Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Affordable Housing:

1. Building of larger complexes with a centralized bathroom and kitchen. Micro-units. Like dorms. This will allow for more units per building at a more affordable cost.

2. Find old unused office buildings and convert them into affordable housing units.

3. More quickly approve development that meets zoning laws for more low-cost apartments. This is often a slow and costly process.

4. Build more affordable housing units near transit. Build more affordable housing near state/city-maintained fruit trees and vegetable gardens for low-income earners to enjoy free healthy freshly-picked meals.

5. Support Community Land Trusts. Land is bought by non-profit organizations and which then sells 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. The mass creation of tiny homes. Affordable and quick to build. Expanding growth and access to permanent RV parks.

8. Ensure low-income earners can pay their utility bills.

9. I support a limited mortgage interest deduction for first-time home buyers.  This deduction provides an opportunity for working people to build wealth through home ownership

Homelessness:

1. Rapid re-housing. When you’re housed quickly, studies show it’s easier to find a job and get settled at school. Well-built comfortable shelters can be made affordably and in large numbers.

2. 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.

3. Poverty, unemployment, drug addictions and a shortage of affordable housing are often causes of homelessness. Administrative programs and social groups should be expanded to help remedy these situations.

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

4. Programs designed to assist low-income people increase their income are critical to supporting housing stability. Programs such as the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program can be used more effectively to combat family homelessness. 

5. The availability of Work Supports for low-income households, such as child care and transportation assistance, can also have a big impact on whether or not a household can sustain employment.

6. Build more homeless shelters near state/city maintained fruit tree and vegetable gardens for everyone to enjoy free healthy freshly-picked meals.

7. We need more employees in the homeless service industry. 

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Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing

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.

Black Lives Loved

Black Lives Loved

As your governor, I will foster an environment of love and respect that listens to and supports Black, Indigenous and People of Color. BIPOC. A more equal Oregon is a more prosperous Oregon for us all.

Black-owned Businesses.

Our goal is to make it easier for start-ups to get the financial and legal assistance needed. I want to empower Black-owned companies to pursue land ownership. This is the model that my administration will be focusing on: Africatown Land Trust.

Due Promotion and Better Paying Positions

In businesses throughout Oregon, we can all do our part by advocating for BIPOC employees to receive due promotions and higher pay. Fixing pay disparity will be immensely beneficial to families.  It is a much needed and long overdue first step.

Reimagine Oregon

As governor I plan on bringing in organizers and leaders of Reimagine Oregon in order to go over every one of their policy demands and see what more needs to be done for them to come to fruition. Everything from education to transportation to community safety is on the table.

The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act

Black families have had to endure the worst in lending practices for decades. Redlining has had a direct impact on families across our nation.
Generations of failed inheritance ownership protection has dominantly affected Black landowners. Oregon needs to take part of the UPHPA

Prison Reform & Support for Job Training

As governor, addressing unfair prison sentences will be a priority. Many Black Oregonians have served disproportionate prison or jail sentences for drug possession and minor misdemeanor charges as compared to their white counterparts. We can reduce sentences and expunge convictions where appropriate. Getting unfairly sentenced Oregonians back into society with job skills and training so they can be productive family members is a good start. 

Police Accountability

More can and should be done regarding police accountability. I support Portland Measure 26-217.

Running for Office

I will do everything within my power to support and encourage Black people to run for political office.  Through increased representation, their voices can be heard and their political needs can be met. Government should work for all Oregonians.

Owning Real Estate

Becoming a homeowner is building a foundation for your future. This can create a positive ripple effect that will benefit Black families for future generations. 
My goal is to lay the groundwork and make it easier for Black families to own real estate through outreach.

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Oregon’s Favorite

Oregon’s Favorite

The goal is simple: make Oregon one of the largest known art hubs in the United States.

Wouldn’t it be great if your government supported your creative ambitions and goals?
It’s time to take Oregon’s culture up to a whole new level. It’s time to bring our state together through the arts.

Introducing Oregon’s Favorite:

Oregon’s Favorite will be a new program created by my administration that showcases talented artists of every kind from within our state.

This dynamic cultural spotlight will provide daily entertainment to people all over the world.
The goal is simple: Make Oregon one of the largest online art hubs in the United States.

By showcasing home-grown talent, we can be inspired and entertained while supporting our fellow resident-artists make their dreams into a career.
Not only will Oregon’s Favorite be great for artists but also the multiple live venues that support them. By launching the largest marketing campaign in Oregon’s history, our eclectic mix of performing arts and entertainment venues can expect to see a boost in ticket sales and jobs.

Categories will include:

1. Favorite Band (drop-down menu of genres)
2. Favorite Short Film
3. Favorite Painter
4. Favorite DJ
5. Favorite Children’s Book
6. Favorite Musical
7. Favorite Movie
8. Favorite Documentary
9. Favorite Website Designer
10. Favorite Vocalist
11. Favorite Sculptor
12. Favorite Puppeteer
13. Favorite Graffiti Artist
14. Favorite Novelist
15. Favorite Rapper
16. Favorite Home Builder
17. Favorite Clothing Designer
18. Favorite Hat Designer
19. Favorite Stand-Up Comedian
20. Favorite Dancer
21. Favorite Hair Stylist
22. Favorite Monologue
23. Favorite Poet
24. Favorite Muralist
25. Favorite Magician
26. Favorite Landscape Designer
27. Favorite Record Producer
28. Favorite Sound Engineer
29. Favorite Game Designer
30. Favorite Woodworker
31. Favorite Tattoo Artist
32. Favorite Animator (2D&3D)

CLICK HERE to suggest additional categories.

Promote and Showcase for Unity

A Levy administration will heavily publicize Oregon’s Favorite to ensure tourists think of Oregon first when making their travel plans. Art venues, live entertainment, theatre, restaurants, nightlife, bars, hotels will all benefit. An economy that works together grows together.

I will always support artists as they dream big!
Oregon’s Favorite can bring Oregonians together through fun, entertainment, and culture.
Watch our political divisions fade away as we come together in collective appreciation of home-grown talent.

Let Oregon’s Favorite help to make a career out of your passion.

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Oregon’s Extreme Sports

Oregon’s Extreme Sports

Sports! Sports changed my life for the better. As governor, I want to bring our state together through extreme fun and excitement. To this end, my administration will create an online viewing channel featuring Oregonian athletes and/or Oregon-based extreme sports.

Oregonians. Love. Sports.

Baseball, football, basketball, soccer…our state’s love of these sports and our local teams are well-established. The Ducks and Beavers and Blazers and Timbers and Thorns aren’t going anywhere and we will continue to show these athletes support and community love!

Extreme Sports TV

Let’s also showcase AND celebrate our extreme sports! Uniting Oregonians with a little friendly competition through extreme sports is just good, clean, healthy fun.

Extreme Sports Showdown will be a network dedicated to non-stop extreme entertainment. Yes, you read that right. My administration will be creating  Extreme-Sports-Showdown TV (ESS-TV) for all Oregonians…and the world to enjoy.
The goal is simple: To unite Oregon as one through the love of sports.

Here are some extreme sports that will be featured:

My administration will promote extreme sports and its stars throughout the state to encourage all Oregonians to support these events and its athletes. It’s time for our extreme athletes to get the recognition deserved. It’s time to make our local stars shine bright.

 

Guns in Oregon

Guns in Oregon

Many years back I lost a good friend to senseless gun violence. It took several years for me to process that tragedy. John was a bright man who had a bright future ahead of him. It was all taken away from him and his family because someone was easily able to get his hands on an unlicensed gun.

As governor, I will always support common sense gun laws.

  • All guns and gun owners must be licensed.
  • No firearms shall be sold to ex-felons who have committed murder or violent crimes.
  • No firearms shall be sold to the mentally ill or suspected terrorists.
  • Ban on bump stocks and assault weapons.
  • No guns shall be sold without a background check.
  • Loopholes allowing citizens to easily purchase guns bypassing accountability will be closed.

majority of Oregonians support these simple gun rights measures.

Gun Owners

I recognize there are many licensed gun owners in Oregon. It is not my place to deny you that right.
I will support the right for you to bear arms for the safety and protection of you and your family.
I will support your right to hunt.
I will support your right to be a gun collector of some of the most fascinating relics of history.
I will not be coming after your legal firearms. They are yours to keep.

Conflict of Interest

My administration will not turn a blind eye to conflicts of interest surrounding the issue of gun safety. It is the ultimate form of corruption when the gun industry can spend millions to get an unqualified candidate elected solely because he or she will always vote in favor of the gun industry and vote against common sense gun laws.
My administration will demand transparency from any elected representative who takes campaign contributions from the NRA, gun industry, or any members of the gun lobby.  It should be acknowledged as a conflict of interest to ever vote on any bills or laws pertaining to gun safety or firearms in any way if you have taken their money.
Accepting money from the very industry you are creating laws for should be illegal.

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