Priorities

Creating economic opportunities for all starts with recognizing a simple truth—we rise or fall as one community. This country is a beacon around the world because of the hope that it represents for a fair and just society where anyone can make it—we need to turn that hope into reality. For decades, towns and cities across the Puget Sound region and beyond have been forged by the strength of industry in the Port of Seattle.

The Port is the people who make it work. As your Commissioner, my focus has been on expanding access to meaningful opportunities, ensuring that the people who power the Port—the workers, business tenants, local entrepreneurs, and all residents—have the resources and support they need to thrive. My priorities include:

• Expanding Apprenticeship & Training Programs
• Investing in Employment Programs
• Supporting Small Business Development 
• Encouraging Business Incubators & Accelerators
• Increasing Access to Contracting Opportunities

By strengthening these pathways, we’re building a stronger, more resilient economy—one that works for everyone.

With over 50 million passengers traveling through Sea-Tac Airport each year, it is often the first entry point for most visitors and new residents to our state, and I am committed to continuing to ensure that everyone who passes through can do so safely and without fear.

As Commissioner, I have prioritized public safety by strengthening both the Port of Seattle Fire Department and the Port of Seattle Police Department, and have supported investments that ensure funding for personnel, staffing, fire stations, and critical infrastructure to meet growing demand.

I have approved critical investments in the Port Police Department, which serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Port’s maritime properties. This includes expanding efforts to combat both the drug and human trafficking crises, supporting specialized units focused on prevention, enforcement, and victim support. I have also prioritized funding for advanced tools that equip the public with vital information, empower victims to report crimes, and enhance law enforcement’s ability to investigate and dismantle human trafficking networks.

Here in King County, studies show how environmental burdens exacerbate barriers to health and safety, even decreasing life expectancy for people living near industrial areas with major transportation highways and multiple airports.

Numerous studies, both locally and globally, show that the areas most affected by environmental burdens are often in lower-income zip codes, highlighting the connection between environmental and economic disparities. Combating this reality will take a collaborative, multi-strategy approach built on honesty, accountability, and innovation. I believe that we, as a community, have the necessary resources and strength to overcome one of the most urgent challenges of our time, climate change.

As Port Commissioner, I am committed to expanding the Port of Seattle’s efforts to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, prioritizing a just transition for workers by investing in green jobs, workforce development, and equitable economic opportunities in the clean energy sector. I am committed to protecting our salmon and orca populations by restoring their habitats and working with the community.

As your Port Commissioner, I have led efforts to accelerate the Port’s Net-Zero Goal by investing in shore power at all cruise terminals, enabling vessels to turn off their engines while docked. I have also prioritized the electrification of vehicles and equipment and ensured that near-airport communities receive support for noise reduction, sound insulation, and community-led environmental projects. Additionally, I have supported shoreline and habitat restoration, investing in the restoration of wetlands, shorelines, and fish habitats to support biodiversity and protect our natural ecosystems.

Labor and jobs – this is our economy. The varied beautiful faces we encounter daily – this is our community. My priority is to provide everyone in our communities with sustainable living wage jobs and strong collective bargaining rights. Working people are struggling to make ends meet, especially as the cost of living rises due to inflation driven by global geopolitical factors, while many are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. By supporting workers through direct partnership and investing in job creation, we can expand protection for our community workforce, providing much-needed relief. We must defend the rights of labor unions, as they are critical to reducing inequality and the cornerstone of an economy that prioritizes the health and welfare of those who work the hardest.

As your Port Commissioner, I have advocated for strong labor standards, prioritizing Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions. I have also supported efforts to improve working conditions for airport workers, including the introduction of programs like ORCA Cards for all airport employees to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and lower transportation costs. Additionally, I have championed childcare studies to explore solutions that support working families. I have championed efforts to expand maritime jobs, cargo operations, and the working waterfront, ensuring that our region continues to provide strong, family-wage jobs in key industries that drive our local economy.

For the Port, stakeholders are both internal and external: everyone from the thousands of employees to small businesses, vendors, contractors, airport workers and the millions of travelers who pass through the Sea-Tac International Airport every year.  When our most impacted communities cannot access timely and accurate information, they often cannot voice their needs and access public services.

As Port Commissioner, I have prioritized accessibility to ensure that all communities can meaningfully engage with the Port’s work. This includes hosting town halls, leading Port Budget 101 sessions, and delivering presentations on key Port projects across King County, from Snoqualmie Valley to Woodinville, Seattle, Bellevue, and South King County.

In my roles at the Port, including as Chair of the Audit Committee, I have made it a priority to uphold strong public oversight and transparency, ensuring that the Port’s activities are open, understandable, and inclusive, setting the standard for transparent and accountable government.