Major weather events like the flooding in recent years in Whatcom County are happening with more and more frequency. We need to work together to find short-term fixes and long-term solutions to protect fish, farms, and our communities from flood events. We also need to ensure that state and local governments are prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes, and that we have the resources we need to respond without relying on the federal government.

Joe has made emergency preparedness and disaster recovery a priority in the Legislature, including championing House Bill 1452 during the 2023 session (establishing a Washington State Medical Reserve Corps) and House Bill 2020 during the 2024 session (creating a state public infrastructure assistance program). Emergency preparedness and response should be a bipartisan issue, and Joe worked to ensure that both of these bills passed unanimously.

In the last Legislative session, Joe helped secure funding for flood mitigation projects in Whatcom County and fought to move funding for the elevation of Slater Road forward, a key transportation infrastructure project that supports Lummi Nation and surrounding communities during flooding events. He will continue to fight for resources for Whatcom County in support of resilient communities in the Nooksack watershed.