Top Priorities
Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird (@bird4governor) says he’s moving away from failed “housing first” and “harm reduction” policies if he wins in WA. Recently, I walked with him through encampments in Seattle and watched as he collaborated with several faith based outreach groups in the city. Bird is an evangelical Christian.
I also got a preview of some of his top priorities which includes mobilizing the National Guard to build drug addiction and mental health treatment facilities outside busy urban cores. Bird has skin in the game after losing his nephew to a drug overdose and says he will intervene and require treatment for addicts living on the streets. As for his competition, Bird is already taking shots at Attorney General Bob Ferguson (@BobFergusonAG) who’s currently the Democratic front-runner in the Governor’s race.
Ferguson’s Camp
The AG has yet to release a comprehensive plan to address homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness. His team says there are no immediate plans to tour any encampments in the state.
