Priorities

Legislative Priorities

Protecting Our Health

We must remain vigilant to protect our citizens from the impacts of COVID-19. This means continued attention to safe home and work environments, and support for frontline workers. We must also continue working to ensure that all Oregonians have access to reliable healthcare and needed medications. In particular, paying for health coverage needs to be made easier for both families and small businesses. I am also committed to reducing the exposure of citizens to toxins and pollutants in consumer products and the environment.

Promoting Science and Technology

Advanced skills are the building blocks to staying competitive in a growing and complex economy. Therefore, I am committed to building stronger science and technology programs in our schools to ensure that our students have the skills they need to succeed. I am also extremely interested in supporting the diverse community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and business incubators located throughout the district.

Pursuing Social Justice

I support our BIPOC communities who seek redress from historic discrimination and racism. Change starts with each of us and must flow through our neighborhoods, cities and state systems. In 2020, I voted to pass a suite of bills increasing accountability and transparency of law enforcement in the state. I also support the professional officers who are making the changes necessary to do their jobs better. Redressing historic social injustice will require cool heads and open hearts, and I am honored to undertake this work for the people of District 34.

Investing In Education

I was proud to help pass the Student Success Act in 2019 to invest $1 billion per year in our PK-12 education system. These resources will help reduce class sizes, improve graduation rates, improve technical education, increase access to early learning and behavior health and other critical services. In addition, while the pandemic has required flexibility, I will work to safely get our kids back on school campuses where they can learn and thrive.

Strengthening Our Economy

As we work together to recover from the pandemic, prudent use of state resources is paramount. In addition, as a small business owner myself, I understand the challenges that small businesses face. I am committed to rebuilding our state's infrastructure and increasing the predictability of how and where our cities and counties grow. I also strongly support development of the clean energy sector and jobs that help protect Oregon’s natural legacy.

Protecting Our Natural Resources

Growing up in Oregon, I developed a deep respect for our state's natural resources. My career as a land use attorney also served to strengthen this appreciation. As a legislator, I strive to promote sustainable land use and protect the rights of current and future generations to a clean, healthy, and livable environment. As Chair of the Oregon Legislature's House Committee on Water, I strongly believe our work on climate change is not done. Snowpacks are declining, and we must protect high-quality water for people, fish and wildlife, and uses like agriculture and industry. I will continue working hard to get that balance right.

Examples of Recent Legislation

Supporting Our
Children's Future

In 2019, I joined in passing the Student Success Act, investing $1 billion per year in our PK-12 education system to ensure all children have access to the education they deserve.

House Bill 3427

Ensuring Access to Health Care

In response to federal reductions in funding for Medicaid, my colleagues and I passed House Bill 2391 in 2017 to protect health care coverage for low-income Oregonians.

House Bill 2391

Protecting Wildlife
from Poaching

In 2016, I was the Chief Sponsor of House Bill 4046. This bill increased the penalties for those who illegally take or kill wildlife. It is was critical step in protecting state wildlife.

House Bill 4046

Keeping Environmental
Protections Strong

prevent sudden rent spikes that have become far too common in the current housing market. The bill also limits no-cause evictions after one year of occupancy and will increase housing stability for individuals and families across Oregon who have been struggling to make ends meet.

In 2019,

House Bill 4007

Making Housing
More Affordable

I proudly supported House Bill 4007 in 2018, raising $90 million per biennium for homelessness prevention and affordable housing needs, including support for veterans and first-time home buyers.

House Bill 4007

Assisting Low-
Income Families

During 2016, I sponsored
House Bill 4110, which increased Oregon's Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families with young children, helping them to pay for basic needs.

House Bill 4110

SAMPLE
SAMPLE

In 2017, I joined in passing House Bill 2017, a historic funding package investing $5.3 billion in infrastructure improvements, maintenance, transit projects, and congestion reduction.

House Bill 2017

Funding Transportation Infrastructure

In 2017, I joined in passing House Bill 2017, a historic funding package investing $5.3 billion in infrastructure improvements, maintenance, transit projects, and congestion reduction.

House Bill 2017

Supporting
Small Businesses

I was proud to support small businesses by sponsoring Senate Bill 1589 in 2016. This bill expanded opportunities for businesses to access capitol from the Credit Enhancement Fund.

Senate Bill 1589

Safe Passage for
People and Wildlife

In 2019, I championed the passage of Oregon's first Wildlife Corridor Action Plan to increase safety for motorists and promote habitat connectivity and safe passage for wildlife.

House Bill 2834

Preventing Gun Violence

In a bipartisan vote in 2018, I helped pass House Bill 4145 to prohibit those convicted of stalking and domestic violence or under restraining orders from buying/owning firearms and ammunition.

House Bill 4145

Fostering a Clean Energy Economy

I was honored to vote yes on Senate Bill 1547 in 2016. This landmark legislation eliminated coal power from our state's energy supply and doubled our renewable portfolio standard.

Senate Bill 1547