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Times have changed but Oregon’s education system has failed to keep pace. Currently Oregon’s education system is ranked among the worst in the nation. The high cost of living mixed with low pay has made it difficult to attract and retain quality teaching staff. Changes in how schools are funded must take place. Research has shown that Oregon is financing our schools 21%-38% what is necessary to be successful. Yet the amount spent per student fluctuates greatly among districts. Throwing money at the problem isn’t an intelligent fix. Finding ways to more effectively spend the money available, making investments into technological development inside the classroom, and investments into continuing education for teaching staff is a must.
Health care is on the forefront of many people’s minds due to COVID-19. Oregon’s health care system has been on life support for quite some time. The Oregon Health Authority has been completely mismanaged under the current administration. Resulting in a disastrous and disjointed response to COVID-19. Certificate of need laws have had the opposite of the intended effect, resulting in a near monopoly in health care throughout the state. Certificate of need laws have been shown time and again to increase the per unit cost of health care. Repealing certificate of need laws allows increased investment into health care across the state and would create jobs in the health care sector as new health care facilities are not restricted from opening.
The housing crisis in Oregon is one of the most important issues we currently face. The impact of this crisis varies widely between cities. Cities like Portland and Salem are obviously very impacted by the housing crisis. Small rural populations are much less so. However, this stands to change as the state legislature continues to push for a “one size fits all” approach on land use, zoning, and building requirements. Rural towns are regularly negatively impacted by this style of policy making.
The 2nd Amendment is a Constitutionally protected right that shall not be infringed. I will resist all attempts to restrict your right to keep and bear arms. However, we have seen over and over the devastating effects when guns get into the hands of the wrong people. Encouraging low cost and safe firearms familiarization training throughout the state should be considered. Instituting a minimum basic curriculum requirement for instructing Oregon Concealed Handgun Courses will help to ensure that all individuals who choose to exercise that right are doing so safely and intelligently.
