2022 Candidates

Name: Rep. Jamila E. Taylor

Education: JD, University of Oregon School of Law

Current mailing address: PO Box 3996, Federal Way, WA 98063

Telephone: 206-486-5493

Email: info@electjamilataylor.com

Website: https://www.electjamilataylor.com       

Business and Economic Issues

A talent pipeline is a critical component to a resilient business community.  Washington State is experiencing significant workforce issues in the post-COVID economic climate.  How will you address the need of Washington State, and particularly Federal Way, businesses for a skilled and trained workforce?  

As a legislator and a community advocate, I have witnessed how much our state’s workforce has shifted due to the post-COVID economic climate, but also recent living expenses rapidly increases and lack of training available for young people. In order to address the needs of Washington state I believe we must focus on increasing wages and benefits for workers, and increasing opportunities for apprenticeship programs. The pandemic has posed new challenges to meeting basic needs for hundreds of Washingtonians, and changed availability of quality education and training programs. I support laws like the Davis-Bacon Act that utilize our tax dollars to protect workers and their families by establishing prevailing wage laws, laws which ensure that workers receive fair compensation for their labor. I am committed to continuing to uphold prevailing wage laws and continuing to ensure Washington’s workers receive fair and competitive wages. Additionally, I strongly support apprenticeships and the expansion of these programs to open up construction labor to those who seek it. I have seen apprenticeships help court-involved youth become positively involved in the community. I support efforts to expand apprenticeships to help a larger and more diverse group of people, including our Veterans. Apprenticeship programs must be strengthened and supported by elected officials. I have prioritized this goal within the legislature, co-sponsoring initiatives such as House Bill 1504, which increased the investment in workforce education, and am excited to continue prioritizing apprenticeship program utilization and workforce education issues.

The Chamber’s 2022 Sector Data report noted the economic impact of six Department of Commerce focus industries for job growth.  Which of those six do you think should be the focus of strategic business attraction for Greater Federal Way?  Please explain why.    

The state’s population growth is still expected to rise, and Federal Way is in the top 20 fastest growing cities in Washington. The strategic focus could prioritize the Information and communication economic sector since it experienced 16% growth (2015-2020).  The types of commercial properties available in the 30th may suit this sector very well.  If the region can concentrate on expanding transportation oriented housing near light rail on 320th, new residents looking for condos, local retail, and entertainment in our 320th economic center, may have great options for long term residency. The secondary priority could be the Healthcare industry. This sector is the second largest in the district. South King county residents are aging and will need more health care services. The potential attraction of 30th district residents to enter stable, high-paying jobs in our region will continue to increase as we close the health-sector labor shortage.  Lastly, the district has the potential to continue the growth in the construction industry and outperform the national average for employees in an area of this size as investments for infrastructure repair and redevelopment are deployed in this region. The 30th District has incredible talent ready to be tapped in this region.

Do you support the Chamber’s vision of Federal Way as the hub for collaborative economic development in the Central and South Puget Sound region?  Why or why not?

Absolutely, I am a firm believer in the Chamber’s vision of Federal Way and will be a strong advocate for collaborative, economic development in our region. This is why I sponsored $700,000 in the state budget to support the work of the Federal Way Chamber.  We have a thriving and vibrant population in Federal Way but have also been hit hard by the pandemic and the two years of recovery we have been in. Having a centralized, community-driven way to build economic empowerment is something I greatly believe in, and the residents of the 30th would greatly benefit from it. I am strongly committed to supporting the Chamber, and working with Chamber members who also understand our community and what we need to bolster Federal Way’s economy.

Community Questions

Retail theft and public safety is a major concern in communities across Washington.  One of the most common ways thieves sell stolen goods is online.  Do you support or oppose legislation requiring high-volume third-party internet platforms to disclose basic information to provide transparency to both consumers and law enforcement such as is contained in the INFORM Act (HB 1614)? Why or Why not?

Yes, public safety issues have harmed many members of our community and advancing bills addressing crime prevention is one of my top priorities. I will support legislation that requires this disclosure, so long as it is not disclosing private information. While I strongly believe in data transparency, I also believe in the right for each Washingtonian to feel safe, and thus ensuring that addresses, social security numbers, etc. remain solely in the hands of them as the consumer.

Homelessness continues to be a national and state-wide issue impacting businesses and their communities. Who do you believe should be addressing the issue of homelessness and how?

I believe solving homelessness will need a joint effort between the legislature and communities who understand their neighborhoods and are feeling the weight of the unhoused crisis. I am a strong advocate that we must expand options for affordable housing. In addition to serving as the Vice Chair of the Housing, Human Services and Veterans Committee within the State Legislature, my prior work as a nonprofit director, a small business owner, landlord, and the manager of a complex household budget have uniquely prepared me with the tools to address the housing and homelessness crisis facing Washington. I understand the pressures families in our community are under, and the need to maximize resources and deliver services efficiently. In Olympia I am fighting to ensure every family -- regardless of employment status and income -- can keep a roof over their head and access critical services.  The root causes of homelessness are complex and often interconnected.  From lagging wages, domestic violence, substance use, mental illness to the lack of market rate housing, the response to housing shortage in our region requires thoughtful policy-making. In the legislature, I supported targeted housing-related resources for landlords, tenants, first-time home buyers, seniors and those with developmental disabilities.

Political Engagement

What elected offices have you held and how has that experience prepared you for the Legislature?           

I was elected 30th State Representative in 2020. In my first term I have become vice chair of the Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. My interests as a legislator are informed by the values of education and public instilled in me by my family, and I am honored to seek re-election in the 30th district. You can review my legislative accomplishments via https://www.electjamilataylor.com/first-term/. Serving the community through leadership has always been at the core of my work ethic. I began my commitment to community involvement as a Girl Scout. From my first board directorship in 1994 for the American Red Cross of Lane County, Oregon to my work on the Federal Way Human Service Commission concluding in 2020, I have served in countless formal and informal leadership positions. Each experience introduced me to a new area of work in policy and community organizing work and taught me what life would be like if we had an informed politician, who understands all the organizations that support one's community, run for office. This served as my pillar to continue advocacy as a legislator to Olympia.

How does your campaign engage with the community (i.e., local office, door-to-door, Town Hall meetings, phone calls, emails), and how has the pandemic impacted your engagement? Do you plan to continue the same involvement if elected?

While the pandemic had greatly shifted the way I could directly communicate with constituents, I was proud to hold virtual town halls alongside other leaders of the 30th district, to directly hear what was impacting our community and the thoughts constituents wanted to share. As of recently, I’ve been able to attend community events, such as the student-led Inaugural Federal Way Block Party, Farmer’s Market, the Fourth of July Red, White & Blues Festival. I plan to expand the number of events I attend. The Visit Federal Way website (https://visitfw.org/) has been very helpful for finding more events. These community events have been my favorite part of the campaign and getting to see the people of Federal Way face to face, and build connections and partnerships that I plan to carry into office again after my re-election. My campaign also canvasses door-to-door, hosts phone banks and connects with community via social media.  As long as it is safe to do so, I plan to continue the same involvement I currently have, as it is the best way for me to be the voice of my community.

Does your campaign use local District 30 businesses in the production of marketing collateral? Why or why not?

Yes! I am proud to have collaborated and marketed my campaign in the 30th district--I have marketed my campaign in the Federal Way Mirror and other local news outlets. My printing has been done in Seattle at union-led printing organizations. In addition to the marketing collateral, I support many Federal Way small businesses with my events, meetings, and fundraisers. The campaign has sponsored events hosted at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center that had hundreds of attendees.

Campaign Activity and Finance

What are your primary sources of funding? Please note the top five (5) business contributors within District 30 and the top five (5) business contributors outside of District 30. Please also note the top five (5) individuals within District 30 and the top five (5) individuals outside of District 30. 

I am honored to have received over 65 maximum contributions to my campaign from individuals and organizations that share my values. A full list of my contributions can be found on the PDC: https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/candidates/93356/contributions

Top 5 in district (businesses)
Davita

Top 5 out of district (businesses)
Northwest Credit Union Association
Gilead Sciences
Seattle / King County Building Trades Association
DAA Northwest
Washington Beverage Association

Top 5 in district (individuals)
Quintard Taylor
Carolyn Taylor
Cynthia Ricks-Maccottan
Saudia Abdullah
Madelyn Grayson

Top 5 out of district (individuals)
Ellen Ferguson
Michelle Dotson
Tali Rausch
Brian Jacobson
Jacqueline Howard

Please share your major endorsements from the South Sound region (This scope should include the surrounding South King area in addition to Federal Way itself).          

For full list, go to: https://www.electjamilataylor.com/endorsements2020/

Newspapers: Seattle Times, Seattle Medium and The Stranger
Organizations:
30th District Democrats
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
American Federation of Teachers Washington, AFL-CIO
ARNPs United of Washington State
Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment
ATU 587
Children’s Campaign Fund
Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion
Filipino-American Political Action Group of Washington
Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Gun Sense Candidate Recognition
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Longshore and Warehouse Union
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612
Iron Workers Local Union 86
King County Democrats
LiUNA Local 242
Metropolitan Democratic Club of Seattle
National Association of Social Workers
National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington
Office and Professional Employees International Union 8
OneAmerica Votes
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Pro Choice WA
Puget Sound Pilots
Retired Public Employees Council of Washington
Seattle/King County Building & Construction Trades Council
Sierra Club
SEIU 775, 925 and 1199NW
South King County Professional Firefighters Local 2024
Teamsters Joint Council 28
Transportation for Washington
UFCW 3000
Washington Bikes
Washington Conservation of Voters
Washington Education Association
Washington Federation of State Employees – AFSCME
Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Washington State Nurses Association PAC
Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council

Endorsements and support earned from: councilmembers of Auburn, Black Diamond, Des Moines, Kent, King County, Renton, Redmond, and Tukwila; several South King County State Legislators and Port Commissioners, Congressman Adam Smith; and State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, among other community leaders.

Have you contracted with a firm or individual to manage your campaign? If so, please provide the name and address of the firm/ individual.

Northwest Passage Consulting (NWP)
Erin Schultz
erin@nwpconsulting.com

Name: Casey Jones

Education: Masters

Current mailing address: 1911 SW Campus Dr #468, Federal Way, WA 98023

Telephone: 253-349-1150

Email: friendsofcaseyjones@comcast.net

Website: www.friendsofcaseyjones.com

Business and Economic Issues

A talent pipeline is a critical component to a resilient business community.  Washington State is experiencing significant workforce issues in the post-COVID economic climate.  How will you address the need of Washington State, and particularly Federal Way, businesses for a skilled and trained workforce?  

I would establish or support legislation that expands partnerships between high schools, colleges, universities, and the business community.  Students need more opportunities for job training in the fields in which they are interested.  These partnerships should include programs in which students can receive instruction and training that allows them to gain workplace experiences.  Students should also be able to receive certificates or license that would allow them to immediately enter the workforce upon completion or graduation.  Businesses in our community can also partner with schools for placement, internships, and specific training to meet certain job requirements.  The Puget Sound Skills Center should be expanded to accommodate the growth or needs of certain job positions.  They cannot currently handle the capacity to support the amount of interest in attending classes.  I would allocate more funding to advance academics, workforce training, and to remove certain barriers or speed bumps that prevent people from using the programs.  The barriers can include English proficiency, child care, and other family obligations.  The focus should be on jobs and skills that are forecasted to be needed in the soon-to-arrive future.

The Chamber’s 2022 Sector Data report noted the economic impact of six Department of Commerce focus industries for job growth.  Which of those six do you think should be the focus of strategic business attraction for Greater Federal Way?  Please explain why.    

We are fortunate to have major aerospace industry in our area but I don't believe aerospace should be the main focus.  I see additional important focus points in the areas of communication/IT and healthcare.   Both of these are on the "STRONG AND ADVANCING" sides of the growth forecast.  As we incorporate more and more IT into our lives, there is more and more need to advance IT development on several IT/communications fronts such as hardware, software, support, networking, and cloud data.  For healthcare, there is a shortage of healthcare workers.  People are living longer, the baby boomers are aging, and positions at all levels of healthcare are going unfilled.

Do you support the Chamber’s vision of Federal Way as the hub for collaborative economic development in the Central and South Puget Sound region?  Why or why not?

Yes I support this endeavor.  With advances in transportation like light rail, our workforce is even more regionalized that it was previously.  Federal Way is centrally located and can be conduit through which other regions can collaborate.

Community Questions

Retail theft and public safety is a major concern in communities across Washington.  One of the most common ways thieves sell stolen goods is online.  Do you support or oppose legislation requiring high-volume third-party internet platforms to disclose basic information to provide transparency to both consumers and law enforcement such as is contained in the INFORM Act (HB 1614)? Why or Why not?

Organized retail theft should be confronted at several levels.  Police departments need to work with retailers to curb theft and to have accountability for those who steal.  The police department should also take their investigations further and look past the theft portions of the crimes.  They should look at where the thieves take the stolen products.  Many thieves are drug-impacted and have other issues through which criminal enterprises can take advantage of them.  In addition to the thieves themselves, law enforcement should focus on the trafficking of the stolen goods and seek accountability for those who profit from the stolen goods and from vulnerable people.  I would support legislation like HB1614 but I also want to make sure that the legislation would not put an undue burden on stores and sellers.

Homelessness continues to be a national and state-wide issue impacting businesses and their communities. Who do you believe should be addressing the issue of homelessness and how?

Homelessness should be addressed through coordination with different groups.  Service groups need to focus on wrap-around services for the homeless who truly are "down on their luck".  Mental health professionals must focus on the the portion of homelessness that is caused by debilitating mental disease.  Law enforcement, the judicial system, and drug-treatment centers should focus on those people who are homeless because of drug abuse.  When our legislature failed to properly address the Washington State Supreme Court's decision in the Blake matter, our communities began to suffer even more.  I would establish legislation to make hard drugs like methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl felonies again.  I would add drug-treatment as mandatory to all convictions.  This is not currently happening because of the legalization of hard drugs.  Our communities are suffering and people are dying because current legislation restrictions do not allow law enforcement to actually enforce the current drug laws.

Political Engagement

What elected offices have you held and how has that experience prepared you for the Legislature?           

I am new to politics and have never held an elected position.  I became interested in politics  when I was young I was a page for the House of Representatives and for the Senate and I later earned a bachelor's degree in political science.  I have been a law enforcement officer for 28 years and began my campaign with the intent to reform the recent legislative changes that prohibited officers from doing their jobs.

How does your campaign engage with the community (i.e., local office, door-to-door, Town Hall meetings, phone calls, emails), and how has the pandemic impacted your engagement? Do you plan to continue the same involvement if elected?

We have an office in Federal Way and I have been going door-to-door in the communities that make-up the 30th Legislative District.  I routinely take phone calls from people who have  questions.  The pandemic has impacted my engagement in that I carry a mask when meeting people in-person and I use social distancing to minimize exposure.  I will continue to engage with the community after I am elected.

Does your campaign use local District 30 businesses in the production of marketing collateral? Why or why not?

For printed materials, I engage with a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate who has multiple store locations in the region.  For public meeting locations, my team uses local businesses and restaurants.  I schedule lobbyist meetings at local restaurants and coffee shops.  Our office is in Federal Way and we use materials bought in Federal Way.

Campaign Activity and Finance

What are your primary sources of funding? Please note the top five (5) business contributors within District 30 and the top five (5) business contributors outside of District 30. Please also note the top five (5) individuals within District 30 and the top five (5) individuals outside of District 30. 

I have received funds from Washington Business Properties Association, Kemper Holdings, Washington Food Industry Association, Georgia-Pacific, Associated Builders and Contractors or Washington, Northwest Dairymen's, Brian Heywood, and Alyssa Petrie from outside of the district.  Carolyn Hoover, Craig and Anna Patrick, Bob and Susan Strong, Larry Huisinga, Steve and Pat Gentry, and Jim Ross are some of the many supporters from within the district.

Please share your major endorsements from the South Sound region (This scope should include the surrounding South King area in addition to Federal Way itself).          

Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, Federal Way Police Officers Guild, Federal Way Police Lieutenants Association, King County Police Officers Guild, Puget Sound Police Mangers Association, Des Moines Police Guild, Stand Up Federal Way

Have you contracted with a firm or individual to manage your campaign? If so, please provide the name and address of the firm/ individual.

I have hired Leo Cantillo as my manager.  His phone number is 201-359-7518. 1911 SW Campus Drive #468, Federal Way, WA 98023