As your councilmember, I have been committed to ensuring that Tacoma delivers the essential services you count on. When I talk with people across the city, I hear the same things: You want emergency services that respond quickly, roads without potholes, sidewalks that are safe to use, and clean neighborhoods and business areas. You also want less crime, more police officers and firefighters, and better services to help people experiencing homelessness find housing.
I’m proud of what we’ve done so far. Over the last few years, we’ve fixed streets and sidewalks, helped businesses grow and thrive, and worked to clean up litter and graffiti. These efforts have been making a difference over the past year. Violent crime and property theft, especially car thefts, are down. We connected more than 1,000 people to services and moved nearly 300 people off the streets into shelters or housing. Tidy-Up Tacoma keeps our business districts litter-free through new trash cans and frequent cleanings.
These successes didn’t happen by accident—they happened because of smart budgeting and a focus on your priorities. As Chair of the Government Performance and Finance Committee, I’ve worked to ensure our city spends your tax dollars wisely. I helped update the city’s reserve policy, which led to a higher bond rating for Tacoma. This means we can borrow money at lower rates when needed, saving taxpayers money. It’s a big win for our city and proves we manage finances responsibly.
I also know there’s a lack of trust in how city government spends money. Many residents feel like the city is not addressing their concerns, and they don’t always see the results they expect. I am committed to changing that.
In the years ahead, we’ll need to make important decisions about what our city prioritizes and how we spend our money. Some of these choices won’t be easy, but I believe I’m the right person with the right skills to lead us through them.
If elected mayor, I will stay focused on:
- Transparency: Making it easier for people to see how the city makes budget decisions. You should know where the money comes from, where it’s going, and how it’s making a difference.
- Accountability: Tracking how well city programs are working. If something isn’t delivering results, we’ll make changes to ensure your money is used wisely.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Keeping the city’s budget balanced and saving money in reserves so we’re ready for unexpected challenges. I’ll also look for smart investments that help Tacoma grow and improve.
I’ll continue to focus on the priorities you’ve told me matter most: safety, fixing roads, and addressing homelessness. These have been my main goals since joining the council, and I’ve worked hard to make sure our budget reflects these priorities. In the last budget cycle, I pushed to fund public safety and provide more support for our fire department. I’m not afraid to make tough choices to do what’s right for Tacoma.
I also believe that by working with local businesses, nonprofits, and community members, we can find new and better ways to solve problems. Teamwork helps us do more with the resources we have.
It’s an honor to serve you, and I’m excited to keep working on these important issues to make Tacoma an even better place to live. Together, we can build a safer, stronger city.