Why I want to work for you

Fixing What’s Broken. I ascribe to the actor James Gardner’s idea; “[We should tell] the system to go to hell and [keep] working anyway”. If the system is broken it needs to be fixed. I’m not chasing power or prestige, and I will be no one’s pawn. I will chase minimum taxes, fairness, truth, dignity for all, and total complete transparency.

Standing for Rights. Never let those in power strip away your rights without a fight. Sometimes all it takes is one person standing their ground to change everything. If you believe in standing up for your rights, make sure your voice is heard.

Fiscal Responsibility. It is critical to establish long-term fiscal responsibility and clear transparent management of our taxes. State services are vital to all of us, whether for emergency responders, roads, public safety, and many other necessities. Ensuring transparency for each dollar is essential to maintaining trust in our state government and needed services.

Representation for Oregonians. I want to be the voice for those in our society that cannot speak for themselves. Salem is too far for most Oregon citizens to testify in person. Furthermore, I will represent the needs and rights of the people and businesses of the Oregon West Coast and not the whims of the Governor or a political party. I will be a strong and determined voice for the people and business in District 16.

Service and Giving Back. I am ready to serve the citizens of District 16 in Northwestern Oregon just as I served my family, our country, and the government in my 30+ year career. I value sharing my talents with others. I want to give back by helping my community. Being a public servant is an important way to give back.

Moderation in Government. I will work to stop changes the current representation in the State Capital and state agencies have made in wasting resources and limiting freedoms. We in Oregon do not want something worse than the California socialist state.

Choices for Education. I will push an initiative to add to the state constitution the right for school choice, with the requirement that the school must be accredited. Accreditation cannot be withheld or have extra requirements due to religionist alignment. The money the school districts get is not the school’s, state’s or Teachers Union’s money, it is the taxpayers’ money. The administrative overhead must be reduced and put into raising teachers’ salaries. No teacher should be paying for necessary school supplies out of their own pocket. Oregon is ranked #18 for estimated public school spending per pupil at $13,875 but ranked #34 to #44 in reading and math. (Ref 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Eliminate Unreasonable Taxes. I will push an initiative to add to the state constitution to remove personal property taxes and the sales tax applied to purchases by any name and non-related fees beyond actual sales price. I will also fight for the removal of the automatic 3% increase on real property taxes, which should be fixed by the purchase price and to stop tax punishment to individuals for improving their property. Oregon is ranked #1 on effective property tax rate on a primary residence in the State’s largest city.

Safeguard Balance of Power and Individual Rights. I pledge to end the dictatorship of the governor’s office, which is not supported by the State Constitution by stopping these continuous state emergency declarations which are not supported by events or facts. I will put an end to the runaway policies and mandates dictated by State, County, City and Town agencies. To ensure an actual agency oversite and passing laws that limit their power to what is specifically authorized in law and nothing more. No administrative agency can revoke rights, institute fines or invoke penalties unless specifically stated in law. I will help stop the erosion of our rights by the current Democrat Majority in both houses and state agencies including the right to bear arms, property rights, and the right to secure our individual safety and property as necessary. Also, no person should be forced to undergo any healthcare services as a condition of school employment, enrollment or attendance.

Support for Community Lifelines Instead of Government Handouts. We have many Oregonians struggling economically below the Federal Poverty Line, and while I empathize with their struggle, many of us, at all economic levels, are struggling in this economy and housing market. I believe that these social supports should occur through the well-established non-profits and not from our tax dollars, our taxes should be used for items that support all Oregonians and not just a few. Have nonprofits such as Helping Hands help the homeless funded through donations.