Issue Positions

Issue Position

Since first running for the state legislature, I have focused on health care, public safety, and getting the most out of taxpayer dollars. I promote and advocate for specific solutions to problems by working with people, speaking out publicly, and sponsoring and passing bills.

I continue to work on jobs and economic development as well. As Oregon's economy climbs out of a low point, I am emphasizing investments that create jobs now, support students and job retraining, and build our infrastructure to permanently benefit the public including energy-efficient school renovation, pushing for improving the state's rail system for passengers and freight, and new community college classrooms.

Themes woven into my work include criminal justice system reform; home ownership and protecting neighborhoods; energy conservation and reducing reliance on fossil fuel; access to affordable primary health care; protecting children, seniors, and consumers; and stable school funding.

While staying focused on priorities, I enjoy working to pass legislation on a variety of other topics where I see an opportunity to help. Specific examples include bills designed to reduce theft of copper and other metals in 2009, and jewelry and silver in 2012; increase public review of health insurance company rate increase requests; get more services to veterans; streamline government and reduce red tape. In the most recent 2015 legislative session I worked to provide minimum standards of justice statewide, protect college students' pre-paid tuition to for-profit colleges, reduce fees on college students' financial aid debit cards, rein in the public contracting process to ensure accountability, and create protections for tenants of manufactured housing parks trying to sell or rent their homes. I also worked to protect Oregon's passenger rail system, fighting to maintain train service between Eugene and Portland

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