Dent discusses fires, gangs and non-partisan teamwork

MATTAWA – Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is running unopposed for reelection, and despite a lack of opposition opted to participate in a Sept. 12 candidate forum organized by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce, the Wahluke School District and the Columbia Basin Herald.  

“It's always good to see folks that you represent,” Dent said. “One of the things that was really passionate for me when I first ran, and still is, is that I want to be accessible to people. That's why I'm here. To be accessible.” 

Dent, who first took office in January 2015, serves on several legislative committees, including Transportation and Youth and Early Learning. He is the ranking member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and chairs the Aviation Caucus. Additionally, he co-chairs the Wildfire Caucus. 

“We try to come together, to work together, to not have to reinvent the wheel,” Dent said. “I will say that it's an honor serving you in the state legislature. I pride myself on representing everybody, regardless of your party affiliation.” 

Accomplishments  

Dent said he’s been able to make progress on certain causes during his most recent term. 

“I'm very, very passionate about our children, our foster kids, and our health care system, early learning kids,” Dent said. “My wife and I were foster parents at one time, and I am just really passionate about changing that. I was on the bill, and I was a lead negotiator for our caucus to develop the Department of Children, Youth and Families, which we tried to make a better agency to look over at children's issues and things.” 

While pleased with some progress, Dent acknowledged that more work is needed. He voiced concerns about wildfires. 

“I have a real issue with wildfire, and I think it's something inherently wrong with burning up our natural resources, and I think we need to look at that,” Dent said. 

Dent started the wildfire caucus with Representative Dan Griffey in 2016 and the two co-chair it now. He said that, when he took office, Washington only had four or five helicopters for wildfire suppression. This year, Washington had 43 aircraft.  

“That's why we've been able to knock these fires down and not have the catastrophic wildfires we've seen in the past,” he said. “And I'm really proud of that.” 

Additionally, Dent is focused on addressing rural mental health and suicide prevention, especially within the agricultural community, which has one of the highest suicide rates.

According to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population of the U.S. 

“We all live in an agricultural, rural community that is subject to (high suicide rates,) and we're looking at this. We had a planning meeting today,” Dent said. “We have meetings every other week looking at how we can reduce those numbers and help folks find mental health and not feel like they have to resort to suicide because they can't understand how to get out of that.” 

School funding 

The second question Dent answered regarded what he could do at the state legislature to help school districts have more consistent funding sources, especially with increased operational costs from insurance, substitute teacher pay and operational cost increases.

“Your way out of my wheelhouse here,” Dent said. “I don't work on education issues other than early learning and I am passionate about that.” 

He said regardless, the representatives need to come together to find some solutions and answers despite party affiliations.   

“We can work together and find what works,” Dent said. “But the next step is, we need to come and listen to the people, and you need to tell us what you think would work, because you're most likely going to pay the bill, right?” 

Dent continued saying constituents need to show up and testify for both bills they agree will and bills they don’t. He said he needs the input to accurately represent his constituents.  

“Build a relationship with your Legislators so they know who you are, and they can remember your name,” Dent said. “Because we meet 1000s of people, you're going to have to meet me three times before I remember your name. But guess what? Then we start getting somewhere. But see, you have responsibility, too, and we all have to work together.” 

Gang violence 

Dent also addressed gang violence which has emerged as a pressing concern in his district. The issue is underscored by incidents such as shootings at the Grant County Fairgrounds and the park in Desert Aire in the last few weeks.  

Dent said proactive measures must be taken to combat gang violence and support law enforcement agencies. 

“In the past two or three years, we've taken away a lot of power from our law enforcement agencies,” Dent said.  

He noted that during the last legislative session, some of that power was restored, but he stressed the need for further action.  

“We need to give them the power back that they need in order to enforce the positive there,” he said. 

Dent said a fundamental shift in societal discipline is necessary to address the root causes of gang involvement. He pointed out that discipline has diminished in both schools and families, suggesting that reintegrating it is crucial for fostering self-discipline in youth.

“How can we expect our kids to grow up and exhibit self-discipline if we haven't given them discipline growing up,” he said. 

Highlighting the alarming rise in youth violence, Dent referenced a recent incident in Yakima involving a 14-year-old who committed a drive-by shooting. He criticized the lack of appropriate intervention options for young suspects, particularly citing the Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie, which is not accepting new teen offenders.  

“We can't do that; driving by and shooting somebody isn’t a slap your hands and send you home kind of a deal,” Dent said. “That's a serious thing, and we need to take it a serious thing, and we need to deal with that.” 

Dent said changes in legislation are required to ensure young offenders do not receive undue leniency.  

“I really think that we need to put teeth back in our laws. We have to expect our kids to act reasonably and not continually give them passes,” he said. 

Acknowledging that cognitive development continues until around age 25, Dent highlighted the importance of guidance for young people. He recounted his experiences as a foster parent, noting how discipline and direction changed the behavior of troubled youth. 

“I’m not talking about beating some kid. I'm just talking about giving them some direction, discipline, letting them understand society expects more than them to act like this; we just can't tolerate that,” he said.  

Want to watch? 

The full forum may be watched at https://bit.ly/2024GCFORUM.