Oregon’s 7 Decrees of Anti-Corruption

Oregon’s 7 Decrees of Anti-Corruption

by | Nov 21, 2020 | Anti-Corruption

OREGON’S 7 DECREES OF ANTI-CORRUPTION

My administration will implement Oregon’s 7 Decrees of Anti-Corruption to prevent corruption within our state government. Any congressperson or candidate who does not support and abide by all 7 decrees will have an unofficial title attached to their candidacy….”PUBLIC NOTICE: This politician does not support Anti-Corruption policies”

1. Dark Money

We will be expecting any candidate or campaign that accepts dark money or money from Super PACs with undisclosed motives to make immediate disclosures:

(1) All political fundraising, campaign donations, Super-PAC spending must be immediately disclosed electronically/online and made easily accessible for public viewing. Disclosure shall include exactly where every dollar came from and any expectations or requests for action based on contributions.
(2) Like the warning on a pack of cigarettes, candidates must disclose a warning to the public that they are allowing dark money to infiltrate their political campaign.

2. Making it Easier for Third Parties

Oregon voters want a third party. We should respect the will of the people and make it easier for third parties to thrive by giving voters more choices. One way to do this is by creating a state-wide voting system that encourages third-party candidates while also assuring the people that their vote will not be a wasted vote.

Star Voting will do exactly that…allow people to vote their conscience. This new voting system will allow for greater diversity in our government whose elections are currently dominated by negative campaigning and Big Money.
This will of course get pushback from those in the 2-party system, but as your governor I can assure you I will make it my mission to repair our broken election system.

3. Conflict of Interest

Politicians must recuse themselves from voting on any bills, laws, amendments or policies from a for-profit industry, organization or company that has donated to their campaign. Specifically those from the BIG-5.
For example, if the oil industry donated hundreds of thousands to an individual’s political campaign, then that politician may not vote on any laws pertaining to that industry. Under Oregon’s 7 Decrees of Anti-Corruption, it would be considered a conflict of interest and an unethical violation of their duties.

4. The Lying Politician

Lying on the campaign trail or while in office needs to be considered a crime.

Any politician who is blatantly lying to the public needs to be held accountable and needs to face consequences. If a politician is made aware that they are telling a clear, verifiable and undeniable lie by a non-partisan fact-checking panel and they fail to immediately and publicly acknowledge and correct the record, then they need to be held accountable and charged with a a crime punishable by law.

Truth in Politics should be a no-brainer.

5. Gerrymandering

When congress had a 12% approval rating and over a 90% re-election rate we know the system is broken. We will end gerrymandering in the state of Oregon by creating an independent, fully transparent redistricting commission that will follow strict guidelines to ensure accurate representation for all voters, regardless of their political party. Gerrymandering is political thievery.

6. Political Fundraising

Politicians will no longer be allowed to raise money during the workday when they should be serving their constituents. Many politicians spend time fundraising for their future elections instead of working in the present. This is a betrayal of their constituents. This is also a betrayal of the job they swore an oath to do. Politicians are not elected to raise money for themselves; they are elected to create and pass laws for the people they represent.
Only in the 6 months prior to an election should political fundraising be allowed.

7. The Politician & The Lobbyist

All politician-to-lobbyist communications must be fully transparent and entered into the public record. The lobbyist must be identified, and questions must be answered — Who do they work for and what do they want?

Did you know politicians get paid vacations, lavish gifts and huge amounts of money in the form of campaign donations from the lobbyists of special interest groups? In return, politicians create laws that are VERY favorable to those industries the lobbyists represents.

Furthermore,  any congressperson leaving Congress will be prohibited from working for a paid lobbyist firm for up to 5 years after leaving their elected position. They will also be prohibited from negotiating lobbyist jobs while in office. This will help to end the revolving door of corruption.

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United on Climate

United on Climate

by | Nov 20, 2020 | The Environment

Independents, Republicans and Democrats

After talking with the friendly people across our state one issue often comes up. The major forest fires, long-lasting heat waves, the droughts and ocean acidification are all causing too much carnage across our great state. They are getting worse with time and wreaking havoc on our health and economic livelihoods. This is happening in all four corners of Oregon.

NASA

While working as a public educator at NASA I was able to see in real time what was happening to our planet. I often spoke directly to scientists and engineers working on many of our satellites and the findings were alarming.
What we are facing is absolute. The science is undeniable.
Climate Change is 100% real.

Policies

Policies my administration will focus on:

Carbon Farming
Renewable Energy Economy
Clean Electricity
Stronger Targets on Clean Energy Efficiency
Robust Reforestation Policy
Revolutionary and Highly-Efficient Recycling System
Requiring all Public Schools Shift More Education on Climate Change Cause and Prevention.

My administration will sit down with Oregon’s Environmental Council  so we can work together to implement strong action.

The West Coast Solution

Within my first 100 days in office, I will be requesting a meeting with the governors of California and Washington to discuss the creation of the first ever of its kind West Coast Solution to address Climate Change. We can no longer rely on the broken federal government to fix our climate crisis. In this West Coast Solution we need to bring in the best and brightest minds from around the planet and work together to create the boldest action required. The goal is to focus on innovation and invention to create zero-carbon products and policies.

We can greatly reduce the emissions causing greenhouse gases by focusing on inventing zero-carbon technologies. That right there will be the focus of my administration with respect to climate change.

It is imperative that we work together to help attract clean electricity innovations so it is widely affordable for everyone to use. The West Coast can and will be a leader in tackling the climate crisis we are all facing.

Thinking About The Future

My administration will attract innovators and manufacturers into our state who are focusing on future technologies. Working on what? Zero-carbon cement, steel, fertilizers and plastics.

New construction from residential and commercial buildings should be required to have electric charging ports. School buses and trucks need to go electric. All new construction will be required to follow Green Building codes and healthy home retrofits. Energy affordability and low utility rates for low income and tribal areas will have my full support. My administration will focus on creating local renewable energy sector jobs that incentivize local energy projects, especially out in the rural areas. Job growth in clean energy can be huge.

 

Water Pipeline

As Governor I aim to go BIG. I will help to create the first-ever mega  water pipeline across eastern Oregon. This life-saving, community-saving and job creating water-line will be required in order to strengthen rural communities, strengthen farms, combat wild fires and defend against major droughts. Hope is around the corner.

 

Oregon’s Civilian Climate Corps

Under my administration I will require a whole new workforce specifically trained to combat our climate crisis. Forestry management, engineers, farmers, firefighters, home builders, electricians, all being trained to defend our communities from inevitable climate disasters. We have to go BIG and take life-saving knowledge to strengthen communities all accross Oregon with proactive measures. Oregon’s Civilian Climate Corps will focus on foresight so that Oregon will be safer and stronger as we head into the future of worsening climate crises.

 

Oregon’s Oceans

Oregon’s oceans are being devastated by micro-plastics, ocean acidification and hypoxia. This is devastating our coastal cities and we need to put in the time and resources to reverse the damage. Oregon’s ecosystems, the seafood industry and the state’s economy are all being affected. We share the same ocean with Washington and California so it makes sense to bring the brightest minds to work together. 

Oregon Wildfires 

Fires do not care about your political party nor do they stop at state borders. Washington and California must work together with Oregon to help prevent these raging fires that spread from state to state. The cost of Oregon’s wildfires in 2020 alone was over $350 million.  We should shift more funding to prevention and invest in our future, especially as the climate gets worse. You can read more about Aerial Rapid Response Team (ARRT). I want to focus on stopping forest fires in their infancy before they spread out of control.

With the combined forces of a West Coast Solution, we can share technology, robotics, and infrared flame detector cameras on satellites. This will allow us to put out small fires before they become unstoppable wildfires. Within minutes a fire can be detected and a rapid response deployed. Every second counts.

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Intellectual Oregon

Intellectual Oregon

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Youth Empowerment

Knowledge is Power

As governor, my administration will make higher education a top priority for Oregon. It is of utmost importance that we increase both the number of graduating high school seniors AND the number of high school graduates moving into higher education.

Going into higher education immediately after high school should be as seamless as going from middle-school into high-school.

Oregon college curriculum should be updated as well. These schools should focus more on essential life and job skills.

The Importance of Higher Education

Oregonians who pursue education beyond high school are statistically less likely to stay out of prison than those who do not. They are also more likely to live longer and healthy lives and have fewer mental health issues. In addition, higher education dramatically decreases an individual’s chances of being homeless. Those who attend college are more likely to have a prosperous life, better jobs, higher pay and more opportunity.

So the question is, why aren’t we offering free education beyond high school? 

FREE Education

There was a time in the United States when there was a cost to attend a Public school… a public high school. Only the wealthy could take advantage of such an important social service. During that time many congressmen fought to keep it a paid service. Can you imagine if that was still the case? Paying for our children to attend middle school and high school seems like a great way to dumb down a nation. 

Believe it or not, there are still some in Congress today who have this archaic mind-set of advocating against public funding for our children to have a thorough and complete education. A higher education. Apparently 12 years of tuition free public schools is where they draw the line for the amount of education an individual should take in…but when you add 4 more years of extrememly important higher education it suddenly becomes too much.

Higher education provides a solid foundation for critical thinking skills. And that’s exactly what is needed to vote archaic mind frames out of office.

 

Investing in Our Future

Investing in our young adults will benefit Oregonians in innumerable ways. The same is true of creating better After School programs which will pave the way towards higher education. It makes complete financial sense and it’s the right thing to do. In the richest nation on earth, higher education should be a right for everybody, not a privilege for the few. 

As governor, raising the high school graduation rate AND raising the percentage of those going into higher education will be my top mission. Nothing comes close.

To the Naysayers

Since it is proven that those who go into higher education make more money, live longer, healthier and happier lives, are less likely to be homeless, depressed, suicidal, commit crimes or be in the prison system, we must question why anyone would oppose offering a free higher education. Why would you prefer a less educated Oregon?

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Future Of Energy

Future Of Energy

by | Nov 20, 2020 | The Environment

As Governor I will make the biggest push in Oregon’s history to attract companies that focus on the future of energy. Clean energy. Innovation and inventions that brings us closer to a zero-carbon footprint. The future of energy is both smart for the environment and for the economy. It’s time Oregon steps up to become a leader. Under my leadership we will be.

Energy shouldn’t be a Political Issue

It’s a job’s issue. It’s an environmental issue. Don’t let politicians try to mislead you. Investing in vital, clean infrastructure is key to creating good paying jobs and bringing about a full economic revitalization.

Battery Energy Storage

Investing in battery energy storage technology is the smart thing to do when planning for the future. This resiliant form of sustainable energy can be a manufacturing powerhouse for the state of Oregon and create good paying jobs. Clean electricity storage is the future and I want to fast-track battery storage projects thoughout our state. It is essential to a resilient and reliable power grid and a clean energy economy.

Wind Turbine Technician

Did you know, a wind turbine technician is one of the fastest-growing jobs in America right now? On average they make over $52,000 per year.

Currently Oregon ranks 9th in wind energy  and 19th for solar energy. We can do better.

Solar Power

Solar power is the most abundant energy source on Earth, and it is cheaper than fossil fuels. Airplanes can fly around the world while running entirely on solar energy. Solar power isn’t just a daytime deal. The power from the sun’s rays can be stored in advanced batteries. Oregon manufacturers can produce components to make advanced batteries, wind turbines and solar panels for roofs, solar roadways and solar powered vehicles. The job growth opportunities here could be exponential.

Clean Electricity

We are often using oil and coal in order to produce electricy. This needs to change.  It’s time we shift our focus on innovative ways to make clean electricity. Clean electricity will be a vital step in reducing our carbon footprint.

Large investments into research and development is an important step we need to take in the search for clean energy and clean electricity.

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Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Our Community

Affordable Housing:

1. Converting buildings into housing:  It’s important we work in haste to create a committee to seek out old unused office buildings and convert them into affordable housing units.

2. Micro-Units: We should invest in building larger multi-unit complexes with a centralized bathroom and kitchen. Inside the halls will be micro-units, similar to dorms. This will allow for more units per building housing more people and at a more affordable cost.

3. Streamline the permitting process: I want to bring together some of Oregon’s top architects to create plans for affordable houses. I want the permitting process on those designs to be worked through until approved. Why? These plans are now streamlined and ready to go. This will save home builders thousands on permitting fees and prevent months of the grinding-to-a-halt permitting processes. We need to build more affordable housing and at a faster pace. This plan will do exactly that.

4. More housing near transit: I support building more affordable housing units near transit and community vegetable gardens.

5. Support Community Land Trusts:  Land is bought by non-profit organizations which then sell homes to criteria-meeting folks, splitting the value of the land value with the house value so occupants pay less for home ownership.

6. Inventory and allocate public land for affordable housing. Local governments develop a complete list of all vacant land and underutilized real estate. Once surplus land is identified, cities can sell or lease it at a reduced cost—or donate it—to offset the high cost of land and build more affordable housing. 

7. Utility bills covered:  I support Oregon Housing programs to help criteria-meeting low-income earners pay their utility bills.

Homelessness:

1. Homeless service workers: We must recognize that in order to help with the home situation we need workers in this industry. Right now we have a shortage of them and therefore it is taking longer for the homeless to get the help they require. We must make it attractive to bring in new service workers to help with this growing concern.

2. Rapid re-housing:  When you’re housed quickly, studies show it’s easier to find a job and get settled at school. This is the best approach. #1. 

3. Enact a coordinated systems approach:  To address homelessness, communities should take a coordinated approach, moving away from a collection of individual programs to a community-wide response that is strategic and data driven. Everyone is working together.

4. Preventative awareness: Expanding mental and behavior health services. Especially in schools. Expanding drug rehabilitation services. 

5. Housing Stability: We should invest in programs designed to assist low-income earners in increasing their income. This is critical to supporting housing stability.

6. Work Support:  Child care and transportation assistance can also have a big impact on whether or not a household can sustain employment.

7. Homeless encampments: I do not support allowing homeless encampments on city streets, parks, or in front of commercial or residential spaces.