Senator Mark Mullet Awarded 2023 WMFHA Legislator of the Year at WAO

At Washington Apartment Outlook (WAO) this morning, WMFHA’s 2023 President, Tali Reiner, presented Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) with our 2023 Legislator of the Year Award. 

This is the highest honor given to an active legislator from WMFHA in recognition and acknowledgement of their continued efforts in making sure the housing industry is at the forefront of policy making and keeping industry experts involved in the conversation.    

Senator Mullet is a pro-business legislator that has a strong, proven track record of supporting pro-housing legislation at every level.  Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Mark wrote the capital budget that included the largest investment ever in the state’s Housing Trust Fund, supported increased funding for critical transportation projects, worked to pass a $400 million property tax cut bill and sponsored permitting reform to help encourage more housing development across the state. He also played a vital role in creating and implementing the Landlord Mitigation Fund and the Tenant Preservation Fund.  As Chair of the Senate Capital budget, he continued to ensure these funds were available throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a recent Meet & Greet at the WMFHA office, Senator Mullet met with members of the WMFHA Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee to learn more about the specific issues troubling multi-family housing providers.  The top two concerns were (1) rent control and how its consequential effects would devastate an already stressed housing industry in Washington, and (2) how the quid pro quo eviction process, that undoubtedly favors residents, has led to a dangerous workplace environment for site level employees (adding to the worsening of WA’s overall public safety crisis).

Senator Mullet understands and is sympathetic towards our industry’s concerns.  His gubernatorial priorities include continuing to advocate for rational housing legislation that will lead to more development without additional burden on housing providers and the business community, refocusing public safety efforts to increase law and order, and investing in the expansion of vocational and workforce development programs that will help place our expanding labor force in successful, middle-class careers…all of which are hugely beneficial for our industry members and critical for our state.

WMFHA board President, Tali Reiner, commented “It is truly a pleasure to be able to present the Senator with our legislator of the year award. We don’t give this award every year, but after Senator Mullet’s tireless efforts in Olympia last legislative session, and his commitment to finding workable solutions to the housing crisis, we couldn’t think of a better way to show him our gratitude.” 

DONATE TO MARK MULLET'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN