ISSUES & PRIORITIES
Amy Walen is a dedicated advocate for the people of Washington’s 48th District, championing policies that support working families, small businesses, and a thriving local community.
Amy believes effective leadership is rooted in listening and acting with integrity—a philosophy she’s carried with her through every role, from the Kirkland City Council to the Washington State Legislature.
Issues
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Our families are feeling pinched with increased housing prices, the lingering effects of Trump Tariffs, increased gas prices due to Trump’s adventures in the Middle East and inflation that continues to hit working families. I have constantly supported tax relief to lower income and small businesses, increased investments in housing and increased opportunities to build housing by passing the missing middle housing bill and tax exemptions for multifamily housing.
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Feeling safe in your neighborhood is fundamental to a strong community. I’m committed to making sure everyone; families, seniors, small business owners, and young people can feel safe where they live, work, and gather.
Public safety means more than responding to crime; it’s about prevention, trust, and accountability. I support a balanced approach that invests in well-trained, community-focused law enforcement while also expanding mental health and crisis response services. By addressing the root causes of crime and strengthening partnerships between communities and those who serve them, we can build safer, more connected neighborhoods.
There’s more work ahead. I’m focused on advancing policies that are fair, effective, and grounded in community needs, so every resident feels protected, respected, and heard.
Because when people feel safe, our entire community can thrive.
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Working families are the backbone of our community, and they deserve policies that have their backs. I’ve focused on strengthening consumer protections so people can keep more of what they earn and build real financial security.
That includes passing reforms to end unfair “zombie debt” collection practices, stopping collectors from reviving expired debt and putting families at risk. It’s about fairness, transparency, and making sure people aren’t trapped by outdated or deceptive practices.
There’s more to do. I’m committed to expanding access to affordable childcare, advancing wage equity, and protecting paid family leave so families don’t have to choose between a paycheck and caring for loved ones.
Because when working families are supported, our entire community is stronger.
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Healthy communities are built on trust, dignity, and the freedom to make personal healthcare decisions. I believe those decisions belong to individuals, not the government.
I’m committed to protecting and strengthening access to reproductive healthcare in Washington, including safeguarding the right to choose. That means ensuring people can make deeply personal decisions with the guidance of their healthcare providers, with privacy, respect, and without political interference.
At the same time, I’m focused on expanding access to care more broadly, so everyone in our community can get the services they need, when they need them.
Because when people have the freedom and support to make their own healthcare decisions, our entire community is healthier and stronger.
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Protecting our environment is essential to the health, quality of life, and future of our community. From cleaner air to preserved green spaces, these are the things that make our region a place people are proud to call home.
I’ve been working on these issues for years; advocating for policies like Washington’s plastic bag ban during my time on the Kirkland City Council, and supporting efforts to transition to clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and protect our natural resources.
But we know there’s more to do. I’m committed to advancing solutions like a low-carbon fuel standard and investing in better transportation options that reduce emissions and give people real alternatives to driving.
Just as important, we need to make sure these efforts are fair, so the cost of progress doesn’t fall on working families and local communities.
Because building a more sustainable future isn’t just about protecting the environment, it’s about protecting our community for generations to come.
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Our government will never have enough money to do
everything we need it to do. Therefore, we need to ensure that the money we have is being spent wisely. Recent revelations about the regional homelessness authority are a good example of funds being misspent - let’s ensure that our public money goes where it needs to help people, not on waste or fraud. At the state level, we’ve seen CRP funds obtained from the state Department of Commerce being used to enrich those running the programs or connected to those who do. As chair of the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee, I'm committed to ensuring that public money does what it should - to benefit the public. -
My district is heavily populated by tech workers, and recent layoffs / buyouts at Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Expedia, Zillow, Meta and other tech companies, along with the rise of AI, means that we need to buckle down and focus on expanding the economy, which will bring in more revenue. While we did pass some relief for small businesses as part of the Millionaires tax, that is offset by the large increase in UI premiums that are rising at the same time. Similarly, I’m very troubled by the downgrading the credit rating of the state, which will result in more public money being spent on interest, not on programs that help people