Key decisions for 2008:
- How to improve our transportations system and eliminate the constant congestion on our freeways in the Puget Sound region.
- How to provide light rail service from SeaTac airport to downtown Tacoma by 2012.
- How to improve our educations system so that our students receive a first class education which will prepare them for college and their careers, and reduce the high school drop-out epidemic.
- How to recruit and keep high quality companies in Tacoma and Pierce County which provide family wage jobs.
- How to improve the quality of life of our developmentally disabled citizens.
- How to show more respect and provide better service to our senior citizens and veterans.
- How to phase out the Business and Occupation tax in our state and thereby improve the business climate.
- How to create a world class central business district in downtown Tacoma that will persuade companies to want to be located here.
- How to provide leadership to local projects which improve the quality of life for our citizens.
These are among the key issues of 2008. On the basis of these issues the citizens of the 27th District must make their choices for the future. Over the years I have been active in the Tacoma community and have talked to many citizens. My candidacy is therefore based on the conviction that I can win both the nomination and the election
The issues facing the State of Washington are overlaid by two fundamental principles.
First, a Senator's responsibility is to go to Olympia and fight for the average citizen who is not represented by lobbyists and those initiatives which otherwise might not get done; and second
it is to provide my constituents with superior and unprecedented service. In order to illustrate this point, included as part of the press release are the Principles I will follow as your Senator. As I have stated before, in my view, it all boils down to the fact that a Senator has a responsibility to lead. I will provide that leadership.
On this day 4 years ago, (2004) President Ronald Reagan died: and 40 years ago (1968) on this day, Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Both of these public servants generated hope, change and leadership to solve our problems. That's what my campaign will do. Robert Kennedy had a saying that he used in his presidential campaign "There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?"
Asking "why not" is what this campaign is all about and that is what we will begin to do on November 4, 2008.
It is with these ideas in mind that I begin this campaign.
I humbly ask for your support and vote.