Portlanders desperately need well paying jobs that keep up with the inflationary costs of living. Companies with market caps in the millions like Schnitzer Steel Industries, Portland General Electric, and Columbia Northwest Natural Gas are a few of these companies based right in Portland. Sadly they do not pay living wages. Neither are companies like U.S. Bank the fifth-largest commercial bank in the nation with more than 10,000 employees, Intel Corporation, Precision Castparts Corp., Wells Fargo, and Adidas, all each with more than 10,000 employees pay their employees living wages. While the wages they do pay are higher than the minimum wage, they can afford to pay living wages of $35 an hour to their Portland employees. I will introduce ordinances compelling these very profitable companies to share their profits through living wages, zero cost benefits like comprehensive healthcare, generous paid time off accruals and 401K matching programs along with retirement packages, and stock buy in options just to name a few.

My better jobs agenda only starts there. PBOT and other Portland government agencies/departments are extremely short staffed leaving so many aspects of government diligence and responsibility lacking if not entirely ignored. Why not take Multnomah County Corrections prisoners and fill these staffing shortages to complete these delayed projects like road repair, graffiti removal, street cleanups, parks upkeep and maintenance are just a few of many examples. They will be taught life changing employment skills preparing them for post jail life. If we are to end the revolving door, we must give this population a chance to get on their feet to be able to support themselves.

The same applies to those with substance use disorders camping out on our streets injecting themselves out in the open. Jails and prisons are not for them as they are not criminals. Many of them are suffering from dramatic traumas and abuse using drugs as coping mechanisms to dull/numb their senses and realities. In order to help them, mandatory rehabilitation (also known as involuntary hospitalization) must be used. No addict will on his/her own seek treatment. He/she needs to be compelled even against his/her own will. I realize miniature rehabilitation is a better pill, but doing nothing is not a solution. It’s beyond inhumane allowing them to continue to suffer.

The addiction/substance use disorder crisis is a city wide emergency and must be declared as such (not just for a gimmicky 100 days). We must expand distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education along with awareness about and access to and availability of treatment for substance use disorders. Early intervention with individuals at highest risk for overdose is beyond critical. Increasing the penalties for dealing fentanyl or mixing it with other drugs must be an integral part of my comprehensive war on fentanyl. Zero cost availability of test strips are crucial to detecting drugs laced with fentanyl. While some argue safe needle exchange/safe zones to use drugs are akin to endorsing/enabling, I believe these safety nets are necessary medical evils to be able to monitor and intervene in the chance of an overdose on the road to recovery ultimately.

Once they are weaned off of these toxic/lethal drugs, then can begin the process of rehabilitation. Job trainings only go so far. We need to place these recovering individuals in jobs with PBOT and the likes so they can learn to sustain themselves and give their lives meaning. I believe everybody deserves a second chance.

Similarly, I want to give individuals with physical and mental challenges opportunities to work while keeping their benefits with the federal government. What this translates to is that these individuals can only work 10-15 hours max a month. The city has too many vacant administrative positions (many of these are phone positions that leave users on hold forever due to inadequate staffing) that these individuals could fill if only given a chance. I am aware that there is no such program in the country that accommodates individuals with these hour specific needs. There is no reason why Portland can’t lead the way in empowering individuals differently (en)abled.

More information coming soon.

  We can’t continue the unsustainable environmentally polluting gas-chugging, fumes-emitting vehicular madness. Let’s make Portland bike-able once more by reinstating the street cleaners and expanding safety distance to 6 feet for bikes all while protecting and defending the sanctity of the bike lane! The days of delivery/passenger service cars/trucks holding bike lanes hostage only ever intended for bikes are over. To increase city funding, any/all nonemergency/nonessential vehicles parked in a bike lane will receive a $600 fee on top a 10% fee based on the vehicles value brand new penalty with the penalties doubling per incident. To encourage walking and lessen the reliance on cars often with only one occupant, let’s improve accessibility of commuters on foot/bike by making TriMet fare free with more routes running 24/7.

  As a disabled or senior homeowner, one can borrow from the State of Oregon to pay his/her property taxes to the county. If one qualifies for the program, Oregon Department of Revenue will pay his/her county property taxes on November 15 of each year. To participate, a homeowner must file an application with the county assessor either by April 15, or file late from April 16 to December 1 and pay a fee. I want to introduce a similar measure for non senior/disabled homeowners who are low income to bring much needed/sought after property tax relief to these homeowners investing in their future financial security/wellbeing.

  Home prices in Oregon are undeniably sky high which presents a real challenge for first-time home buyers in Portland. I want to help many Portlanders go from being landlord serfs subsidizing landlords’ incomes to returning their hard earned money back into their own pockets. More Portlanders can be homeowners instead of paying outrageous price-gouging rents. In conjunction with the newly created Small Business Office, I will add to that office’s infrastructure the ability to coordinate with first time homebuyers with the home loan options, homebuyer programs, and first time buyer grants available in Oregon. The Small Business Office will help first time homebuyers navigate the nightmare that is the home buying labyrinth and maze of government bureaucracy and banking regulations and mind numbing policies and protocols. I also will explore tax incentives to help lower the costs of buying and owning a home in addition to the already available programs and resources/services.