On a budget sheet, education, prisons and health care are all separate columns with their own numbers. But in the real world, in my community in Seattle and in communities across Washington, there are no numbers. There are just people.

I want to share a powerful story to illustrate that point. Franklyn came to Olympia to remind us that adult dental care can give a homeless man his smile back – and with it his confidence and his ability to contribute to his community.