Oregon Governor

Letter Grade: F

Overall Score: 39.6/72

1.) In your view, what are the main causes of the current housing crisis?

Overregulation, urban growth boundaries, inefficiency of permitting/fees including occupancy, high cost of construction and materials, poor tax policies state, county, and municipal, current inflationary trends. CAT Tax raising construction and maintenance costs that get passed on to renters. (0.3/5)

2.) What are your top priorities for advancing tenants rights? Please list one to three policies or initiatives you are or will be proactively championing, and provide an explanation of a. your work around this/these policies, and b. why it is/they are important.

Tenants rights are founded on the principal that the customer is always right. As the end consumer good Tenants should be celebrated and protected from excessive rate hikes, no cause evictions, and highly recommended to other housing suppliers if the decide to move on or upgrade. (0/5)

3.) Do you rent or own your residence? If you own your home, when were you a renter most recently?

I own my home. I last rented  a house for my family in 2010. (0/2)

4.) Are you currently a landlord? If so, in what capacity?

No. (2/2)

5.) PTU had been advocating for the Tenant Protection Ordinance along with a coalition of over 25 organizations. The TPO would support tenants experiencing harassment from their landlord. If elected, will you prioritize and support passing the Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Yes, for responsible tenants. (2/2)

6.) Portland’s relocation ordinance currently kicks in at a rent increase at 10% or above. Would you favor lowering the amount that triggers relocation payments if a rent increase forces tenants to move?

No (0/2)

7.) If elected, would you work to overturn the state of Oregon’s preemption preventing local rent control measures, and work towards local rent control with a lower annual increase cap?

No (0/2)

8.) If you answered yes to #6 and #7, how would you champion or advocate for the changes needed? What are your priorities and timeline?

N/A (0/5)

9.) If elected, would you support the right of tenants to collectively bargain their leases and rent?

Yes (2/2)

10.) If elected, would you support a Right to Counsel (tenants in eviction courts are guaranteed legal counsel) and a funding mechanism to provide it?

Yes (2/2)

11.) If elected, would you ask Portland Tenants United to participate in any community engagement process that involves tenant law or housing justice issues? What other groups would you invite to the table?

Yes (2/2)

12.) How would you ensure that policies and processes which affect tenants meaningfully include impacted renters, and reflect the diversity of the tenants affected?

Renting is a relationship not unlike a repeat customer for a small business.  Tax credits for landlords who support impacted renters is a great option. This process supports diversity, equity and Inclusion by allowing landlords to close the gap without creating a two tiered system. (0/5)

13.) Would you refuse or return campaign contributions from Multifamily NW's Equitable Housing PAC, The Good Landlord PAC, More Housing Now! PAC, or similar real estate industry PACs?

No (0/2)

14.) Landlords and lobbyists have often walked away from policy conversations when they feel that the status quo is threatened . How will you respond if landlords and lobbyists refuse to engage in good faith toward a tenant-friendly solution to a housing crisis problem?

The status quo is the problem. Tenants and landlords need each other and that relationship should be rooted in reciprocity and good faith dealings.  Any reluctance to engage must be held suspect. (1/5)

15.) Are there other ways, besides those you have already mentioned, that you will champion housing affordability, expand tenant rights, and fight displacement?

Tax credits for housing providers that keep annual rent increases within the CPI index is a very viable policy. (2.3/5)