SUCCESSES!

Jessica believes in transparency and accountability.
Here are some highlights and successes she lead on as an elected official.

Tenant Protections

Successfully advocated for the following:
- 120 days notice for increases above 3%
- 180 days for increases above 10%
- Social security number cannot be required to apply for a rental home
- Renters on a fixed income like social security can adjust their rent due date

WA's First Public Drone Show

Successfully advocated for a drone show/light show in the City's Derby Days festivities as a replacement for fireworks benefiting the environment, pets, community members with PTSD, and victims of school shootings. Drone shows have since become a popular alternative throughout the region.

Impact Fee Usage Statewide

 At a Council Meeting Jessica asked if Impact Fees would be used for separated bike/pedestrian infrastructure. The answer was "that's not allowed". She requested the City advocate to change the law which lead to SB 5452 - 2023-24 authorizing impact fee revenue to fund improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities statewide.

Ground Water Protection

Sponsored legislation to protect the city's drinking water, 40% of which comes from the aquifer below Redmond, that prohibits the bottling and sale of our critical natural resource with an additional focus on water usage at data centers. Pending final adoption.

Data Privacy

Worked proactively with Police to strengthen Data Governance Practices and Policies to ensure your data privacy is taken seriously which lead to community member data not being exposed in a the recent Flock camera data breech. 

Transportation Choices

As co-chair of the Eastrail, opened the first fully paved portion of the trail allowing safer regional connection to light rail. Additionally, Jessica was a driving voice for the all-way pedestrian crossing making connections even safer.

Senior & Community Center

Successfully advocated for early bond funding to counter rising interest rates. Saving hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars and freeing up funding for other critical projects. 

Demilitarization

After community outreach, proactively lobbied for the demilitarization of the Police force with the sale of the City's outdated militarized tactical vehicle that was costing tax payers while rarely being utilized.

LGTBQIA+ and Public Art

Successfully advocated for the creation of an LGBTQIA+ crosswalk which was run through the Arts and Culture Commission and ensured an inclusive process with the community.

Eviction Moratorium Letter

Successfully brought forward the motion (6-1) for Council to send a unified letter to Governor Inslee requesting the extension the Eviction Moratorium through December 2021 to allow tenants & landlords more time to access funding and keep people housed. 

Student Resource Officers

After hearing concerns from our Community, successfully moved to amended (7-0) the Student Resource Officer program to be reviewed by Council after the one year pilot program. Amended the agreement to be in effect until 2023, from the initially proposed 2025 date.

Essential Healthcare

Wrote and brought forward a letter in response to SCOTUS on overturning Roe v. Wade urging the President, Federal, and State delegations to protect the right to choose and healthcare rights for those who can become pregnant.

CIP Proviso

Advocated for the development of a Capital Investments Program Proviso process which provides the public with greater transparency and accountability on how tax dollars are spent.

Senior Lunch Program

Successfully advocated for additional pandemic grant funding to go toward the Senior Lunch Program with the intention of responding to Senior feedback that lunches weren't filling or healthy enough.

Small Business Support 

Worked to bring forward grant proposals, rent freeze resolutions, and alternative solutions to support our business community during the pandemic. Resulting in OneRedmond's Small Business Grant Program helping over 360 small and micro businesses.

Climate Emergency Declaration

Co-authored Redmond's Climate Emergency Declaration with actionable strategies and goals to address climate change that go above and beyond the City's Environmental Strategic Plan.

$2.5 Million in Additional Human Services Funding

Successfully advocated during the 2021-22 budget deliberations for an additional $2.5 million dollars of funding to support Human Services efforts due to effects of Covid-19.

State Legislature Testimony

Senate Bill 5323 : Plastic Bag Ban
House Bill 1099 : Growth Management Act
Senate Bill 5171 : Gendered Product Pricing
Senate Bill 5203 : Climate Change 
House Bill 1181 : Climate Change  
House Bill 1448 : Ranked Choice Voting  
House Bill 1217 : Rent Stabilization 
...and more 

 Juneteenth Proclamation

Humbled to have written the first Juneteenth Proclamation in Redmond's nearly 150 year history, honoring and celebrating our Black community members and opening a dialogue with community.

Undoing Systemic Racism

Provided funding in the City budget to commit to undoing systemic racism with action items including full time staff and a commitment to a hosted DEI Community Conversation.

Anti-Islamophobia

Co-sponsored Resolution 1534 Draft B,  intended to undo the harm of Islamophobia and hateful rhetoric in Redmond and uplift the voices calling for action in our community.

Anti-Bias Resolution : Covid-19

Incredibly proud to have co-written Resolution No. 1531AM declaring Redmond's commitment to an inclusive community during the pandemic.

Rules of Procedure Update

Proactively collaborated with colleagues to update Redmond City Council's Rules of Procedure with a focus on Emergency Procedures and Virtual Meetings in response to Pandemic.

Small Business Awareness 

Raised the level of awareness around small businesses struggling to pay rent and stay afloat due to the prolonged pandemic restrictions with Senators, House Representatives, and Governor Inslee's Chief Policy Advisor.  

Have an idea that may benefit the community?

Reach out and share your thoughts! 
Great ideas come from engaged citizens like you. Please reach out and share your ideas and let's make them a success together!
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