I care deeply about the environment and the people who live in it. I am looking to build a cleaner energy future through a social justice lens.
As a Metro Councilor, my main policy objectives are:
Garbage
Expand the use of pyrolysis (a carbon neutral waste to energy process that converts carbon-based waste into fuel and charcoal) at Metro to include a facility that processes plastics
Only 30% of plastics get recycled, the other 70% end up in landfills
Pyrolysis is the most efficient and effective way to recycle all types of plastics
Turning our no longer useful plastics waste into fuel makes dollars and sense
Create multiple new ways to divert still useful items from the waste stream
Prevent items from going into the landfill in the first place
Selling gleaned items creates a revenue stream in addition to the reduced landfill usage
Focus on plastics waste reduction in addition to diversion from landfills
Our trash is our treasure! Let’s stop throwing our money away.
Housing
Here Together and voting YES on Metro Measure 26-210
Current funding for social services programs is stretched so thin on the federal, state, county, and local levels that vital programs which help vulnerable people are being cut
A diverse coalition of social services, community, and business organizations came together to craft a workable strategy to house individuals and families currently experiencing houselessness and to provide the support services necessary to keep them housed
This well thought out policy plan takes into account the varying needs of the different counties in Metro, has an accountability mechanism, and will raise funds for services through a very small income tax on high earning people and businesses that can afford to pay it
Equitable administration of the 2018 housing bond
Oversight of funding made available from 2018 which is being used for the construction of 3.900 units of permanently affordable housing
Prioritizing anti-displacement strategies when constructing new housing in communities of color
Working with traditionally marginalized communities to make solutions that work for them
Land Trusts
Metro needs to use all the tools available to it in order to increase housing affordability
Using tools like land trusts (where the land under the structure is held in trust and only the building itself is owned by a private owner) has proven to be an effective housing affordability strategy
Outside of the box thinking and visionary leadership are needed in resolving this urgent crisis
Transportation Measure
It is imperative that the Transportation measure on the November 2020 ballot prioritizes decreasing carbon infrastructure
Transportation is the most polluting sector of our economy
Transportation pollution disproportionately and negatively affects health outcomes in communities of color
Metro must work in collaboration with affected communities to create solutions that reverse these harmful trends
Promoting public transportation and ancillary infrastructure by increasing bus service routes and times as well as investing in sidewalks, bike lanes, and road repair
Safety must take precedence in the order projects are completed
Metro’s unique position as a tri-county government allows it to address long standing transportation hot spots on roads that have multi-jurisdictional issues, such as SE Powell Blvd./ OR 26 and 82nd Avenue/OR-213
Anti-displacement measures must be taken into account when implementing all infrastructure improvements
Put our children first!
Safe routes to school
Expand Youth Pass for TriMet
As the adults of the future, give them a seat at the table and design with them in mind
Metro Employee Satisfaction
Work with Metro employees, management and unions to create a more just, equitable, and harmonious work environment
Take employee surveys to the next level by reviewing them for actionable items to implement that will improve employee culture
Give reasonable notice when scheduling
Prioritize the recruitment, training, and promotion of women and people of color
Bring back outsourced jobs
Using contractors may help Metro’s bottom line, but it comes at the expense of good paying jobs with benefits which ultimately harms workers
With the re-opening of Metro’s visitor venues like the Oregon Zoo and the Convention Center, bringing these jobs back to Metro