As governor I will introduce the first ever Lieutenant Youth Governor of Oregon.

To all adult Oregonians, let’s try to be better listeners. It is important that we hear the concerns of Oregon’s youth. How can we know what is happening in their lives if we don’t ask? What is important to them? What issues and concerns do they have?

Outreach to all High Schools 

My administration will connect with all 471 Oregon high schools, giving them a detailed blueprint so that every student who is interested in participating at the chance to be Oregon’s first lieutenant youth governor can easily do so.

Each interested student will explain their top 3 concerns and issues affecting them and their peers as well as how they would want to go about addressing them. We will be looking for realistic and creative solutions and good critical thinking.

There will be 36 finalists (one in each county). And eventually, one lieutenant youth governor of Oregon.

Liutenant Youth Governor of Oregon

Though this will not be an official position, the Lieutenant Youth Governor will play an integral part of taking their concerns and addressing into fruition…with the help of our administration, of course.

We want our youth engaged now to help them build a better tomorrow.

YMCA Youth and Government 

I applaud the YMCA for creating a nationwide youth and government Program. This nationwide leadership program is so great at bringing young adults into our political system. But we need to take it to another level, a more direct and interactive way to hear the voices of our young adults and the current issues they face from every county in Oregon.

Celebration Party

All remaining 35 finalists and their families will be invited to the Governor’s Mansion to be recognized and to celebrate each and every beautiful mind and brilliant idea.

But most importantly, elected representatives from each and every one of the 35 finalists’ counties will be required to be made aware of those issues and concerns from those young adults they are representing. Action and accountability needs to happen. There’s work to be done.

To the Youth of Oregon

Your voices will be heard and your concerns will be addressed. 

Please share if you like what you read.

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?

Please share if you like what you read

After-School Oregon

Oregon spends millions of dollars each year incarcerating juveniles. Let’s focus on prevention to help save our state millions. I plan on issuing an executive order for the creation of a new state office. After-School Oregon.

It has already been well-documented that after-school programs cut teen delinquency in half. After-school programs keep kids away from drug and alcohol use and are effective against depression, teen suicide and homelessness.

A dedicated agency specializing in greater efficiency of our after-school programs throughout Oregon is exactly what we need. A whole new level of thinking for our youth. We should adopt violence prevention services — such as street-based violence interruption work and emotional or trauma-related therapy.
After school and summer programming can increase youth school attendance and reduce contact with the criminal justice system.

Making After School Programs Interesting

Let’s develop after-school programs interesting enough that kids will be excited to join.

According to studies, risky teen behavior typically happens between 3-6pm. Let’s offer young Oregonians a safe and an exciting alternative to being on the streets.

New Avenues for Youth

Music, sports, arts, games and job training skills can be presented to kids in an interactive, creative and fun way.

Let’s look to top national and international after school programs to light the way with engagement and productivity as our goal.
 
A solid after–school program is the surest way to help your child go into higher education and be a productive member of society.
We will be contacting each and every one of the 471 high schools and giving them a proven, effective working model.

How do we pay for expanding After-School Oregon?

Oregon’s Gigantic Graffiti Wall

Keeping kids off the street will also help with graffiti which is an unfortante by-product of kids looking for an outlet. My administration will be introducing the first of its kind, Oregon’s Gigantic Graffiti Wall.  Awesome!

Please share if you like what you read