Here is my commitment to the citizens of Portland for my first 100 days in office as Mayor of Portland:

I will develop a strategy for building a clean technology workforce by partnering with industry, government and nonprofits; and including a consortium of community colleges, high schools and universities.

I will present a specific plan for a rainy day fund with a target of $50 million to buffer us against bad economic times.

I will work with the council and city bureaus to develop a capital expenditure budget to establish priorities for major infrastructure projects such as transportation, parks, sewer and water. In a clear report to Portland residents, City Hall will stop the current practice of fantasy financing and build consensus for needed priority projects.

As Mayor, I will immediately focus on neighborhood development plans surrounding high schools in Portland. By strategizing with School Boards, trade unions and reviewing housing and retail opportunities, the goal is to build a neighborhood business incubator that engages students and invests the community in helping our youth become active and productive members of our neighborhoods.

Within 100 days I am going to sit down with East Portlanders. The city still hasn’t made good on the promises made for sidewalks, paved streets, sewers and programs that can provide a future for everyone, instead of advantages for the few.

As Mayor, I will ensure that all major Information Technology (IT) upgrades, purchases and other issues are thoroughly vetted by an external public review committee with technical expertise. Within the first 100 days, or within the first weeks of my administration, I will direct the Office of Finance & Administration to streamline all major IT purchases and upgrades to ensure we are not wasting taxpayer dollars with costly and preventable overruns. I will further direct the office of the auditor to do annual audits to track back to these issues.

Portland continues to struggle in funding schools in economically deprived areas. Through collaboration I will work with leaders from Portland’s various school districts and the private sector to identify and establish joint facilities where it makes sense. Without taking away from each district’s autonomy this cross utilization will create efficiencies, save resources and enhance education by greater opportunity.
As Mayor, I will lead an international trade delegation to recruit green business. Additionally I will work towards organizing a World Green Building and Sustainable Industries conference here in Portland during my first.

Today there are 47 vacant positions in PDOT. I will fill those within 100 days and direct them to get Portland’s roads fixed.

Two years ago I put together a coalition of businesses and government and raised $11 million to save our classrooms. That’s not enough. Within 100 days I will engage our businesses to help create opportunity scholarships for higher education and trade industries; plus work towards programs that create green jobs for future generations.

I will dedicate three of my staff to economic development and business creation. Additionally I will develop business friendly policies to encourage the return and recruitment of businesses to the city. With a special emphasis on small business, I will make the Mayor’s office their advocate with no request unaddressed. As we progress, I will make certain small business receives strong technical assistance. I will work to expand loan programs to small businesses and guarantee loans to get businesses off the ground as we nurture a new generation of innovation.

I will stop the Burnside-Couch couplet. It is an $80 million project that serves only a few special interests. That money could fix our infrastructure needs now. Let’s address the real problems on Burnside instead of spending millions to help a few developers.

Contact Information

320 S.W. Stark St.
Suite 415
Portland, Oregon 97204
Phone: 503-721-8712
shoinfo@shoformayor.com