One of my most important responsibilities as a legislator in Salem will be to defend the rights of Oregonians from a federal government that is no longer obeying the laws of our country, respecting the rights of all of its people, or serving the interests of the working class.
I recently spent months working on legislation to protect the rights of people like us. I saw how timid and cautious many other legislators are, and how reluctant they are to defend the rights of the people that elected them if it means standing up to powerful lobbying interests. But I also made friends there and built the beginnings of partnerships with those legislators that are willing to work hard for their voters.
Senators and Representatives in Salem already know my name.
Here in Springfield and Eugene, you may have seen me at a protest, or heard me speaking at a city council meeting, or seen my name in local reporting. This is work that I will continue to do, and as a legislator, I will use every available resource to protect the interests and rights of the people that live here.
While unionizing Starbucks, unions in Eugene and Springfield showed up for us and kept morale high during our fight. I experienced first-hand the union busting that companies are willing to commit to protect their profits over working people.
Current labor law means it's often cheaper to break the law, pay the fine, and harm employees rather than pay them what they're owed and treat them with respect. We need steeper financial consequences for Unfair Labor Practices.
I show up in solidairty with my union siblings whenever I can, whether it's standing on a Bigfoot picket line or turning out as GTFF launches their bargaining kickoff (here, where I ran into a comrade). From SBWU to SEIU, the workers, united, will never be defeated!
Whether you call it Universal Healthcare, Single-payer, or something else, everyone should have healthcare. That includes mental healthcare, gender-affirming care, and reproductive care.
Oregon has a path to Universal Healthcare. This September we'll receive a plan suggestion from the Universal Health Plan Governance Board. Then, the legislature can vote on it in 2027. More details at hcao.org
Healthcare reform is possible, if we elect people who will fight for it.
Budget priorites are out of order. Revenue is down. Our schools and children are feeling the negative impacts.
Education should be one of our top priorities when we're putting together our state's budget. When schools have inadequate funding, they start firing educators and staff, and can't meet the needs of our families. This is happening from elementary lschools up to universities in Oregon, and right here in Springfield. It means community members losing jobs and worse outcomes for students.
Big corporations that skirt taxes and take consumer money need to pay their fair share of taxes and contribute to the betterment of our state. From closing loopholes that big corporations use to avoid taxation to reducing government waste, I am going to work towards a better education system for Springfield families.
I have pledged my support for the Renters' Bill of Rights because we all deserve safe, stable and affordable housing. We can make that happen.
The Renters' Bill of Rights, as championed by Portland Democratic Socialists of America, would give renters in Oregon the right to counsel (such as a "public defender") in eviction court, end excessive fees and enact other protections for renters across our state. Learn more at pdxrenterpower.com
I also want to reduce barriers to home ownership. People need houses, private equity firms and giant corporations don't. No more corporate ownership of single-family homes.
I am a non-binary person. Trans rights are personal for me. It's very clear that these rights are under attack by Republicans. While the Supreme Court and Congress actively work to strip away the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ Americans, I will always fight to ensure that Oregonians are free to live and love as they want and need.
Marriage equality and gender-affirming care should be enshrined in the constitution.