ISSUES

A Clean Environment

I have spent my career working to protect what's best about our region: our air and water, farms and open space. On the San Juan County Council I have worked with communities throughout Washington, coordinated with federal and state agencies, and assembled innovative coalitions to address complex environmental issues. In Olympia, I'll build on my extensive record, addressing issues from Puget Sound cleanup to climate change, land use to clean energy.

My track record on the environment speaks for itself. In 2005, Governor Gregoire appointed me to serve on the Washington State Oil Spill Advisory Council, and later I was appointed to the Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordination Board and the Washington State Shoreline Hearings Board.

Since 2004, I've been privileged to serve as a San Juan County Council Member. As an elected official, I have focused on a combination of conservation and community development —successfully bridging the gap between economic development and natural resource protection. I chair the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council and the Washington Coastal Counties Caucus.

Family Wage Jobs

The backbone of our communities are small business and the jobs they create. On the County Council I worked to strengthen and improve maritime sector jobs and protect family owned business. In Olympia, I'll continue to focus on bringing the right kid of jobs and opportunity to our region.

We must continue to nurture our economy by promoting land use policies that encourage strong communities anchored by thriving small businesses. The best jobs are built with a family wage that will keep well-educated and hard-working people in the region. We are on the brink of being able to develop our community in a way that will stimulate the economy while protecting the environment.

Quality Schools

Raised in part by my Grandmother, a lifelong Kindergarten teacher, I saw first hand the impact good teachers and quality, caring schools have on the lives of our kids. In Olympia I'll work to fully fund early education, K-12, and higher education, assuring that all of us —from kids to workers in career transition have access to the skills needed to succeed.

Education is often talked about as an economic burden that we provide at great cost to ourselves. However, a strong education system is the foundation of a strong economy, and in order for us to remain competitive in a growing global marketplace we will have to remain committed to a strong public school system. Every dollar we invest in education —particularly early childhood education —pays enormous dividends down the road.

Kevin with Sate Senator Phil Rockefeller – Kevin and the Senator Rockefeller worked closely together to create and champion the legislation that created the Puget Sound Partnership

Health Care

Living in a small rural community, I see every day the importance of access to quality health care, and the impacts on families that lack basic care.  
 
On the County Council I have worked to protect and expand access to affordable care, working at the state and federal level on specific policies, like providing regional services for veterans and their families, to supporting funding for rural clinics and small hospitals.
 
I've always worked hard to champion family farms and Main St business, the economic drivers of our communities and the source of health care for thousands of local families. As we lose small business to "big box" retail we not only lose the character of our communities, workers lose wage and benefits including health care, placing too many at risk.