STABILITY FOR OREGONIANS SHOULD NEVER BE PARTISON.

we tell one another that life is not fair. if we really believed that, then we would not be so concerned about paying into social services and who gets them. we care because we work hard. often times we grow frustrated, some that seem to not work hard, get help with the same things we ourselves struggle with.This is the quiet part out loud.

10% of individuals that recieve help through social services will abuse that help. 90% will not. We have to stop pretending that we can tell who uses them, or who abuses them. Having ones basic needs met is an absolute right. We as oregonians have to accept that life is not always fair, but housing, food and medical care can be if we work together. We should want that for our fellow Oregonians for the simple reason being that they are alive. That is enough.

My priorities for Oregon is continued investment in homelessness response, but funding alone isn’t enough — people need support, education, and a path to long-term stability. Programs like Rent Well and similar nonprofit initiatives have proven results, yet access is inconsistent and often limited. These programs should be increasingly available statewide as a standard option for anyone striving to maintain stable housing.

Housing First programs have a proven track record of working long term. It is understandable that Oregonians want to ensure that people recieving these publicly funded services, use them to better their lives. We can ensure that accountability and housing go hand in hand. We can also recognize our part to play beyond funding. A part that encourages growth through improved infastructure to achieve it. Nothing is a one way street in a partnership between the individual and the community they live in.

Communities need to feel secure, and those experiencing homelessness need respect and opportunity. Statewide education and outreach through the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Education can reduce stigma, foster understanding, and promote practical cooperation. By pairing direct support with education, we create safer, stronger neighborhoods for everyone.

Food is a basic human right — every Oregonian deserves consistent access to nutritious meals. Current food networks, like Sunnyside in Portland, face waitlists, shrinking allocations, and reduced federal support, leaving vulnerable families without the resources they need. Oregon must step in to strengthen statewide food programs and ensure families can rely on stable, predictable access. Food security has been weaponized by our federal administration as a political tool that impacts many Oregonians. This behavior is unacceptable, irresponsible and frankly, it is bullshit. Oregonians should never go to bed hungry. Our children should never go to school hungry.

Supporting local farmers is a key part of the solution. With federal subsidies for farm-to-food-bank programs being cut, Oregon can create state-level support to maintain these vital partnerships. Doing so not only preserves local agriculture but ensures our communities have a reliable supply of fresh, healthy food.

Oregons constitution has long recognized that affordable medical care is a right for every resident. Today, federal policy changes threaten that promise. COVID-era subsidies that made ACA marketplace coverage accessible are ending, and cuts to Medicaid expansion for low-income adults will force many Oregonians into more expensive private plans.

Together, these changes will make health insurance unaffordable for thousands of residents.To protect access, Oregon must build on existing initiatives like the COVID Health Coalition, a regional effort among states including Oregon, Washington, and California to coordinate public health, vaccine availability, and access to care. Strengthening these coalitions — and expanding participation to other willing states — can create a regional safety net for residents even when federal support diminishes.

Oregon has always been bold in its progressive programs. We will continue to build a state that supports everyone and gives them the foundation needed to pursue their happiness.