Campaign Priorities

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Stabilizing and Securing Tacoma
Block by Block

I understand the frustration of navigating broken systems and feeling powerless in the face of loved ones’ struggles—I’ve been there myself.


When my children lost their father to mental illness, it was more than a personal tragedy. It exposed how systems fail people like him—people of color, children of immigrants, and veterans neglected by institutions that should support them. Now the current Administration is attempting to dismantle these already fragile institutions, and Congress is doing nothing to stop them. The well-being of Tacoma residents depends on bold local and state leaders.


I am a stability and security advocate, primed and ready for this challenge. I have long been dedicated to promoting a Tacoma where economic security, personal safety, housing stability, and climate resilience aren’t privileges awarded to the few, but guarantees we all create for ourselves.

 

Tacoma is at a crossroads, and it’s time to create lasting change from the ground up. As your City Council member, I’m committed to addressing our housing crisis by ensuring affordable, community-owned housing that lasts. I believe in empowering our neighborhoods to be resilient and self-sustaining, creating a foundation of trust and collaboration. By investing in grassroots initiatives and promoting local solutions, we can foster security in every area—economic, physical, and environmental. It’s time to restore Tacoma’s neighborhoods as the heart of our city, create jobs that protect both people and the planet, and build a Tacoma that works for everyone.


I promise to fight for:

Reclaiming Housing for All

Housing security is fundamental to a stable and thriving community. By prioritizing housing security, we can combat displacement and homelessness and create neighborhoods where families can build futures without fearing instability through policies and programs that

ADU Development offers

  • Flexible Housing Solutions: ADUs allow homeowners to expand their property while meeting local housing needs.
  • Multi-Generational Living: They offer flexible living arrangements for families of different generations.
  • Rental Opportunities: Homeowners can earn extra income by renting out these units.
  • Enhancing Property Value: ADUs can enhance property aesthetics and value while supporting community growth. 

I support programs that streamline ADU permitting processes and provide financial incentives for construction. 

 

By facilitating ADU development, we can-

  1. Diversify development to include everyday people, not just wealthy developers.
  2. Sustainably increase housing affordability and density
  3. Allow homeowners more input on the feel and culture of their neighborhoods
  4. Enhance neighborhood vitality and promote community stability.

I advocate for policies that support the expansion of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) in Tacoma. CLTs stabilize neighborhoods by preventing displacement and foster community engagement and sustainable development practices. By supporting CLTs, we can build a more equitable city where all residents can invest in their futures and build intergenerational wealth.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) Offer-

  • Long-Term Affordability: CLTs secure housing affordability and community stewardship by owning and leasing land.
  • Permanent Affordability: Homes built on CLT land remain affordable in perpetuity.
  • Accessible Homeownership: Low and moderate-income families can own homes while leasing the land, making homeownership achievable.

I advocate for policies that support the creation of Social housing in Tacoma.

 

Social housing is a public option for housing. It is permanently and deeply affordable, under community control, and most importantly, exists outside of the speculative real estate market.

 

Social housing offers-

  • Permanent Affordability: Community-owned homes prioritize residents’ needs over profit, keeping units affordable long-term.
  • Reduced Displacement: By keeping units off the speculative market, social housing decreases housing insecurity and displacement.
  • Inclusive Communities: This model fosters inclusive neighborhoods and supports community stability.
  • Comprehensive Housing Strategy: Social housing, alongside CLTs, ADUs, and rental assistance, forms a robust approach to affordable housing in Tacoma.
  • Stable Supply: Expanding public and nonprofit-led housing ensures a steady availability of affordable homes, allowing residents to establish roots without the threat of rising costs.
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Restoring Block Power

Tacoma needs a government and policing system that listens and serves its people. We need neighborhood block hubs that empower voices, foster safety through connection and trust, and create collaboration that ensures our resources are abundant and our basic needs met. Rather than ineffective quick fixes, it is crucial to prioritize proactive strategies that address crime’s root causes, through policies and programs that

Empower Neighborhood Councils: Who knows more about what your neighborhood needs than you? Neighborhood Councils should be inclusive and empowered to advocate for the resources and support they need.

 

Organic Neighborhood Watch Programs: Neighborhoods with active Neighborhood Watch programs report a significant decrease in crime rates. According to studies, areas with Neighborhood Watch programs can experience a crime reduction of up to 16%.

 

Programs That Enhance Social Connection: Strong social ties and community cohesion have been shown to reduce crime rates. When neighbors know and trust each other, they are more likely to look out for one another, report suspicious activities, take proactive measures to prevent crime and uphold each other’s rights.

 

Age Conscious Solutions: Respect and care for all ages, including elders and teenagers, are crucial for community security and well-being in Tacoma. By investing in elders, we preserve Tacoma’s history and wisdom, fostering stability. I prioritize supporting elders and teenagers through expanded services, age-friendly infrastructure, and intergenerational connections. This approach includes promoting teen mentorship and after-school programs, providing positive outlets that reduce youth involvement in crime. Culturally sensitive policies create an inclusive city where everyone feels valued, contributing to enhanced public safety across Tacoma.

 

Public Spaces and Design: Well-designed public spaces that encourage community interaction and activities, such as parks, community centers, and pedestrian-friendly streets, contribute to safer neighborhoods. Active public spaces can deter crime by increasing natural surveillance and fostering a sense of ownership among residents.

 

I believe effective policing involves more than adequate staffing and training. I support policing that also includes-

  1. Community Police Oversight: Communities that engage in community policing strategies, where law enforcement works closely with residents to address local concerns, often see improved trust between police and community members. This trust can lead to more effective crime prevention and reporting, contributing to overall crime reduction.
  2. Data from Crime Prevention Programs: Various crime prevention initiatives, such as community-based rehabilitation programs for offenders and targeted interventions in high-crime areas, have demonstrated measurable reductions in crime rates. These programs often involve community partnerships and holistic approaches to addressing underlying causes of crime.
  3. Expanding Tacoma’s Alternative Response Initiatives: I support expanding Tacoma’s initiatives that focus on Homelessness Outreach, Behavioral Health Response, and unarmed Community Service Officers.
  4. Gun Safety: I support stronger gun safety laws and education. Gun violence is a real issue. We need to equip all gun owners, including police, with the tools to keep themselves and others safe. 

I believe stability and security are dependent on informed neighborhoods empowered to vote in their community’s best interest. This is why I advocate for election reforms that

 

  1. Reduce Polarization and Division: By encouraging candidates to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters and build consensus, some voting methods can help mitigate the extreme polarization and political divisions that can sometimes lead to social unrest or conflict.

  2. Increase Representation: Some voting methods can ensure that elected officials have broader support from their constituents, including those from minority or less dominant groups. This can lead to policies that address a wider range of community needs and concerns, promoting social cohesion and stability.

  3. Focus on Issues Over Personal Attacks: With less emphasis on negative campaigning and attacking opponents, some voting methods could foster a more constructive political environment. Candidates are incentivized to discuss policy solutions and collaborate, rather than resorting to divisive tactics that can escalate tensions.

  4. Create Fairer Campaign Finance Practices: Some campaign financing methods can reduce the influence of wealthy donors and special interests, making elected officials more accountable to the public rather than to powerful financial backers. This transparency and accountability can enhance trust in the political process and reduce perceptions of corruption.

  5. Encourage Civic Engagement: Fairer electoral practices can increase voter turnout and engagement. When people feel their voices are heard and their votes count, they are more likely to participate in the democratic process peacefully and constructively.

Watch Instead

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Click here for a video playlist explaining these personal security issues and strategies

Jobs that Protect People and the Planet

Economic security is interconnected to climate security. It involves creating opportunities for stable employment and financial well-being. Additionally, Communities with equitable access to green spaces and economic opportunities, including jobs, education, and housing, experience lower crime rates. I advocate for policies that support sustainability, small businesses, support working parents, promote job training programs, and ensure fair wages through

Policies and programs that support unions and cooperative business models give workers a voice in their workplace and a share in the prosperity they help create.

 

Unions play a crucial role in advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable treatment of employees. They ensure that workers have collective bargaining power, enabling them to negotiate better wages, benefits, and job security. Unions lift up individual workers and strengthen communities by advocating for policies that benefit all working families.

 

Cooperative business models offer an innovative approach to economic empowerment by democratizing ownership and decision-making. In cooperatives, all workers have a stake in the business and participate in its profits, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment. This model closes the wealth gap by distributing wealth more equitably and builds stronger, more resilient communities.

I believe Tacoma can prosper, promote health, and sustainable jobs by:

  1. Transitioning from polluting industries to attract environmentally friendly sectors.
  2. Rebranding Tacoma as a hub for businesses committed to:
    • Environmental stewardship
    • Community well-being
  3. Creating thousands of jobs by welcoming:
    • Socially responsible corporations
    • Green businesses like renewable energy, sustainable technology, and eco-friendly manufacturing
  4. Prioritizing clean air, water, and soil to benefit public health and the environment.
  5. Supporting this shift through:
    • Investment in workforce training
    • Development of green infrastructure
  6. Enhancing Tacoma’s reputation, attracting investment, fostering innovation, and building a cleaner, healthier community.

Creating a neighborhood-centered city with accessible transportation is vital for economic opportunity, educational access, and community well-being. It ensures residents can easily commute to jobs, schools, and recreational activities, reducing barriers and enhancing quality of life. Connecting neighborhoods to affordable housing and cultural venues through mindful transportation improvements fosters community stability and encourages local engagement, making Tacoma a place where everyone can thrive.

Cooperative childcare, often organized by groups of parents, fosters a community-based approach to childcare where families share responsibilities and resources. Policies that support cooperative childcare include:

 

  1. Regulatory Support: Ensuring that regulations and licensing requirements accommodate cooperative models while maintaining health, safety, and educational standards.

  2. Financial Support: Providing grants, subsidies, or tax incentives specifically for cooperative childcare initiatives to offset operational costs and make services more affordable for families.

  3. Training and Support Programs: Offering training, resources, and technical assistance to cooperative members on childcare best practices, governance, and organizational management.

  4. Community Partnership Initiatives: Encouraging partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses to enhance cooperative childcare’s sustainability and community impact.

  5. Recognition and Integration: Recognizing cooperative childcare as a valuable component of early childhood education systems and integrating it into broader childcare policies and initiatives.

  6. Research and Advocacy: Supporting research on cooperative childcare models to understand their benefits and challenges, and advocating for policies that promote their growth and accessibility.

By supporting cooperative childcare, policies can empower families to actively participate in their children’s care while fostering community resilience and addressing childcare affordability and accessibility issues.

Watch Instead

Don’t feel like reading? 

Click here for a video playlist explaining these economic and climate security issues and strategies

My Experience Promoting Stability & Security
2024 Charter Recommendations
I’m not just talk.
Last year I pushed for many progressive changes on the Tacoma Charter Review Committee.
When elected, I will continue to fight for these changes.

How Do We Pay For All of This?

Through funding strategies that combine local investments, private partnerships, tax reforms, and innovative financing models that reduce the tax burden on the working class!