful out-of-control spending, reduce the crushing tax burden through tax reform and relief, and promote economic growth. He firmly believes that Olympia doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. Pat supports rigorous legislative oversight of state agencies, including eliminating or consolidating those that may be duplicative to reduce cost and waste.