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I'm running to serve you in the State House for two more years after my first term and eight years on the Salem City Council.
Despite being tumultuous at times, my first term in the State House was a productive one, and I was proud to take action to address the issues facing South Salem.
As a member of the Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee, I led the charge to ensure a green future for Oregon. This included the historic Climate Resilience Package in House Bills 3409 and 3630 which uses state and federal funds to reduce carbon emissions and ensure that Oregonians are able to weather the impacts of climate change through things such as more efficient buildings and the installation of heat pumps. I also led an effort to ban unsustainable single-use plastics, which was accomplished with Senate Bills 543 and 545.
I supported decisive legislation on housing. This includes bipartisan House Bills 2001 and 5019, which will allow Oregon to build more housing and increase shelter to get people off the streets and Senate Bill 611 which caps rent increases in order to keep housing affordable. I will continue to work to build more sustainable housing in Oregon.
As our nation experiences continued attacks on access to reproductive healthcare, I was proud to support House Bill 2002, which ensures that Oregon remains a leader in access to all kinds of reproductive healthcare, including contraception and abortion.
I supported House Bill 2005, which makes it easier to track guns in Oregon, helping to protect Oregonians from senseless gun violence.
I previously served two effective and productive terms as a Salem City Councilor. I got things done for the City on the Council. Now I am continuing to get things done for the State in the Legislature.
Much of Salem city governance has a counterpart at the broader state level. I am taking what I have learned, and done, and applying it to benefit all Oregonians and specifically those in District 19. There are a multitude of issues facing our District and our State. On the Home page of this website you'll see examples of the many issues I successfully dealt with as a Salem City Councilor for eight years. I am continuing to address these issues as your legislator, as well as other issues of importance to our state.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to further discussions on how, working together, we can make Oregon the best it can be for all of its residents.
I’m asking for your vote for State House so that we can build on real progress on the issues that matter - protecting reproductive freedom, finding sustainable solutions to the homelessness crisis, and investing in our public schools.
TOP 5 PRIORITIES
Civic and climate education for all our students
Defending our democracy and ending the Climate Emergency demands better education of our students on these vital subjects. Students at every grade level need to receive adequate education on how to be compassionate and involved citizens as they will be the next environmental stewards of our planet. As your State Representative I am working to improve civics and climate education in our schools.
Climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with creative incentives
I led the development of a Climate Action for Salem that was recently approved by the City Council. My motion set the goal for Salem to cut our emissions in half by 2035 and become a "Net Zero" city by 2050. Salem won't achieve this alone. That’s why, as your State Representative, I passed legislation to reduce Oregon’s carbon footprint, protect our communities from pollution, reduce our reliance on plastic, and protect Oregonians from the impacts of climate change. I will continue to work to make sure that Oregon is able to meet these goals and address the new issues brought on by the climate crisis.
More state funding to provide shelter and services to our homeless population
The #1 concern of Salem residents is addressing the needs of our homeless neighbors. Through my work and the effort of my former colleagues on the City Council, we have made slow but steady and reliable progress in creating micro-shelter communities, a Navigation Center, and other shelters and supports. We have recently received more help from the State, which is greatly appreciated. I voted to help expand this help, including by providing state funding to build more housing and increase the number of beds available in shelters. The scale of the problem is still such that it will take a determined effort from the City, the State, and the County. As your State Representative, one of my highest priorities is continuing to secure more aid from the state government to end the homelessness crisis in Salem.
Protecting a woman's right to choose
I believe every Oregonian should be able to make their own healthcare decisions. That's why I voted for HB 2002 which will protect reproductive healthcare and ensure that Oregon remains a leader in abortion rights even as The U.S. Supreme Court has taken away women's reproductive rights at the Federal level, an ominous decision. I pledge as your State Representative to continue to make Oregon a leader in access to affordable reproductive healthcare. It is essential that this encompasses the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare for all women including birth control and abortion. I believe the decision to have a child is private, personal and voluntary. Oregon must continue to be a safe place where women have control over their bodies and children are supported and cared for.
Lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs
Oregonians are paying far too much for their healthcare and prescription drugs. It is possible to provide more effective healthcare at a lower cost. As your State Representative, I support legislation that provides increasingly affordable health care and prescription drugs to all Oregonians.
Other Important Priorities
More state support for education to increase graduation rates
In the past five years, the high school graduation rate in our Salem-Keizer schools has increased from 73% to 81%. Although this is an important triumph, the truth is that still about one in five students is not graduating. Research shows high quality early childhood education is the key to increasing high school graduation rates. As your State Representative, I am collaborating with the State to expand investment in early childhood education and to do everything we can so our children complete their education and have bright futures. I am also prioritizing investing in career and technical education and helping kids and teachers rebound from lost classroom time.
Funding from the state in lieu of taxes to support emergency services in Salem
My colleague on the City Council, Chris Hoy, has already gotten the ball rolling on a bill to provide Salem with state funds in lieu of the taxes that the State is exempt from paying to the City. Salem spends thousands of dollars every year providing emergency services to the State government that we are never compensated for. That's not right. As your State Representative, I am continuing my work in obtaining these resources from the State so Salem residents don't have to foot the bill.
Improved facilities and infrastructure for biking, walking and transit
As an avid bike rider all my life, I know the value of active transportation, not only for our own health, but for the health of the planet. Cars and trucks create 53% of carbon pollution in Salem. The only way to get people out of single-occupancy vehicles is to build better pedestrian friendly infrastructure for biking and walking and to increase investment in cost efficient, safe and sustainable transit. I support the Salem Bike Vision plan to create a connected network of protected bike lanes for all ages. As a former member of the Lane Transit District Board in Eugene, I have seen the progress that city has made with Bus Rapid Transit and other innovations. I led an effort in my first session to bring a trolley in Salem to serve West Salem and the central city. While it was unsuccessful, I am continuing to work tirelessly to secure State resources to invest in transit and active transportation in our city.
Stronger practical gun safety laws
In the wake of the recent massacres in Buffalo and Uvalde, it is more apparent than ever that Oregon must have stronger gun laws to prevent further tragedies from happening in our state. As your State Representative, I voted for HB 2005, which will improve gun tracking in our state. I firmly support legislation that requires a permit to purchase a firearm and closes all loopholes for background checks. I believe each gun buyer should pass a classroom and hands-on firearms safety course. It is crucial to our community's well-being that we stop the sale, transfer, trade or manufacture of high-capacity magazines for civilian use.
More state support for affordable housing
As a member of the Salem Housing Authority for seven years, I successfully worked to increase the amount of affordable housing in Salem. We have added many new units and have more on the way with several projects, such as the new Yaquina Hall. However, I know there is much more to be done. As your State Representative, I helped secure funding for more affordable housing and helped the state cap rent increases to protect those facing the worst of the housing crisis.
Protect the rights of LGBTQ Oregonians
The rights of LGBTQ Oregonians are under attack by right-wing politicians and some members of the Supreme Court. As your State Representative, I voted for HB 2002 which will protect access to life-saving gender affirming care. I am working to protect and expand the rights of LGBTQ Oregonians. This includes increased affordable access to needed healthcare services, ensuring that LGBTQ students do not face bullying and discrimination in our schools, and strengthening protections against discrimination against LGBTQ Oregonians in the workplace.