Creative vision and leadership through collective action

Housing, houselessness, and labor shortages are interconnected issues, made more intense by systemic failures that affect all three. Unaffordable and inaccessible housing creates labor and staff shortages where it impacts daily life the most: Nursing and healthcare, teachers and educators, and service industries that drive Central Oregon’s tourism economy. Landlords and out-of-state homeowners with rental properties continue to benefit, while low income households face relentless housing insecurity and energy burdens that make it impossible to stay in place. I will help to connect the dots between this complex crisis to develop sustainable solutions. 

ARPA and COVID relief funds have been poured into structures and private childcare centers that do not support the diversity of Central Oregon's workforce. Lack of affordable lease space is a common barrier; while multilingual and multicultural providers can experience unique challenges while navigating state requirements for childcare centers. To address Central Oregon’s lack of childcare options, we must respond to the needs of the working class, poor, disabled, and non-English speakers, and work towards developing equitable pathways for providers.

Oregon’s undocumented migrant farm workers and firefighters keep our communities safe and healthy; yet they live with the threat of deportation, abuse and discrimination in the workplace, and little access to public benefits. Once elected, I will advocate for the protection and just enforcement of workers’ rights, including paid sick time, overtime and processes to hold employers accountable. I support pathways to citizenship and will work to dismantle Immigation and Customs Enforcement and immigration policies that violently harm our neighbors and their families.

While political divisions have seeped into some Oregon school Districts, Bend La Pine and others have shown the resolve and strength necessary in taking on politicized agendas aimed at hiding factual history. Our public school educators, children, board members, and parents deserve safe and inclusive spaces to learn or work in, while properly resourced to take on the tough topics necessary to progress as a whole. It takes bold leadership and unrelenting resolve to commit to anti-racist learning with fair and accurate historical context. Fortifying recent education bills and Department of Education guidelines in all central Oregon public schools is a top priority.