ISSUES & PRIORITIES

Schools are the lifeblood of our rural communities, and education is the foundation of a healthy economy. It is essential that teachers and students have access to the tools and infrastructure to ensure our students are equipped to enter the real world. I support Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs and expanded options for trade school and apprenticeships. Removing public school resources by introducing a voucher system under the guise of "school choice" does little to enhance majority students' experience, and instead, subsidizes those who can already afford private education. We must protect taxpayer investments in our public schools.

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To aid in attracting and keeping new businesses, Oregon must first invest in the basics. Our communities deserve living wage job opportunities and equitable access to benefits for all workers. Tax incentives and targeted investments in small business enterprise, particularly rural sectors of agriculture, tourism, forestry, wood products, and green innovation, are crucial to our success in attracting and growing our local business communities.  Innovative workforce development in manufacturing, sustainable resource management, and green energy will help expand local jobs. Eliminating red tape for start-ups and complicated regulatory processes will help bolster and retain businesses. Providing incentives for more efficient farming equipment, employee housing, and cooperative year-round microenterprise will help take the load off our family farms and foresters, so they can continue to grow our food and support some of our country's best carbon sequestration options right here in Oregon. Raising the Corporate Activity Tax gross receipts to a higher level will also help maintain opportunities for small business owners to stay in business.   

 

Oregon must consider how affordable housing is integrated throughout both urban and rural areas, based on individual community needs, including limited equity cooperatives and other preferred incentives for low-income residential ownership. While recent Middle Housing legislation was intentioned to expand local inventory with diversified housing options, implementation for these projects needs to integrate "affordable housing" minimums and employ a decision making process at the local level to determine appropriate development. to help enhance nieghborhood character, preserve access to public green spaces, and property values, while considering the cost of necessary infrastructure upgrades to accompany such development. Regional incentives may also help implement transitional and short-term housing benefits as part of an effort stabilize individuals willing to work within a system of accountability toward more permanent options.

Transportation, water delivery, electricity, and communications infrastructure must be strengthened if we intend to grow our communities. Based on community feedback, Oregon legislators will be tackling a new transportation bill in 2025. By boosting the number of trips, expanding rural lines within our district, or incorporating more train stops into regional tourist hotspots, the State may specifically promote more alternative transportation options in rural regions. Rail infrastructure could also be increased to leverage supply distribution to and from remote areas, reducing carbon emissions and highway road degradation. 

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