Mark Mullet in 2024 WA Governor's race
On Abortion:
Enshrine the right to abortion in our state's constitution
With a 100% pro-choice voting record, the Democratic state senator commits to constitutional protection of reproductive rights. "If elected Governor, my first priority will be to enshrine the right to abortion in our state's constitution," said
Mullet. "I worry for the future of my daughters and their families, as our country experiences a nationwide assault on women's health and rights. For their sake, our state must continue to have the strongest reproductive protections in the nation."
Source: 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race press release "Enshrine"
Jun 24, 2023
On Crime:
Restore law enforcement's ability to pursue criminals
Mullet reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Washington communities and called for stronger public safety leadership. Mullet was endorsed by the Washington Council of Police And Sheriffs (WACOPS) and the Law Enforcement Administrators of
Washington (LAW). "We need new leadership and fresh perspectives when it comes to public safety. I led the charge to restore law enforcement's ability to pursue criminals and prevent hard drugs from becoming legal."
Source: 2024 Washington Governor race press release "Public Safety"
Jul 11, 2023
On Families & Children:
Remove Christian Science exemption for treating children
When it comes to issues of child abuse or neglect, followers of Christian Science should be held to the same standards as members of other groups, says Mullet. The Bellingham Herald reports that he has introduced a bill
that would eliminate an exemption in Washington state law that allows Christian Scientists --but not members of other religious groups--to treat their children with prayer or faith-healing methods instead of traditional medicine.
Source: Religious News Blog on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2023
On Civil Rights:
Voted against repeal of state ban on affirmative action
Late Sunday night the Legislature passed Initiative 1000, which effectively repealed Washington's 20-year ban on affirmative action in public employment, college admissions, and public contracting. Mullet said he'd probably personally vote for
I-1000 if it were an initiative on the ballot, but ultimately, he said, he was going to vote against it on the floor in order to keep "a verbal promise" he made to opponents of the measure.
Source: The Stranger blog on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2022
On Tax Reform:
Voted against capital gains tax to fund state's schools
Mullet memorably voted against levying a capital gains tax on the wealthy to fund our schools
two years ago--a tax that is now bringing in crucially needed revenue for our kids and our schools. He was only one of three Democratic senators to do so.
Source: Cascadia Advocate on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Jul 19, 2022
On Tax Reform:
We can't keep solving every problem by creating a new tax
[On taxes & spending]: 'I'm one hundred percent convinced that will make housing affordable. I'm one hundred percent convinced that we could fight climate change without having the highest gas prices in the country, and
I'm one hundred percent convinced that we can't keep solving every problem by creating a new tax,' said Mullet. 'Every tax, not one on its own, but once you start adding them it that slowly makes a state unaffordable.'
Source: Lynnwood Times on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Oct 29, 2023
On Corporations:
It's time for a small business owner mentality
We need a small business owner in the Governor's office so we can create more good paying jobs. Every Governor for the past three decades has been a lawyer, it is time for a small business owner mentality in the Governor's office.
This will enable us to get more bang for our buck out of our current tax dollars instead of asking for new taxes every year.
The unemployment rate in Washington is already higher than the national average. The unemployment rate gets even worse when you look at rural communities.
We need a governor who will support the business community, not sue it. This will be key to creating jobs for our own children going forward.
Source: Candidate Connection: 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Crime:
State partnerships to invest in local public safety
We have to make progress on public safety. I'm proud to be endorsed by both WACOPS and LAW (Police Chiefs and Sheriffs). The state needs to step up and be a better financial partner to any city or county who wants to make investments in local public
safety. This means access to secure substance abuse treatment facilities, more mental health access, and more officers on the street. We also need these officers to know that the Governor will have their back when times get tough.
Source: Candidate Connection: 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Drugs:
Share state cannabis tax revenue with cities and counties
I will be extremely active in the state budgeting process. My background is finance, and I currently chair our state construction budget. The budget bill is the single most important bill that passes every year. I will lay out a framework for the budget
that gets us out of our current silo budgeting mentality.When we have state operating budget growth, we will share that growth with the transportation budget so we can avoid traffic misery for Washington residents.
We will do a better job of sharing state cannabis tax revenue with cities and counties that want to focus on public safety improvements. We will provide state financial support to any city or county
that creates a permit system that is both predictable and quick. All of these goals can be accomplished through the budget framework.
Source: Candidate Connection: 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Social Security:
Long-term care payroll tax is unnecessary tax increase
I am laser focused on making our state more affordable. My wife Kelley and I want our own six children to be able to afford to live in Washington after they finish school.-
We can fight climate change without having the highest gas prices in America.
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I have a proven track record of voting against unnecessary tax increases, like the long-term care payroll tax (I'm supporting the initiative to make this tax optional).
- As the chair of our state construction budget, I know
from firsthand experience that there is too much red tape in our building permit process, which is driving up costs and making out state unaffordable. I promise to build more housing, which will be the key to making our state affordable again.
Source: Candidate Connection: 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Technology:
Traffic sucks; prioritize infrastructure investments
I have focused on a few different areas during my time in the Senate.- Improving financial literacy in our public schools (SB 5720).
- Expanding access to college in the high school classes so more high school students can earn college
credit while in high school without having to pay extra money (SB 5048).
- I was part of the Senate negotiation team that passed the 2022 transportation budget. Traffic sucks, and we need a Governor who will prioritize infrastructure investments.
The average Washington resident currently wastes 58 hours a year stuck in traffic. We can and must do better.
- Led the effort to join the
Nurse Licensure Compact so out-of-state nurses aren't stuck with red tape to get a job here. (SB 5499)
Source: Candidate Connection: 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Health Care:
Supports opting out of state long-term care program
The Northwest Progressive Institute is blasting state Sen. Mark Mullet over his decision to officially endorse Initiative 2124, which would make participation in the WA Cares program voluntary. The voter's pamphlet argument for I-2124 that Mullet
helped craft, reads in part, "Washington workers should have the choice over whether their hard-earned money is taking to fund the program. Voting 'yes' makes the payroll tax voluntary and gives workers the choice to remain in or leave the program."
Source: The Center Square on 2024 Washington Gubernatorial race
Sep 4, 2024
Page last updated: Oct 31, 2024