Stopped all proposals for private financing and control of our public roads and freeways, insisting that all state projects be built with public financing in transportation, such as the very successful new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Re-structured transportation governance, requiring the Director of Transportation to be hired and fired by the Governor, thereby bringing a much clearer line of authority, responsibility and accountability.
Expanded civil rights for gays and lesbians, prohibiting discrimination in employment, finances, and other arenas.
Created and greatly expanded a Domestic Partnership Registry, providing gays and lesbians with many of the same rights as married couples.
Enacted legislation greatly expanding performance audits of programs in state agencies as well as preferences in the state's tax code, increasing the power of the State Auditor, who is independently elected, to employ this tool for accountability.
Blocked all proposals for undoing energy industry regulation, inoculating Washington State from most of the economic disasters of deregulated energy markets.
Reformed drug sentencing laws, encouraging the use of treatment rather than incarceration of non-violent drug offenders.
Reformed the offender re-entry system, getting smart on fighting crime by reducing the causes and factors of recidivism by prisoners re-entering society.
Created one of the most progressive welfare reform efforts in the nation, Community Jobs, which is turning welfare checks into pay checks and providing economic opportunity for tens of thousands of low-income people.
Enacted a long list of sex offender laws, among the toughest in the nation, increasing prison sentences and other punishments for those who commit such crimes, and providing greater funding for services and advocacy for victims.
Required the reporting of sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy and other similar positions of trust.
Mandated insurance fair conduct, empowering citizens to receive triple damages if insurance companies unreasonably refuse or delay payment of legitimate insurance claims.
Enacted a package of laws for medical malpractice reform, to ensure greater safety for patients, while at the same time, lower the costs of health care.
Passed legislation to improve patient safety, through stronger disciplinary standards and licensing for all health care providers and mental health counselors, as well as making real-time information more available for doctors and pharmacists to reduce medical errors.
Mandated health insurance reforms in the "individual market," requiring the state's Insurance Commissioner to review and approve or deny increases in insurance premiums.
Enacted mortgage loan regulations, protecting consumers from unscrupulous financing, requiring mortgage brokers to work in the best interests of consumers, and promoting financial literacy through education and counseling for greater homeowner security.
Expanded tenant rights when rental units are converted to condominiums, requiring much greater notification, relocation assistance, and other protections.
Authorized local governments to create public campaign financing, helping reduce the impact of special interests in elections.
Created the Working Families Tax Credit, to provide low-wage workers with tax relief similar to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, making our tax system more fair and helping families to make ends meet.
Defended the people's right to privacy, including limits on "data skimming" of personal information garnered from radio-frequency-identification-devices (RFIDs), requiring consent before cell phone numbers are disclosed, and other measures.
Began a complete reform of the state ferry system, slashing expenses in headquarters administration, starting construction of six new ferry boats, and better prioritizing the operating and capital budgets.
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