The Issues
A New Deal with Portland Schools
It’s hard to exaggerate the hits Portland schools have taken in the past 20 years. Before 1990, we used to have well-funded schools. Then (a) statewide ballot measures slashed property taxes and (b) the Legislature adopted a statewide school funding formula that, frankly, takes a lot of money out of Portland and spreads it around to schools in the rest of the state. Portland schools have never recovered.
A New Deal on Public Safety
Public safety is one of the primary responsibilities of the City. Traditionally, the Mayor runs the police bureau, and I think that’s a good tradition; as a city commissioner, I wouldn’t ask for that bureau. But what I would do is try to convince the Mayor and my fellow commissioners that the City should join with Multnomah County, and ultimately the State, in reshaping the way we approach public safety.
A New Strategy for Jobs and Economic Development: Make Portland #1 in the Nation at Controlling Health Care Costs
Voters should always be prepared to take anything politicians say about economic development with a grain of salt. Some common economic development strategies are based, not on evidence, but on hopes, prayers and myths.
A Stronger Focus on Equity
Last year, the Communities of Color Coalition released a stunning report outlining the huge gaps in income and education between communities of color and whites within Multnomah County. This year, the City budget office developed a report that showed that the outer East Side gets less city money for certain services – like transportation and parks – than other neighborhoods.
