Oregon Live Questionnaire

While I have been sitting over data looking at how to best work on the cities problems here is the Oregonian questionnaire and thought it was a nice overview of how I work. For the sake of this response my words are in italics

What previous accomplishments show that you are the best pick in your district? Please be specific. (150 words)

My record is built on doing work and producing results. As a member of TriMet’s Committee for Accessible Transportation, I helped investigate recommendations to ensure service cuts affected the fewest riders possible, particularly people who depend on accessible transit.

As Co-Chair of Multnomah County’s Central C.B.A.C., I helped research the needs of the county’s new system so my successor would have a stronger foundation to continue the work.

At PSU’s Tuition Review Advisory Board, I analyzed proposed tuition increases and advocated for an 8% increase that would help preserve student services and jobs. The recommendation passed committee in a close vote.

Across more than 40 committees and subcommittees, I have been trusted to chair committees, work on budgets and policy, navigate disagreement, and turn research into recommendations. I am bringing that record of civic work to District 4.

Affordability is a growing concern for many Portlanders. What is one thing you would do as a city councilor to address it? (150 words)

The first thing I would do is get Portland’s own spending in order. We need to understand where our money has gone, what we received for it, and whether our spending is producing results. With roads, utilities, and basic services still needing attention, we cannot keep spending on lower-priority projects while asking Portlanders to pay more.

I have tried to apply that principle to my own campaign. I have been transparent about my campaign finances and have worked to keep my own expenses as low as possible because I do not believe government or campaigns should be adding unnecessary costs when families are struggling to afford food and rent.

I would also support freezing City Council salaries until we have made meaningful progress getting the city’s finances and basic services in order. Until then, I would oppose new taxes, fees, and fines that further increase the cost of living.

With significant financial shortfalls likely again this year, what would be your top focus to stabilize the city’s budget? (150 words)

My approach has consistently been: investigate, collect the data, understand the mistakes, prioritize, and execute. Before making another round of cuts or asking Portlanders for more money, we need a clear picture of where our money has gone, what we received for it, and where spending has failed to produce results.

Then we prioritize. Basic services, roads, utilities, public safety, and the functions Portlanders depend on should come before lower-priority projects or new initiatives. Finally, we need to identify what spending can be limited, eliminated, or restructured so we can stabilize the budget without simply shifting the burden onto residents.

I am concerned that too much discussion focuses on assuring people that everything will be alright rather than confronting the financial problems in front of us. We need data, accountability, priorities, and execution, not more promises.

What specific services or programs does the city of Portland need to prioritize in order to make meaningful progress on the homelessness crisis? Please explain. (150 words)

Portland needs to treat homelessness, business vacancies, and the police response as connected problems rather than separate issues. They can reinforce one another: when businesses leave because they do not feel safe, jobs and economic activity decline, while police and emergency services face more calls involving people in crisis.

My approach would be to investigate, collect the data, understand the mistakes, prioritize, and execute. We need to identify where our homelessness spending is producing results, where it is not, and which interventions actually move people toward stability. At the same time, we need to address vacant properties, support a functioning business community, and ensure police and behavioral-health responders can respond appropriately to emergencies.

You cannot sustainably solve one part while allowing the others to deteriorate, Portland needs a coordinated three-pronged approach. The goal should be meaningful progress within years, not accepting that these problems will take another decade.

What are one or two things you would prioritize to improve public safety in Portland? (150 words)

We cannot allow our public safety system to remain stretched too thin, but training new personnel and putting additional resources in place takes time. In the meantime, I would look at proven community-based approaches that can provide additional support.

I would examine the Pearl Patrol model and identify neighborhoods that are interested in adapting a similar approach, while supporting the return of more neighborhood-watch-style groups where appropriate. These would not replace police, but could provide additional eyes and community involvement while the city builds longer-term capacity.

I would also expand the role of Portland Street Response where its work is appropriate. I was initially skeptical of the program, but after researching how it operates and speaking with its staff in depth, I became more supportive of its role in Portland.

My approach is the same: investigate, collect the data, understand the mistakes, prioritize, and execute.

A recent survey commissioned by Oregon Values & Beliefs Center found that fewer than a third of Portland voters said they feel represented by anyone on the 12-member City Council and only slightly more said they trusted the body. What would you do to improve these perceptions? (150 words)

Doing a good job would do wonders for public trust, and Portlanders should be able to see that work reflected in their city. I understand the frustration personally. My own family has left Portland because of how expensive the city has become relative to what people feel they are getting in return.

I think the answer is accountability through results. Councilors should be able to point to what they accomplished, what they tried, what worked, and what did not. I have tried to be honest about my own record, including the things I would approach differently after learning more.

Over the past two years, I have built a résumé through committee leadership, budget work, accessibility advocacy, student leadership, and public service. I would put that record up against any candidate, incumbent or otherwise, and let Portlanders decide who has demonstrated the work ethic, accountability, and commitment necessary to represent them.

How would you characterize the current City Council? What, if anything, would you do to shape its culture and effectiveness? Please be specific. (150 words)

I would characterize our current City Council, and the political movements surrounding it, as somewhere between a telenovela and the cattiest dozen episodes of The Office. Portlanders need their government to be more focused on getting the job done.

I would try to change that culture by making the work itself the center of Council. Come prepared, know the numbers, debate the substance, and then execute once a decision is made. Disagreement is not inherently bad. In fact, I expect disagreement in a Council making decisions for hundreds of thousands of people. The problem is when political conflict becomes more important than solving the problem in front of you.

I would also push for clearer accountability: define goals, identify funding, establish measurable results, and report publicly on whether we achieved them. Portland does not need twelve people who always agree. It needs twelve people willing to do the work.

What is one issue or topic that you believe does not get enough attention on the City Council right now, and what proposal(s) or action(s) would you seek to elevate or tackle it? (150 words)

Fiscal accountability is one issue I believe does not receive enough attention. Portland needs to know not just how much government spends, but what we actually received for that spending.

I would seek a comprehensive value audit of major city spending, looking at recent expenditures and asking three basic questions: What did we spend? What did we get? Did it achieve the intended result?

From there, the City should establish measurable outcomes for major programs and projects before continuing to fund them. If a program is producing results, we should know that and have the data to demonstrate it. If it is not, we should be willing to change it, restructure it, or stop spending money on it.

My approach is straightforward: investigate, collect the data, understand the mistakes, prioritize, and execute. Portland has a large budget. Residents deserve to know what they are getting for it.

Do you support the job Mayor Keith Wilson is doing? Why or why not? (50 words)

I am not satisfied. However, I also believe he has been hamstrung by circumstances and a City Council that has pulled him in many directions. I am not ready to bury him for that. I would rather judge the results as we move forward.

Do you support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot? What, if any changes, would you support? (50 words)

That is ultimately the people’s call, not mine. If the measure is placed before voters, Portlanders should decide whether they want it and what changes, if any, they support. If voters approve it and it comes before me as a councilor, I would respect that decision and vote in line.

Do you support the existing term sheet, including the city’s $120 million public funding commitment, for a potential Moda Center renovation? Explain. (50 words)

No. I believe the City weakened its negotiating position through past decisions affecting events and the arena, and Portland is now being asked to pay for that position. I would seek a substantially better deal and would not support going above $60 million if that could be negotiated.

Would you support reducing the size of City Council office budgets? Why or why not? (50 words)

Yes. I believe we spend too much. Councilors should be able to operate effectively without excessive staffing, perks, or administrative costs. When Portlanders are struggling, government should demonstrate that it is willing to tighten its own belt.

How will you vote on the Community Budgeting for All measure? And why? (50 words)

No. I was initially more open to the measure, but after attending an event where both sides presented their arguments, I left with more questions than answers. I want those questions addressed, especially around costs, accountability, implementation, and measurable results. I would not support it yet.

What skills or experiences have prepared you to serve in this role? (100 words)

The skills and experiences come from my record built on doing the work and producing results. I have represented college students from across the region on a national stage and, as a volunteer leader, have helped make difficult decisions during challenging budget periods. I have represented those in need from the state to the county and tried to look at every problem as one with a possible solution. These experiences have taught me how to weigh competing needs, work through disagreement, manage limited resources, and make decisions when the choices are not easy.

I see a three-headed beast facing Portland: business vacancy, homelessness, and police response times. These issues build on one another, so we need to treat them less as three separate problems and more as one connected challenge. Vacant businesses weaken neighborhoods and reduce opportunities causing more homelessness to be on the street unable to make payments which affect public spaces and services, and slow police response can make residents and businesses feel less secure. We need to address all three together, with measurable goals and accountability.

• What is something people might not know about you?

I beat a chess grandmaster when I was in grade school, I have a culinary medal, I am a hockey fan, go knights (vegas). I have a set of lifts for the 1000lb club (deadlift, bench press, and squat), I read an absurd amount. I practice German and Japanese and will actively try not to say any in either because I know I have an accent in it. My nerve damage hit at 24 years old and I have low blood pressure. I learned a bit of fashion illustration on a whim and it still doesn’t make sense why fake pockets exist.