Issues
Seven priorities for Whatcom County — the whole platform on one page, in Erika's own words.
Whatcom County Is Being Priced Out
Families are struggling to keep up
Washington is now the 5th most expensive state in the nation, and Bellingham has been ranked as the most expensive small city in America. While families are living paycheck to paycheck, rising taxes, regulations, and the increasing cost of everyday necessities continue to put pressure on household budgets.
The reality facing local families
- Rising housing costs
- Increasing grocery prices
- Higher property taxes
- Increased taxes on goods and services
- Gas prices exceeding $6 per gallon
Whatcom County residents simply cannot afford more financial burdens.
Protecting Mental Health
Washington's mental health accessibility is in crisis
Washington has a large economy around healthcare, yet very few are able to actually access a provider. Why? Provider networks are not adequate, bureaucracy at the state level has increased cost, and we need a system that is accessible for providers to use so that people seeking counseling can get support when they need it.
The true cost of inaccessible care is measured in lives. And once a life is gone, it cannot be returned.
Why this should alarm everyone
When someone is facing suicidal thoughts or struggling with addiction, accessibility isn't a convenience — it's a lifeline. Providers must be available, responsive, and willing to meet people where they are, because help delayed can become help denied.
Erika has spent more than two decades in youth mental health, founded the Youth Crisis Walk-In Center in Everson, and serves on the Whatcom County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
Investing in Our Schools
A threat to the future of our youth
Public education remains one of the most powerful equalizers we have, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed.
Erika Creydt has devoted her career to helping youth access essential behavioral health services, and devoted her time to ensuring the local public school system is operating well for our youth. There can only be so much done at the local level — this advocacy work needs to continue in Olympia at the larger systemic level.
The impact
- Enrichment levies were intended to fund programs beyond basic education, but many Washington districts now rely on levy dollars for core operations because state funding does not fully cover actual costs.
- Washington law explicitly states that Local Effort Assistance — state matching funds for enrichment levies — is “not basic education,” highlighting the gap between state funding and actual district costs.
- In many districts, levy funding supports counselors, nurses, special education costs, safety, technology, transportation, extracurricular activities, and additional classroom staff that the state formula does not fully fund.
Protecting Our Agricultural Heritage
Washington's farming industry is in crisis
Washington was once known for its thriving agricultural economy. With fertile soil and a favorable climate, farming should remain one of our greatest strengths. Instead, farms across the state are struggling.
Years of increasing regulations and taxes have pushed many family farms to the brink.
Why this should alarm everyone
As farms close, local food production declines, making our communities more dependent on outside sources for food and increasing long-term costs for consumers. Importing food from other places creates more greenhouse gas emissions, and we don't have any control over how it was grown or whether it is safe to eat. We need food security locally to ensure our communities have what they need.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
More homes, greater affordability
Whatcom County is facing a serious housing shortage.
Millennials and Gen Z can't afford homeownership in Whatcom County. They're living with family longer or being forced to leave the area. When housing and living costs are high, it's harder for our community to attract living-wage employers.
Supporting local employers
Businesses across Whatcom County are working hard to provide competitive wages, but they are also facing increased costs from taxes, regulations, and government mandates.
To improve affordability, we need policies that support economic growth, job creation, and responsible housing development.
The Water Adjudication
A threat to farmers and property owners
The State of Washington is pursuing a water adjudication process involving approximately 30,000 Whatcom County landowners, requiring them to prove their water rights through a lengthy legal process.
The impact
- Farmers face uncertainty about access to water. No water, no farms.
- Property owners will be forced to hire legal representation.
- Significant financial burdens will fall on families and businesses.
- The process could take decades to resolve.
How long could it last?
Current estimates suggest 10–20 years, but history tells a different story. The Yakima adjudication involved approximately 4,000 claims and lasted more than 40 years. With 30,000 claims in Whatcom County, the process could take even longer.
Water is life. Without reliable access, farming becomes impossible, our salmon population risks extinction — harming Tribes, the environment, and our fishing industry — businesses can't operate, and homeowners lose value.
Keeping Washington Competitive
Say no to a state income tax
For decades, Washington's lack of a state income tax has helped make our state an attractive place to live, work, and build businesses. Companies like Microsoft, Boeing, Nordstrom, Starbucks, and countless others chose Washington because it offered opportunity, innovation, and a competitive business environment. Today, that advantage is under threat.
Olympia's budget problem is not a taxpayer problem
Washington faces a projected budget shortfall of $7–10 billion, and there are lawmakers who want to pave the way for a state income tax. Supporters argue it would only apply to individuals earning more than $1 million per year. But once an income tax is established, expanding it to additional brackets becomes far easier.
The middle class cannot afford more taxes
Families who earn enough to purchase a median-priced home are already carrying significant financial obligations. Adding a state income tax on top of federal income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, excise taxes, Paid Family Leave taxes, and WA Cares taxes would place even more pressure on working families and homeowners. For many households, higher taxes could be the difference between financial stability and becoming cost-burdened by housing expenses.
Hold Olympia accountable
Washington doesn't have a revenue problem — it has a spending problem. Before asking taxpayers for more money, Olympia must demonstrate that existing programs are producing measurable results. If government programs are not delivering a return on investment for taxpayers, they should be reviewed, reformed, or eliminated. The era of federal COVID-19 relief funding is over, and our state government must adjust its spending priorities accordingly.
Invest in what matters
- Strengthening the middle class
- Investing in public education
- Expanding actual access to healthcare and mental health services
- Repairing roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure
- Supporting public safety
- Creating an environment where businesses can grow and create jobs
Support small businesses, don't punish them
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and too often business owners are treated as an afterthought when new taxes and regulations are proposed. Before Olympia imposes new taxes — like the sales tax on services enacted last October — we need to bring small business owners to the table and understand how these decisions affect their ability to operate, hire employees, and serve our communities.
When government continues to increase costs, businesses and entrepreneurs begin looking elsewhere. A state income tax risks making Washington less competitive and less attractive to the innovators, employers, and job creators who drive our economy. We should be making it easier to live, work, and build a business in Washington — not harder.
I'll fight to protect taxpayers, support small businesses, and ensure Olympia lives within its means.
Something here matter to you?
Erika's job during this campaign is to listen. Tell her what you're seeing in your neighborhood, your business, or your kids' school.