News & Updates

This is the sixth installment in our “Huskies on the Hill” series featuring UW Alumni serving in state government.

Today’s Q&A features State Senator Paull Shin M.A. ’72, Ph.D. ’80, who represents the 21st Legislative District. After 31 years of teaching at the college level, he retired, only to embrace public service.

Sen. Shin was elected to the Washington State Senate in 1999. Prior to that, he served in the House of Representatives from 1993-1994. He is Vice President Pro Tempore which presides over floor action in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor and President Pro Tempore.

1. What motivated you to run for office?

Having received so many blessings in this country, I decided to give back through public service. I was born in Korea and adopted by an American GI during the Korean War. After coming to the U.S., with the support of my adoptive family, I was able to learn English, receive a GED, and eventually earn a PhD from the University of Washington. I worked for 31 years as a college professor before my election to the Washington State Legislature. I have served for 19 years now. I’m still motivated by the people of Washington State and the many blessings I have received in the U.S.

2. What are your legislative priorities this session?

As a former chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and longtime college professor, education has always been one of my main priorities. This session I have been focused on improving access to higher education for students with disabilities. My colleagues and I have passed a bill that will improve communication, establish best practices and help coordinate the transition process.

3. What has been the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment for you so far this session?

The biggest surprise and disappointment, for me, was the inability of the Senate to pass the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would make state need grants available for qualified students who are Washington residents but do not have citizenship status. As an immigrant myself, one of the greatest equalizers has been access to education. Without going to college I would not have been able to accomplish what I have today. I want to make sure the hardworking students of Washington have a chance to succeed and pursue their potential.

4. What do you think the long-term outlook is for Higher Education in our state?

While I am concerned about the direction higher education has been heading for the past few years I think there is a recognition among my fellow legislators that continued underfunding and tuition increases will price students out of the classroom and undermine the quality of higher education in Washington State. I believe that, with proper funding and attention, we can ensure the highest quality education at an affordable price.

5. How do you spend your time when the legislature is not in session?

When I’m not meeting with constituents in the district or traveling to other countries to promote positive relations with Washington State, I spend a lot of time with my wife and family. I have two children and five grandchildren who are the joy of my life. This summer I look forward to celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary with my wonderful wife, Donna.

This is the fifth installment in our “Huskies on the Hill” series featuring UW Alumni serving in state government.

Today’s Q&A features State Representative Jessyn Farrell, B.A., History, ’96, who represents the 46th Legislative District.

Elected in 2012, Rep. Farrell previously worked as the Executive Director of Transportation Choices Coalition, an organization dedicated to expanding bus, rail, bicycle and pedestrian transportation options. As a mother of two young children, she is passionate about Washington’s education system.

Rep. Farrell serves on the Environment Committee, Early Learning and Human Services Committee, and Transportation Committee.

1. What motivated you to run for office?

I believe more moms need to be involved in the political process. We make major policy decisions on a daily basis that affect children and families. It’s important to have the perspective of those who are on the front lines of trying to make a living, taking care of kids, and giving them the very best. I ran for the state legislature to provide that voice and that perspective.

2. What are your legislative priorities this session?

In addition to meeting the Supreme Court mandate to fully funding K-12 education and keeping public university education more accessible, my own bills include efforts to: reform and improve the Working Connections Child Care Program that helps low-income families work or find work by subsidizing child care; provide local funding options to save King County Metro service; and make it easier to construct affordable housing and promote transit-oriented development.

3. What has been the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment for you so far this session?

The most significant surprise so far this session has been how cool it is to vote on all sorts of issues! There are policy areas that I’m very passionate about, and working to pass legislation on those issues has been very rewarding. It has also been fascinating to learn about all the other things that our legislature works on.

The biggest disappointment was the defeat of commonsense legislation to close gun background check loopholes. We have a lot of work to do in the coming months to move this legislation forward.

4. What do you think the long-term outlook is for Higher Education in our state?

Reinvesting in our higher education institutions is one of my top priorities as a legislator. When I attended the University of Washington, the state contribution to higher education was 70 percent, with families paying the remaining 30 percent. In the past few years those numbers have been flipped on their head, with the burden now falling heavily on students and parents. We need to reverse that trend.

I believe there is bipartisan consensus around the need to restore higher education funding and reinvigorate our universities. Agreeing on where that money will come from – particularly in the shadow of McCleary – will be challenging, and it may not happen this year. But I believe over the next few years we will see a renewed commitment in Olympia to funding higher education.

5. How do you spend your time when the legislature is not in session?

I spend my time with my two kids and husband, swimming in Lake Washington, hiking in the mountains and enjoying city parks – can you tell I’m looking forward to summer? I will also return to my regular work as an attorney and mediator.

This is the fourth installment in our “Huskies on the Hill” series featuring UW Alumni serving in state government.

Today’s Q&A features State Representative Steve O’Ban, B.A., History, ’84, who represents the 28th Legislative District.

Rep. O’Ban and his wife, Laurie, a Tacoma Community College instructor, have two sons serving in the United States Army. After graduating from the University of Washington, he attended Seattle University School of Law.

1. What motivated you to run for office?

I believed that my 25 years as an attorney, and other leadership opportunities, could be of help to the legislative process. I have found that to be true and am very grateful for the opportunity to use this background and my professional skills to help make our state better.

2. What are your legislative priorities this session?

Increase job growth in the private sector, help veterans transitioning from military service to the private sector find living wage jobs, and bring transparency and accountability to state government so it spends taxpayers’ money more effectively.

3. What has been the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment for you so far this session?

My biggest, pleasant surprise is the higher degree of bi-partisanship than I expected and biggest disappointment is the number of good bills that die because of the lack of time or other, less worthy bills eat up precious legislative time.

4. What do you think the long-term outlook is for Higher Education in our state?

I believe policymakers of all parties are in agreement that higher education is too expensive and pricing the middle class and disadvantaged out of the opportunity to take part in the American dream. I hope that in this legislative session we spend the money and make the reforms to increase access to higher education.

5. How do you spend your time when the legislature is not in session?

I am an attorney in private practice in the firm Ellis, Li & McKinstry PLLC in Seattle and I volunteer at a legal clinic and serve on the boards and volunteer with the Rescue Mission and a nonprofit serving the Yakama Indian Reservation.