Legislative Advocacy

• Support replacement of the I-5 bridge and improvements to the influence area.
• Protect Lower Snake River Dams with a focus on barging and river commerce, navigation, flood control and hydroelectric energy generation.
• Support Clark PUD’s Transportation Electrification Plan and advocate for adequate state funding to implement plan.
• Continue to fund Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) for freight needs.
  • Pursue reclassification of Mill Plain from T2 to T1 to support freight and commerce movement from the Port of Vancouver USA to the state-designated High Wide and Heavy (HWH) Corridor.
• Protect Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a tool for funding infrastructure projects.
• Protect and maintain public transit funding as an integral part of the region’s multimodal transportation system.
• Support policies presented through the Clark County Transportation Alliance, including safety, maintenance, preservation and regionally significant projects.
  • Among our top priorities:
    • Rail overpass at 32^nd St in Washougal
    • West Camas Slough Bridge Widening
    • Fruit Valley Freight Access and Safety Improvements (NW 32^nd Ave)
    • I-5 South Connector/I-5 to Hillhurst Rd planning funds
    • Adequately fund WSDOT Southwest Region for system maintenance and preservation

Houselessness and Housing:

• Support approaches to provide shelter for the houseless in a manner which addresses potential unintended consequences on businesses
• Support incentives to assist communities in the build out of middle-income housing
• Support investment to state’s affordable housing fund
• Support funding housing services (Document recording fee attached to home sales that goes to fund is lower, due to lower home sales.)
• Support Workforce stabilization by investing in frontline workers and nonprofits that provide services for housing and houselessness

Behavioral Health:

• Support community college funding to increase the behavioral health workforce

Childcare:

• Support increased access to childcare, including reassessment of state childcare regulations.

• Enhance access and affordability of childcare in Washington. 
• Support funding for a study of the feasibility of a permanent state public safety training center, here in SW Washington.
• Continue to improve predictability, capital facilities planning, and timeliness for new development, ensure access to employment lands.
• Support mechanisms to create more housing, through the development of public-private partnerships (ie, Cities, VHA, Ports, Dept. of Commerce, private developers etc.)
• Improve workforce readiness across industries
• Ensure balanced, diversified and economically sustainable energy policy and protect Columbia and Snake Rivers hydropower systems/navigation corridors.

• Business leadership, participation and education about climate laws, programs and funding
• Jobs and economic benefit through training and new technology integration
• Maintaining a sustainable energy mix throughout the transition to lower carbon sources and ensuring there is adequate capacity to meet our needs throughout the region allowing us to achieve our policy goals
• Improved infrastructure through awareness and incentives

• Support programs that will better align educators and employers with workforce needs
• Support continued work to align CTE Credit for STEM Classes
• Support funding of Special Education in local districts
• Support equitable pathways to the trades by growing the capacity of apprenticeships through a variety of Accredited Apprenticeship Programs, whether those programs are through employer, union, or employer assoc. (see HB 2087)
• Establish parity between Running Start and CTE students that transitions to Quality Job Career Pathway
• Support funding for and development of education and workforce development programs to ensure local workforce able to support the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project
• Support capital funding for Skills Centers, through the Board for Community & Technical Colleges, to ensure programs such as Cascadia Tech can meet current capital expansion and maintenance needs
• Support career ladders for ESL immigrants. Additionally, work to ensure easier transition for immigrant workers credentialed in their country of origin
• Support creation of Civilian Conservation Job Corps Center (residential) in SW Washington