On the Issues
Neighborhoods
Bellevue is comprised of many different neighborhoods that are healthy and strong. Our neighborhoods, our schools and our job base are reasons people move to Bellevue and stay. Protecting the integrity of our neighborhoods in vital to the continued success of Bellevue. Jennifer will work to keep neighborhoods strong by:
Concentrating Growth in the Downtown and Bel-Red
Bellevue is required to plan for population growth by indentifying the locations where growth can occur. Jennifer will vote to keep growth and added density where it belongs: in the Downtown area and Bel-Red corridor. Such policies secure the integrity of the existing neighborhoods, especially single family neighborhoods, as the city grows.
Keeping Public Safety & Emergency Services Appropriately Funded to Protect our Citizens
Bellevue has excellent Fire and Police services. Jennifer will vote to keep this excellence in the face of growing demand for services. Public Safety is one of the most important obligations of local government. Jennifer believes that as our City grows, the Bellevue City Council must ensure that public safety resources also grow to maintain our high level of service. As the Downtown area further develops (and the Bel-Red corridor follows), it is imperative that we also increase our police and fire services to meet the increased demands. This will not only protect Downtown and Bel-Red, but will also protect the surrounding neighborhoods that are left vulnerable when police and fire resources that would otherwise be dedicated to those neighborhoods are busy servicing Downtown and Bel-Red.
Transportation
As Bellevue and the region have grown, our transportation needs have become more urgent. It is essential that we keep our people and goods moving. This means improving roads; increasing transit options; increasing pedestrian safety; continuing to add safe bicycle lanes; and ensuring that the placement and design of the new Eastlink light rail line works for both Bellevue and the region.
Roads
We must keep moving forward with road improvements to ease congestion and improve access in and around Bellevue. In addition, we need to enhance arterials to minimize cut-through traffic in single family neighborhoods for the safety of Bellevue residents.
Transit
As Bellevue grows and our job base expands, we must increase transit service in and around the Eastside to provide commuting options for our residents and workers. Having a variety of mobility options is even more important as our population ages. Jennifer believes that our aging residents must have the ability to get where they need to go, efficiently and effectively.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Lanes
Bellevue, with the help of its planning commission, recently updated its Pedestrian/Bicyclists Plan. Jennifer believes that funding these improvements as we move forward are an important part of improving mobility in our region.
Light Rail
Eastlink light rail is coming to Bellevue and will help shape the face of the City for the next century. Jennifer is adamant that this 100-year project that must be “built right the first time.” This means siting the Eastlink line sensitively for neighborhoods and making sure that the route chosen will be fast, safe, efficient, and accessible. Jennifer’s experience as the co-chair of the Bellevue Light Rail Best Practices Committee means that she has the knowledge and passion to make sure that Eastlink will work for both Bellevue and the region for the next century.
Jobs
Bellevue has evolved into a major employment center in the region. Currently Bellevue has more workers than residents. With a degree in economics, Jennifer knows that economic growth relies on smart planning policies and low taxes to bring in employers and new jobs. One of Jennifer’s top priorities is to strengthen Bellevue’s role as an economic leader and enhance Bellevue’s prosperity through the following policies:
Keeping taxes low
Our low tax rates are one reason that both people and businesses come to Bellevue and stay. Jennifer will keep the City’s budget “within our means” and keep taxes low. This will enable Bellevue to remain competitive and ready to prosper as the country regains economic strength.
Promoting smart economic growth
Jennifer will plan and provide incentives for growth which will allow companies to locate in Bellevue and to efficiently grow as the City grows. Jennifer will use her experience on the Planning Commission and as a municipal attorney to support City policies that work for businesses, which, in turn help workers and Bellevue residents prosper.
Keeping Bellevue a good place to do business
Jennifer’s policies of keeping taxes low, promoting smart economic growth and enhancing transportation will keep Bellevue a great place to do business. This in turn will bring in jobs and the tax revenue Bellevue needs to make Bellevue as wonderful for our children and grandchildren as it is today.