John’s Priorities
COMMON SENSE
What Oregon Really Needs
We don't need fancy words and theories to make Oregonians' lives better. We just need a reinvigorated sense of some good ol' common sense.
I'm a transmission mechanic. Every day, I fix things that are broken. You can't fix a transmission by doing the same things that broke it. You can't do that with a state either.
We need to put common sense back in the driver's seat and pursue new ideas that decrease the cost of living, hold criminals accountable for the harm they do to society, give students the opportunities they deserve, and stand up for good jobs.
None of us want to see people without a place to live. If someone wants to get off the streets, we need to help them. A hand up, not a hand out. But if someone is unwilling, there needs to be accountability. Unfortunately, too many are homeless because Oregon makes it so easy for them to be homeless.
After the Supreme Court gave power back to local governments to regulate homeless camps, Oregon law is now getting in the way. As California cleans up their streets as a result of the decision, Oregon will attract more homeless. We can't afford that.
We have spent billions of taxpayer dollars on failed efforts to solve homelessness. It's time for a more practical approach involving tough love.
Compassionate Accountability
HOMELESSNESS
People should feel safe in their own neighborhoods. Portlanders don't. We need to empower victims, clean up our streets by having strong diversion programs that prevent repeat offenders, and for those struggling with addiction, we need to get help to those who want it, and have accountability for those who don't.
The Legislature's reforms to Measure 110 are not nearly good enough. Under the reforms, Multnomah County can allow those struggling with addiction to avoid arrest AND refuse treatment. That's not good enough.
It is not compassionate to allow someone to poison themselves on the side of the road and disrupt public spaces for the rest of us. I believe in a treatment-first approach that holds drug users accountable. Our goal needs to be sobriety, but that goal is nowhere to be found in Oregon law. Without the right goals, we will never be successful.
Stop Criminals. Stop Drug Abuse. Support Victims.
PUBLIC SAFETY
While students in other states are recovering from the damage caused by the COVID shutdowns, Oregon kids continue to slide backward. As graduation rates have inched upward because of lowered standards, academic achievement has plummeted, setting students up for failure.
Too much of our tax dollars are spent on our schools for them to be 7th worst in the nation. Parents are left in the dark about what their children are learning. Unless you're rich, you have too few options, and down-right pornographic books are on our kid's library shelves.
I will advocate to restore graduation standards to ensure our students are prepared for the real world. I support giving students more alternative school options AND fully funding our public schools to lower class sizes. We can do both. Parents are in charge of guiding their children’s development, and I will listen to their voices.
Parent's Rights, Student Opportunity
EDUCATION
I understand firsthand the importance of women's health. When my daughter was 20 weeks gestation, my wife and I got a call every parent dreads. She had a severe heart condition and they weren't sure if she would make it. We chose to fight for her and after several heart surgeries, she is a healthy and energetic four year old.
I will work to expand compassionate care and resources for women, including for expecting mothers.
Compassion. Options. Support.
Women's Health
Oregon is one of the most expensive places to live and raise a family in the United States, and it's been decades in the making. As a result, more people are becoming "former Oregonians" than are moving here.
PGE is jacking up their rates in part because of the Legislature's green energy mandates. The Corporate Activities Tax is increasing the cost of everyday necessities. Thanks to Oregon's Kicker, Oregonians have a constitutional check on politicians in Salem that want to spend every last penny. Just because they can't spend your Kicker, doesn't stop them from spending everything they have. Instead that extra money is being spent on pet projects, instead of the essentials like fixing our roads.
I will stand up against tax increases and regulations that drive up the cost of gas, groceries, and housing.
Mandates Cost Us All
COST OF LIVING
The Governor recently shut down the tolling program that was scheduled for the Portland area, but she can change her mind at any time. Pro-toll legislators in Salem are looking at paths forward on tolling despite the Governor's directive. The Transportation Committee is even traveling around the state to convince us they need to raise taxes to finally fix our roads.
We can't afford more driving taxes, especially working families that have to drive to get kids to soccer practice and get to work.
The best way to ensure tolling doesn't happen on our roads is having a staunch anti-tolling advocate in the legislature for our community that will champion legislation to ban tolling our roads. I will be that voice.
Oregon doesn’t need another driving tax
SAY NO TO TOLLS
We need more homes. That will require making it easier to build homes. Cities, especially the city of Portland, can lower their fees for permits, which right now can cost more than $100,000 in fees, permits, and system development charges before the first shovel of dirt can be moved. That result will never be affordable.
Rental housing is in short supply. Tenant rights are important, but so are the rights of the owner. Rent control, required relocation fees, restrictions on background checks, difficulty evicting delinquent tenants, and the generally anti-owner environment are just a few of the many reasons an owner would not want to be in the rental market. We can't treat owners as a lesser part of the equation. Keep things fair for both sides, and more rental units will become available.