Housing costs—whether to develop, build, own, or rent—have skyrocketed. Some of this comes from inflation and state or federal rules, but much of it is due to local policies. With 40+ years as a land use and housing expert, I know how to actually tackle these problems. For instance, by streamlining the permitting process from 5 years to 18 months, we can easily cut costs dramatically to build must-needed housing.
Affordable housing isn’t a dream—it’s not only possible, it's probable when we eliminate excessive regulatory costs and make common-sense policy changes. I will do that.
There are two ways people think about homelessness. One says: build more roofs and the problem goes away. The other recognizes that homelessness is driven by the loss of family, community, and hope—and that rebuilding community must come first. I believe deeply in the latter.
I believe in the Community First! Village in Austin, Texas is one of the best models in the country for how to compassionately tackle homelessness. That's why I was part of the acquisition team and worked with Pierce County government on the Good Neighbor Village in Spanaway, which, although controversial due to its location and environmental impact, is no doubt a step in the right direction. These models prove we can create supportive communities that address the root causes of homelessness.
Local businesses are closing because crime has become too costly—both in dollars and in quality of life. Theft, open drug use, and a lack of accountability have made our communities feel unsafe. We must restore real consequences for crime and provide our police with the resources they need. Pierce County ranks among the lowest in the nation for officers per capita.
Public safety isn’t a partisan issue—it’s about ensuring families can shop, work, and live without fear.
Roads and bridges may not be flashy, but they are essential.
Too often, local governments chase “shiny penny” projects instead of fixing what matters. Meanwhile, traffic gets worse and roads crumble. We’ve wasted hundreds of millions on roads to nowhere. It’s time to prioritize infrastructure projects that actually serve our community—and once started, see them through to completion.
As my father taught me: if a project is worth starting, it’s worth finishing.
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