Priorities and Plans
Housing & Affordability
Housing is a human right. That’s not just a slogan; it’s a belief rooted in the idea that everyone deserves the dignity and stability of a home. Right now, that’s out of reach for too many people in Burien. Rents have skyrocketed. Families are being pushed out. And while we’ve seen some progress, let’s be honest: we haven’t done enough.
Power only matters if we use it to make life better for people. We need bold action and real follow-through.
What I’ll Do:
Support zoning reforms that allow for denser, mixed-use neighborhoods so more housing gets built near shops, transit, and jobs.
Enforce renter protections already on the books and expand tenant outreach so people know their rights and feel safe reporting violations.
Partner regionally to bring in more funding and shelter options and stop turning down offers like the $1 million and 35 Pallet shelters King County made available to us.
Fight displacement by ensuring new housing includes affordability, and by prioritizing community-led development where possible.
As an attorney, I know housing policy is complex. But I also know the basics: when supply is too low, prices go up. We need to increase the number of homes in Burien while protecting the people who already live here. Everyone deserves a chance to stay, build roots, and thrive in this community.
Safe Streets for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Every morning, I walk my son to daycare in his stroller, and too often we’re just feet from cars speeding through our neighborhood. It’s a daily reminder that our streets weren’t built with
families in mind. Burien has too many areas without sidewalks, too much speeding, and not enough infrastructure to protect the people walking and biking through our city.
We need to focus on safety for our growing community.
What I’ll Do:
Prioritize low-cost traffic calming measures like speed bumps, traffic circles, and lower speed limits where people walk, bike, and play.
Fix outdated walk signals, including making “walk” the default in some areas without requiring a button press. Cars should yield to pedestrians, not the other way around.
Support building more sidewalks and bike lanes when funding allows, especially in high-need neighborhoods.
Connect housing and walkability by supporting mixed-use zoning, so people can live near businesses and services without needing a car.
Safe streets save lives, and we don’t need a massive budget to start making real changes.
Government Transparency & Accountability
When voters pass an initiative by a 57–43% margin, they expect it to be honored, not dragged into court. But that’s exactly what happened when the Burien City Council chose to sue over the public’s decision to raise the minimum wage. Even worse, that choice was made behind closed doors, in executive session, with no public input. That’s not how democracy should work.
I’m running because I believe Burien deserves a government that listens, explains its decisions, and meets people where they are, and not just when it's convenient.
What I’ll Do:
End closed-door decision-making on major policy issues and bring those debates into the public eye.
Push for council meetings to be held after 6PM to ensure working people and families can attend and participate.
Fight to eliminate categories at public comment that prioritize some voices over others—everyone deserves to speak.
Expand civic outreach to residents who can’t attend meetings by improving communication channels and building proactive engagement strategies.
I believe deeply in the power of listening. As a community, we won’t always agree, but we can show up with respect, honesty, and humility. I want people to feel heard, even when we land on different sides of an issue. That’s how you rebuild trust in government—and that’s the kind of councilmember I intend to be.
Affordable Child Care
As a parent, I know firsthand how hard it is to find quality, affordable childcare. Families are stretched thin and the cost of care can be just as high as rent. That’s not sustainable.
We already treat K–12 education as a public good. We should do the same for early childhood care and education.
What I’ll Do:
Advocate for partnerships and funding to expand access to affordable child care in Burien.
Support zoning and permitting changes that allow child care centers to open in more locations.
Champion child care as a critical component of economic development and family wellbeing.
Climate Action & Green Space
Climate change isn’t abstract: it’s already affecting our health, our safety, and our quality of life. Our city adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2021, but the Council hasn’t revisited it in years. That needs to change.
We can lead on climate, even with a limited budget.
What I’ll Do:
Prioritize a full review and update of Burien’s Climate Action Plan.
Expand tree canopy and green space access—especially in underserved neighborhoods.
Encourage walkable, mixed-use development that reduces car reliance and emissions.
Youth Development
I’m a child abuse survivor. I know what it means to live through trauma, and what it means to find belonging and purpose in your community.
Every young person in Burien deserves a place where they feel safe, supported, and seen.
What I’ll Do:
Invest in youth programs that offer mentorship, recreation, and creative outlets.
Support community organizations that provide services for teens and at-risk youth.
Ensure young people have a voice in shaping the future of our city.