JOBS/ECONOMY
As an employer, I know the struggles the private market has faced. I understand what it takes to be successful in this state and the regulations and costs that get in the way. Washington needs to be a place that’s good for employers to create jobs. When businesses succeed, our economy flourishes and people are successful. State government should work with employers, not as adversaries to their growth.

STATE GOVERNMENT
State employees have less security today than before. The overspending is making things worse and more taxes are not the long term solution. We need to honor promises made to state employees in pensions/retirement savings. It’s time to restructure our state agencies to provide more efficient services to taxpayers and more stability for state employees. I will work with both sides of the aisle to provide the best from state government.

EDUCATION
We need to return to the basics of learning, not just regurgitating facts and figures. It’s important to measure the performance of our students to understand where we can improve. This means having a fair system to evaluate how teachers are teaching and whether they are succeeding. Our state should be providing earlier options and direction for students who may not always be right for a four-year degree. Career and technical training is crucial for the future of our state’s economy.

BUDGET/TAXES
We need a new direction in the way our state budgets. Right now the state is overspending and under-delivering on its promises. Critical areas like education, state worker pensions and care for the developmentally disabled are at risk and this is not acceptable. It’s important for us to prioritize what’s important and use a budgeting process that reflects that.

PUBLIC SAFETY
One of the most important things government can do is to protect its people from danger. Faith-based organizations and non-profits also have an important role in encouraging alternative ambitions to those who would otherwise be led down criminal paths. There is so much we can do with freedom if we are protected by government to do so.

Mobile Home Parks (An email dialog)
Message from constituent:
      I'm wondering what your opinions are on issues affecting manufactured home owners and the parks we live in.  I am guessing that seniors like me own the majority of them and live primarily in the parks designated for age 55+.
      I recently bought a home in Friendly Village in Olympia and find myself having a tough time affording the astronomical LOT RENT charged here.  I checked into costs in other states and they're more like $350 or $400--not $608 like mine!!!  It is unconscionable, I strongly believe, to let a park owner (and this one owns dozens of parks around the state) to jack up prices, to raise them every yr. as much as $30--on we elders who are often on very low and fixed incomes.  Yes, a Rent Control of some sort should be imposed considering these owners obviously do not have any regard for others--just wanting to fill their already overflowing pockets.  Thank you for considering my views.  I'm sure they are held by thousands of others in WA--most of whom don't bother to write.

Response from Jason:
      Thank you very much for contacting me.  We faced this issue a while back on Lacey Council.  The problem lies in you owning the home and someone else owning the land.  Your home depreciates while their land appreciates.     
       If elected, I would sponsor a bill that would help you buy the ground under you from your owner or sell your home to that owner, both at market prices but with financing help as needed so it would cash flow for you and/or the land owner. 
      After a period of time, say three years, owning land under a home owned by someone else would be illegal.  Another option would be for the home owners to co-op and buy the land together with shares.  I believe there are some laws now that encourage that but getting a large group together like that is always difficult.  The answer is ownership by one party, otherwise its not fair. 
      I would be very open to meeting your group in person if you would be willing to schedule a large enough meeting place, perhaps at a city hall or a library (has to be open to the public) and inviting me.  Thank you again for writing me regarding this issue.  Please follow-up with me and set up a large meeting with others concerned about this issue for a town meeting in the near future.