Housing and Transportation

Across the United States, and especially here in Oregon, we have been underproducing housing since the Great Recession, and that has had many negative impacts across the state. Increasing our housing supply is a critical issue that not only helps address our unhoused crisis but will also help drive down the cost of housing for everyone. Cities across the state need help building the infrastructure that supports these housing projects.

Transportation costs are the second highest monthly costs for families and creating real choice in transportation options is a passion of mine. Investments in public transit and active transportation options like bike and pedestrian networks, will help support families.

Mental and Behavioral Health

It is absolutely critical that we continue to tackle the mental and behavioral health crisis across the state. Every county in the State of Oregon is a mental healthcare desert, with many residents outside the Metro area not able to find healthcare providers. We cannot have families and individuals who are in crisis not being able to access care. We must find ways to address the acute need now and then plan for our future where everyone can gain access to the care they need, when they need it. This is especially true for our young people; the state needs to find a way to support families who need this critical service.

Public Schools and Local Governments

Since the early 1990s and the passage of Measures 5 and 50, every city in Oregon has been struggling to find a source of sustainable revenue that would maintain current levels of service. Over the years, cities have lost many critical services our residents depended on. If we continue to do nothing, cities across the state will no longer be able to provide critical lifesaving services to its residents and services such as parks and libraries will go by the wayside. 

School districts are also hurting from Measures 5 and 50 as we’ve seen recently in Portland Public Schools and now here in Salem-Keizer, we’ve reached a breaking point. Teachers need better pay and more support. It’s critical that our children’s emotional and behavioral needs be met and that is playing out in our classrooms; schools need support from the state in order to meet the need.