Policy area 1
Housing and homelessness
Policy choices. Expand senior rent help while restricting further housing growth; his council record also supports outreach and firmer camping rules.
By topic
Homelessness
No 2026 campaign commitment on this subtopic was reviewed. On the council (Dec 2020-Dec 2024) he offered a 2021 budget substitute restoring West Coast Care outreach to its 2019 level of $260,000, paid for by cutting the City Attorney's budget by $70,000 (failed, 2-3); moved the May 2022 endorsement of three investments: a larger police Homeless Liaison team, an extra multidisciplinary street team outside Downtown and the beach, and after-hours SAMOSHEL intakes, with a study of relocating SAMOSHEL (6-0); and moved the February 2023 Local Emergency on Homelessness. He voted for the 2022 ordinance that narrowed the camping ban in line with then-current case law, and in September 2024, after Grants Pass, for repealing those changes, which restored sleeping bags and bedrolls as evidence of illegal camping (4-3).
Affordable homes
Continue expanding the POD program of last-gap rent subsidies for seniors, paid partly from economic 'rebirth'; restrict further growth, seek to restore local control from the state, and organize opposition to a larger RHNA allocation in 2028–2029; clarify which areas face zoning changes.
Policy area 2
Public safety and emergency response
Policy choices. Add police, public safety officers and technology, alongside education for young e-bike riders.
By topic
Everyday safety
A substantial increase in police, public safety officers and crime-fighting technology, plus education and licensing to address underage e-bike riders. As mayor in May 2024 he moved adding four police officers, paid partly by moving $500,000 of alley-renewal money into police staffing and cutting the facility program by $500,000 (7-0); he seconded the October 2024 'visibility option' (4-3) and voted to restore bedding as camping evidence (4-3).
Emergency readiness
No reviewed position on this subtopic.
Policy area 3
City finances and accountability
Policy choices. Expand Human Services Commission advice; his council record includes loan-disclosure support and revenue proposals.
By topic
Fiscal sustainability
No 2026 campaign position reviewed. On the council he moved placing the 2022 real-property transfer tax (Measure CS) on the ballot, writing in a 10-year sunset that the council could extend once by five years only by supermajority, a rate of $25 per $1,000 on the part of a sale above $8 million, and an advisory share for housing assistance; he agreed to write the ballot argument in favor. In 2021 he offered a budget substitute that paid for added outreach and neighborhood funds by cutting the City Attorney's budget by $70,000 (failed), and he voted for the FY 2021-23 and FY 2023-25 budgets.
Reporting, audits and ethics
Expand the advisory powers of the Human Services Commission and have the council listen to it. On the council (2020-2024) he served on the existing Audit Subcommittee and voted for its request for fuller loan disclosure in the audited financial report.
Water and climate accountability
No reviewed position on this subtopic.