Every candidate should be able to tell you their priorities. They should be able to clearly articulate where they stand on the important challenges and issues facing Washington State.
Here's an outline of my priorities and positions on the major issues in Washington State. If you have a question about these issues or others, please send me an e-mail by clicking the "Contact Us" tab on the top menu bar.
Strengthening Our Economy
One thing remains unchanged in the modern global economy: success is earned. The regions with highly-skilled and hard-working people will be the economic leaders of the world. Their people will have the most access to rewarding careers, a wide selection of good jobs, more economic security, less poverty, and all the benefits of a strong economy built on a sound foundation. I have repeatedly taken a stand to make sure that our region continues to fit this description, now and for decades to come. Nothing is more important to our economy than the skills, education, and hard work of all our people.
In my first term in the legislature, I passed laws creating business internships for high school students, making college more affordable, training unemployed workers for new jobs in high-demand industries, cutting red tape for small businesses, and creating thousands of new jobs in energy efficiency and clean energy. For more detail, se the real results achieved in my first term.
These reforms are a good start, but only the beginning. We need long-term leadership, to keep our state focused on expanding our middle class and growing our economy, by focusing on the skills, education, and work ethic of our people. For more detail, read The Washington Way, my long-term approach for Washington’s economy.
Demanding Fiscal Responsibility
Tim has fought spending, debt, and taxes for years. He set a personal example by cutting his own office budget in half and refusing his own pay during special session. He voted against all taxes and against the state budget. Long before he was an elected official, Tim exercised his rights as a citizen and publicly fought against the debt-and-spend mentality, predicting it would have severe economic repercussions. Tim’s actions speak louder than words. He has arecord of fiscal responsibility that is second-to-none.
Tim also supports the "rainy day fund" to ensure we are ready for fiscal emergencies in the future. This stands insharp contrast to the deficits created at the federal level which will leave our kids in debt for generations to come. He supports performance audits and outcome measures to ensure we are maximizing the impact of every dollar. Tim has designed performance accountability systems, and he understands the details that can make performance measurements highlyeffective.
Government must learn to live within a budgetjust like our families do every day. It’s time to make it a reality!
Ensuring A Quality Education For Every Child
K-12 Education
We can make high school more relevant and even more valuable to students, and also drive the dropout rate down, by providing interesting internships in fields the students are exploring, and letting students know that there are good jobs waiting for them if they pursue a specific pathway of education or job skills training.
I understand the importance of education, especially in the today’s knowledge-driven economy. I stand for effective education reforms for our children and our economic future.
College Affordability
The GI Bill sent my Uncle Bob to college. He was the first one in the steel-working Probst family to have that opportunity.
My grandparents were so impressed with Uncle Bob’s experience that they scrimped and save to send his little brother, my Dad, to college. I followed in their footsteps, and now three Probsts have graduated from the University of Notre Dame. My Dad and Uncle, following their roots, gained degrees in metallurgy. Dad worked for NASA and Uncle Bob in medical and dental instruments. I (the black sheep!) earned a degree with honors in Government and International Relations, and now I work to help more people gain skills and employment. Without the GI Bill, none of this would have happened. I am proud of my record of working to expand such good fortune to other families."
Investing In Transportation
The 17th District has had great representation from Deb Wallace on transportation. It has led to new construction on Interstate 205, SR 500 and many, smaller projects around the district.
Our transportation needs in Clark County will continue to grow as more people move to and move through Clark County every day.
