Issues

Educational Success
As a father and teacher for Federal Way schools, Mark has a unique understanding of what's needed in our classrooms. As State Representative, he's fought for tough academic standards, competency testing for teachers, and schools that are safe and secure. Mark believes we need to focus on the basics while reducing class size and keeping our promise to adequately pay our teachers.
Economic Opportunity
Mark supports a comprehensive approach to creating economic opportunity in Washington. We need to keep taxes low, give helpful assistance to small businesses, provide incentives for companies that bring jobs here, and close loopholes on corporations who ship their jobs out of state. We must do a better job of moving people and freight on our roads and be more aggressive about recruiting new businesses in Washington.
Audits and Accountability
Mark's continuing mission in the State Legislature has been to make government more efficient, effective, and responsive to the people it serves. Performance audits and quality management for state agencies, local accountability of our schools, and an overhaul of the Department of Transportation are just a few of Mark's efforts to make government more customer-friendly.
Improving Health Care
Mark has consistently voted to reduce the cost of health care and prescription drugs. He believes we can lower the cost of medications by using the states' bulk-buying power and allowing people to purchase drugs from Canada. By harnessing the negotiating power of thousands of people and businesses, we can also drive down the costs with consumer-purchasing pools. Expanding in-home care services can keep people at home and out of more costly hospitals and nursing homes.
Real Leadership
Mark understands that by working together, much can be accomplished. That attitude is what has made him so successful in Olympia. He's willing to work with anyone- Republicans and Democrats- to find solutions and solve problems. As our State Representative, Mark continues to work exceptionally hard and give us straight-forward and honest representation.