Ozzies Policy Plan

I believe becoming a sustainable, equitable, resilient city is possible and something Portlanders would be proud to accomplish. We have seen our city change drastically in a short period of time and the status quo is not serving us well. Our growth has brought us new challenges in affordability, roadway congestion, and has reversed the downward trend in climate emissions so that instead of shrinking, our carbon footprint is getting worse.

It’s time for a different approach. With a city more diverse than ever before, this is Portland’s moment to put fears aside and enter the era of inclusive collaboration. My priorities around climate change, economic development, housing, transportation, and ending the crisis of people camping on the streets means we have a lot of work to do. Join me and let’s move our city forward!

✓ Building a Sustainable Economy

Climate change is humanity’s greatest challenge and Portland’s greatest opportunity. Over the next decade, I see Portland moving into a zero carbon, zero waste, and zero dropout rate future by leaning into climate action and preparing tomorrow’s workforce. By building career pathways that expose students to regional options and providing clear standards for industries to apply to emerging technologies, Portland can become a hotspot for innovation on climate change solutions. The policies I have summarized below will lay the foundation for making Portland a leader in the economy of the future.

Download entire Sustainable Economy policy paper below.

• Zero Carbon Portland NOW

Over the next ten years, we will phase out all fossil carbon sourced goods and replace them with new fuels and materials from renewable, non-fossilized petro-chemical sources. 

• Zero Waste Portland NOW

Over the next ten years, we will phase out all forms of landfill waste and invest in a regional infrastructure that will render the concept of landfills and shipping waste around the globe obsolete.

• A Healthy Urban Ecosystem

Portland will become a city that not only values nature, it also erases the imaginary line between nature and cities for good by bringing ecological resilience and habitat restoration into the neighborhoods.

• Localized Food System

Portland needs to produce more of the food it consumes locally, so I proposed that over the next 10 years Portland will produce enough food to supply 30% of its total consumption locally.

• High-Performance Buildings & Infrastructure

With measurable sustainable design standards for all project types and incentives for top performers, our city will have opportunities to apply its local design expertise while making progress towards our Climate Action Plan goals.

• Green Jobs

Over the next four years, my economic development strategy will lay the foundation for tomorrow’s workforce by formalizing career pathways between Portland’s schools and the growth industries of our region.

• Green Businesses

Upon taking office, I am committed to working alongside the business community to effect positive change and supporting their journey as a partner in the process of transforming into a zero waste, carbon-neutral version of themselves.

✓ Housing & Homeless Solutions

No matter what the job, everyone who works in Portland and chooses to live in Portland should be able to find affordable, walkable housing and shelter options that meet their lifestyle needs.  From those without homes to those struggling to keep their homes, the city is at its best when it is able to ensure diverse housing options across the spectrum of price levels for people.  Our current affordable housing programs leave many people out, so we need to fill those gaps. The policies I have summarized below will put an end to camping in the streets and ensure accessible housing options are available for all of Portland’s workforce.

Download entire Housing & Homelessness policy paper below.

• Designate Transitional Emergency Service Sites

Ending camping in the streets begins with establishing use standards for “Transitional Emergency Services” so that pop-up service locations can legally exist. Step two is to work with the community to identify viable sites for pop-up service centers.

• Portland Community Service Corps

Street clean-ups, habitat restoration, & neighborhood food production projects are all ways for a city-wide community service program to enrich neighborhoods while helping people in need.  My community service program plan combines volunteerism, digital currency, impact investing, and government incentives to make a robust model that anyone can participate in.

• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone

Creating a TOD zone will bring new projects that enhance public transit and reduce demand for travel. Anti-displacement measures will ensure that TOD projects bring housing and employment opportunities to neighborhoods without removing people involuntarily.

✓ Transport & Mobility Solutions

Portland should be a city where people and goods are moving around efficiently, conveniently, affordably, safely, and equitably using locally produced vehicles running on locally produced renewable fuels. We have an opportunity to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and create jobs by investing in local solutions to our city’s mobility needs. The policies summarized below aim to reduce congestion, improve safety, and provide clarity to our innovators about what they can do to help bring us into the multi-modal age.

Download entire Transportation & Mobility policy paper below.

• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone

Creating a TOD overlay zone is about reducing our transportation footprint while improving the walkability of our neighborhoods. This policy incentivizes projects that enhance transit and bring critically needed housing, services, and amenities to neighborhoods throughout the city.

• Safe Streets Initiative

Improving safety in our streets is a matter of life and death for Portlanders; and something we can all be a part of. This initiative is about creating a process for addressing safety and access issues quickly and cooperatively throughout every neighborhood in the city.

• Reducing Congestion & our Carbon Footprint

It’s time we develop new funding models for street improvements and drive the innovation in transportation technology towards short range mobility solutions. This policy lays the groundwork for eliminating our transportation carbon footprint with locally produced solutions and makes the City a vested partner in the process.

• Employee Commuter Programs

We need to start considering our commuting options more openly. Employee commuter programs are a huge opportunity for government and business to collaborate on making our city work better by promoting congestion reduction measures and providing incentives for non-motorized, rideshare, and public transit options.