Don Myers

Artificial intelligence is already improving healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and many other industries. I believe Washington should encourage innovation while addressing legitimate concerns about privacy, security and infrastructure.

Data centers are an important part of that future. While they don’t create large numbers of permanent jobs, they generate significant economic value and support the technology businesses rely on. As they expand, we must ensure adequate energy, water and transmission infrastructure without shifting costs onto existing residents, farmers or businesses.

Innovation often follows necessity. As computing demand grows, engineers continue developing more efficient cooling systems, reducing energy use and improving water reuse. Public policy should encourage those advancements rather than assuming today’s technology is the final answer.

My views are informed by my experience in local government and research into Washington’s infrastructure challenges, including the EPA’s Quincy water reuse case study. It demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can significantly reduce potable water use while supporting economic development.

KEYWORDS: innovation, efficient, collaboration

My top environmental priority is protecting Washington’s water resources. Clean, reliable water is essential for our communities, agriculture, fish and wildlife, and future economic growth. I would support investments that improve water quality and help protect our rivers, lakes and groundwater.

I also believe Washington should continue working with the EPA to complete cleanup of Superfund and other contaminated sites that continue to impact water quality. Cleaning up pollution that already exists should remain a priority.

I also believe it’s important to regularly evaluate the Climate Commitment Act and the programs it funds. We should be able to clearly demonstrate that the investments are delivering meaningful environmental improvements and not simply adding costs for families and employers.

Environmental stewardship is about solving real problems. Protecting our water, cleaning up contaminated sites and making sure environmental investments are producing real benefits should be among the state’s highest priorities.

KEYWORDS: Water, Evaluate, Delivering

Science literacy is about more than memorizing facts. Students should understand how the scientific process works, how to evaluate evidence, think critically and distinguish credible information from opinion or misinformation. Those skills will serve them well regardless of the career they choose.

I support strong science standards that prepare students for college, the trades and technical careers while recognizing that science continues to evolve as new discoveries are made. Education should encourage curiosity, critical thinking and respectful discussion rather than teaching students what to think.

I also believe students benefit from hands on learning and partnerships with local industries, agriculture, healthcare and research organizations. Connecting classroom science to real world applications helps students understand its value and exposes them to career opportunities available here in Washington.

Our goal should be to graduate students who are scientifically literate, able to think independently and prepared to solve the challenges of the future.

KEYWORDS: Think, distinguish, skills, curiosity, value

Reducing wildfire risk begins with healthier forests. I support expanding managed commercial thinning where it supports forest health goals, because it allows the private sector to help remove excess fuels while reducing costs to taxpayers. Research shows that thinning is most effective when combined with slash treatment or prescribed fire, so management plans should use the right tools for each landscape. Washington should also ensure local fire districts have the resources they need and continue coordinating with federal, tribal and local land managers. The goal is healthier forests, safer communities and a more resilient landscape.

KEYWORDS: thinning, reducing, coordinating, healthier, safer.

The Climate Commitment Act affects far more than agriculture. It influences energy prices, transportation costs, manufacturing, and nearly every step in the supply chain. Those costs eventually reach farmers through fuel, fertilizer, equipment, processing and transportation, and they ultimately affect the price families pay at the grocery store.

I believe the Climate Commitment Act should be regularly reviewed to determine whether it is delivering environmental benefits that justify its economic impacts. Environmental policy should reduce emissions without unnecessarily weakening Washington’s competitiveness or increasing the cost of living.

I support investing in innovation, cleaner technologies and infrastructure that improve efficiency while protecting our environment. If we can reduce emissions through better technology and smarter investments, we can achieve lasting environmental progress without placing unnecessary burdens on the families, businesses and agricultural producers that drive our economy.

Protecting our environment and maintaining a strong economy should not be competing goals. Good policy should accomplish both.

KEYWORDS: reviewed, delivering, efficiency, economy